CHANDIGARH, Oct 28 — Braving the early morning chill, devotees across Punjab gathered at lakes, ponds and temporary ghats on Tuesday to offer the concluding “Usha Arghya” to the rising sun, marking the end of the four-day Chhath festival.
The festival, which began on October 25 with a ritual bath, drew thousands to water bodies across Chandigarh, Kharar, Mohali, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana. “This fast is for our family’s prosperity and health,” said a woman devotee, standing in waist-deep water at Chandigarh’s Sector 42 lake.
Artificial ghats were prepared in several areas, including Mohali and the Dussehra ground in Kharar, to accommodate the swelling number of participants. The final day saw fireworks and celebrations stretching late into the night, with families and community groups joining together for collective prayers.
Officials and local leaders were also present at several ghats, mingling with the crowd and offering greetings. Despite the falling temperatures, the spirit of devotion remained high as devotees ended their 36-hour fast and offered gratitude to the Sun God, closing this year’s Chhath festivities with prayers, light and faith.
