NEW DELHI: Anand Vihar Railway Station in Delhi witnessed a heavy rush on Thursday morning as people headed to their hometowns to celebrate Chhath Puja.Meanwhile, Jharkhand governor Santosh Gangwar said Chhath Puja was no longer confined to two or three states but had gained recognition across the country.Railway authorities have put elaborate arrangements in place at the station to manage the rush and ensure passenger safety.“Chhath Puja is no longer a festival of just two or three states; it has now become a festival of the entire country. It is a very difficult fast. People stand in the water all night, offering prayers and worship. Only those who connect with it can understand its significance. This Chhath Puja is observed in many states, including Bihar and Jharkhand. My very best wishes to everyone, ” Gangwar told news agency ANI.Meanwhile, the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government will dedicate an approximately 11-km-long Chhath Ghat along the Munak Canal to devotees on Thursday.BJP national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to inaugurate the facility in the presence of the chief minister, Union minister of State Harsh Malhotra and Delhi Cabinet ministers.Developed along both banks of the Munak Canal, the project is being billed as Delhi’s longest Chhath Ghat and the first large-scale facility of its kind along a canal. The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for Thursday afternoon near Labour Chowk, close to Singalpur village in Shalimar Bagh.Chief minister Rekha Gupta said the government had transformed the appearance of the Munak Canal within a year after the area remained neglected for several years.“Munak Canal had been waiting for its transformation for years. The Delhi government has worked to change its appearance in just one year. By constructing a grand 11-kilometre-long Chhath Ghat along the canal, it is being dedicated to the service of devotees of Chhathi Maiya. This is not merely the construction of steps, roads and other facilities, but a mark of respect for the faith, traditions and sentiments of lakhs of Purvanchal residents living in Delhi,” she said.The CM said, “Chhath Mahaparv symbolised gratitude towards nature, the prosperity and well-being of families, and the spirit of public welfare. The tradition of offering Arghya to the rising and setting Sun also conveyed a message of maintaining balance with nature and fostering collective harmony.”Earlier, BJP President Nitin Nabin also said, “Chhath Puja is the pride of Bihar and one of the most auspicious occasions in the state’s cultural history. During this sacred festival, the essence of Bihar’s culture can be seen across the country and around the world. The blessings of Chhathi Maiya give us strength and energy, which inspire us to work throughout the year.”(With agency inputs)
