New Delhi [India], November 7 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal extended his wishes for the Chhath festival and visited the Vidhan Sabha to worship Chhathi Maiya on Thursday.
He also highlighted the expanded arrangements for Chhath Puja ghats, stating that this year the Delhi government has arranged 1,000 locations for celebrations, compared to only 200-250 sites in previous years.
"May Chhathi Maiya bring immense happiness and blessings. I came to my Vidhan Sabha to worship Chhathi Maiya, joining everyone in prayer. The Delhi government has organised Chhath Puja at over 1,000 places in Delhi. Before our government, it was held at just 200-250 locations. For the public's convenience, we've significantly increased the number of sites across the city, and I am very please," he said.
Chhath is usually celebrated with great fervour in the Hindu month of Kartik. However, in several regions of India, the celebration also takes place during the month of Chaitra, known as Chaiti Chhath. It is one of the major festivals in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country.
In some northern parts of India, particularly in the Braj region, it is also called Yamuna Chhath. The Chhath Puja festival began with Nahay-Khay on the Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, focused on purification and preparation, followed by Kharna on Panchami Tithi, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and concluded with Usha Arghya on Saptami Tithi.
Chhath Puja spans four days and involves strict rituals and fasting to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth. The festival is mainly celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, as well as by the diaspora from these regions.