October 22, 2024 – Chhath Mahaparva holy city of Munger in Bihar came alive with vibrant celebrations as devotees gathered in large numbers to observe the auspicious Chhath Mahaparva. Known for its deep cultural roots and spiritual significance, the festival was celebrated with immense fervor and devotion across the region.
The banks of the sacred Ganga river were adorned with beautifully decorated ghats (riverbanks) as men, women, and children gathered to offer prayers to the Sun God. People dressed in traditional attire participated in the evening Arghya (offering) to the setting sun, a vital ritual of the Chhath Puja. The atmosphere was electric with the chanting of hymns, singing of folk songs, and the lighting of thousands of earthen lamps.
Munger, a city renowned for its historical and religious significance, played host to throngs of devotees from neighboring towns and villages. Many devotees, known as Vratis, fasted for 36 hours without water to honor the Sun God and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and the well-being of their families.
The district administration took stringent measures to ensure the safety of devotees and smooth conduct of the festival. Ghats were cleaned and prepared well in advance, with proper lighting and medical facilities available at all major spots. Police personnel were deployed to manage the large crowds, ensuring that the festival went off without any incidents.
Local vendors added to the festive spirit, selling a wide variety of traditional offerings such as thekua, fruits, and sugarcane, which are integral to the Chhath rituals. Temporary shops selling clay lamps, bamboo baskets, and colorful garments lined the streets leading to the ghats, creating a lively marketplace.
Chhath Mahaparva is not just a festival for the people of Munger but a significant part of the city’s cultural identity. It fosters a spirit of community, devotion, and reverence towards nature, bringing people together in prayer and celebration.
As the sun set on the second day of the festival, thousands of devotees offered their prayers with folded hands, faces lit by the glowing lamps and the setting sun. The celebration will culminate tomorrow with the Bihaniya Arghya, where devotees will offer their final prayers to the rising sun, marking the end of this year’s Chhath Mahaparva.
The festival, which celebrates gratitude to the life-sustaining forces of nature, continues to grow in sc