Chhath Puja (Hindu Festival)

This is the fact that good religion and culture know no boundaries. They are valued and given preference everywhere. Devotees celebrated Chhath Puja this year with great enthusiasm and reverence. In fact, every year they worship the setting as well as rising sun on the occasion. Not only Hindus of Terai but also Muslim, and non-Hindus of mountain, valley and other parts of Nepal other than Terai celebrate this greatest festival with deep devotion. Devotees visit several water-bodies in order to worship the Sun God. The celebration of Chhath puja lasts for four days, the first day is called Arba Arbain or Nahan Khan on which they discard meat, garlic and onion, the second day is called Kharana (meaning the reduction of sin), is also observed in a similar manner. On the third day people celebrate it as the main day by thronging to water-bodies like rivers, ponds, etc. to worship the setting sun and on the fourth day they conclude the Puja by worshipping the rising sun. The devotees also offer prayers to the rising sun. The third and fourth days are more interesting than the first and second ones because the Ghats (the banks of rivers, ponds, etc.) are decorated with flickering lights, diyos, and other things to make the outlook charming, some also crack fire-crackers to express their joys, the ambience is so attractive that none can stop themselves from visiting the Ghats even once though they do not go on any fasting for its celebration.
The teenagers are often in different happy mood because they get to wear new clothes, they become clean and tidy; they eat, move from here and there and enjoy themselves in group. Because all the people respect this festival both with fear from God and honour, none thinks to commit any evils on the occasion.
Almost everyone gets peace of mind on the occasion and this is what they celebrate it for. Women whose desire or wish is fulfilled also encourage others to do the Puja with reverence. They believe that they can get all their desires or wishes fulfilled with the blessings of Chhathi Mai.