Noida: With ghats adorned and the digging up of makeshift pools in different parts complete, the city is all set to celebrate the four-day Chhath festival beginning Friday.The festival sees devotees offer prayers to the sun god Surya and goddess Chhathi Maiya for longevity and prosperity while standing in water. It draws large crowds at the ghats, requiring preparation and a robust security arrangement for crowd management.Expecting some of the highest numbers of devotees is Pravasi Mahasangh Chhath Puja, which will be held at Noida Stadium in Sector 21A.A spokesperson for the group said, “This is the 18th year of Chhath Puja organised by Pravasi Mahasangh. We are expecting a footfall of 40,000 daily but the number may rise to a lakh during the last two days. A 120 ft x 60 ft Chhath ghat has been made for the devotees where they can bathe and offer prayers.”He added that 20 CCTV cameras and five drones will monitor the crowd. Gautam Buddh Nagar MP Mahesh Sharma, Noida MLA Pankaj Singh, BJP president of west UP Nawab Singh Nagar and former president of Uttar Pradesh state commission for women Vimla Batham are expected to attend the festivities.Another notable celebration, organised by Sector 137 Purvanchal Cultural Samiti, is happening at Biodiversity Park in Sector 91. Around 5,000 people participated in the celebrations last year and a makeshift ghat has been created by Noida Authority for the festival. “This annual event has grown significantly since its inception in 2019. This year, we are focusing on creating a welcoming atmosphere for the devotees, so the entire park will be illuminated with decorative lights and arrangements for clean water and hygiene will be prioritised,” said Ravi Shrivastava, a resident of Logix Blossoms in Sector 137, who has been associated with the puja since 2020.In Sector 75, Shri Suryadev Puja Samiti has prepared a Chhath ghat in Central Park. Devotees from over two dozen sectors, including 7X sectors, are expected to attend the celebrations. Dr Munna Kumar Sharma, president of the organising committee, said the celebration this year is specially focused on folk faith and gratitude towards nature. He also urged Noida Authority to make necessary provisions for clean water, lighting, changing rooms for women and traffic management at all Chhath ghats in the city.
Near Ek Murti Chowk, Ganga water will be added to the makeshift ghats to enhance the purity of the environment
Several Chhath celebrations are being organised in Greater Noida West as well. Three large ghats have been prepared for the puja at Ek Murti Chowk. “In a special effort to maintain the sanctity of the ghats, Ganga water will be added to the water at all three locations, enhancing the purity of the environment. Additionally, New Era Flat Owners Welfare Association (NEFOWA) will introduce a unique fragrance to the atmosphere by bringing gulab jal (rose water) from Kannauj, known as the perfume capital of India. We will also have a bhajan clubbing programme on Nov 14 to welcome devotees by blending music, faith and community spirit,” said Abhishek Kumar, president of NEFOWA.In Sector 3, Purvanchal Samaj and Sector 3 Vikas Sewa Samiti have organised a puja at Park No. 6 in B block. According to Deo Raj Tiwari, a member of the organising group, GNIDA has prepared a 50 ft x 50 ft ghat and made water and electricity arrangements during the festival. A cultural programme, featuring Bhojpuri and Hindi devotional songs, will also be held, he said.Chhath puja is also celebrated in the villages of Chhijarsi, Chotpur, Mamura, Hoshiarpur, Morna, Chhalera, Sadarpur and Bhangel.The footfall at these puja ghats ranges from 15,000 to over 50,000, with the cultural evening programmes being one of the major attractions. Drone and CCTV surveillance have been arranged for these locations.
