Date:29/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/29/stories/2006102901030700.htm

National

Many take dip in Bihar on `Chhath'

K. Balchand

PHOTO: Ranjeet Kumar

CHHATH CELEBRATION: Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and his wife, Rabri Devi, offering `Chhath' prayers in Patna on Saturday.

PATNA: Millions across Bihar joined in a thanksgiving to the setting Sun called `Chhath' in ceremonies held at the banks of rivers, lakes and ponds on Saturday evening. The biggest congregations for making offerings to the setting Sun was at the numerous ghats along the Ganga River, though quite a few of these ghats had been kept out of reach of the devotees for security reasons.

The ghats were tastefully decorated and the roads cleaned mostly by the residents for the convenience of the devotees, some of whom come prostrating.

On the third day of the festival, women took a dip and stood waist-deep in water for making the offerings as much as a thanksgiving as also for the well-being of their wards.

The festival will conclude on Sunday with a second offering to the Sun God, this time to the rising Sun with which the devotees end their 36-hour fast.