Gorakhpur: The four-day Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals dedicated to the worship of Surya (sun) Dev, will begin on Friday with the nahay-khay ritual. Preparations are in full swing across Gorakhpur, as markets buzz with activity and households gear up for the festival. From urban localities to rural areas, devotees are busy planning for the elaborate rituals.Riverbanks, ponds and temporary ghats across the city are being cleaned and decorated, while special platforms are being constructed for devotees to perform the rituals. The festival will conclude on Monday morning with devotees offering ‘arghya’ to the rising sun.According to Sandeep Rai, ‘nahay-khay’ is marked by ritual bathing and preparation of food while observing strict cleanliness and purity. Traditionally, devotees prepare kaddu-bhaat (pumpkin and rice) as prasad, marking the beginning of the four-day festival.The second day will be observed as ‘Kharna’. Devotees will observe a day-long fast and break it in the evening after offering prayers and consuming prasad. This will be followed by the rigorous ‘nirjala’ (partaking of not even water) fast.On the third day, devotees will gather at rivers, ponds and other Chhath ghats in the evening to worship Chhathi Maiya and offer ‘arghya’ to the setting sun with milk and water. Baskets containing seasonal fruits, ‘thekua’, rice laddoos and other traditional offerings will be presented to Surya Dev. Devotees will remain awake at night, singing devotional songs and listening to the Chhath Maiya Katha.On the concluding day, devotees will offer ‘arghya’ to the rising sun. The morning rituals will be followed by prayers and ‘paran’, bringing the four-day festival to an end.
