HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 28: The festival of Chhath Puja was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across Karbi Anglong, along with the rest of the country.
Devotees observed the four-day festival by offering prayers to the Sun God at both sunset and sunrise.
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Major celebrations took place at the Jammuna Irrigation Canal in Bakaliaghat, on the banks of the Kopili River, as well as at Kheroni and Bokajan, where the Hindi-speaking community largely resides.
Hundreds of devotees, accompanied by their families, gathered at riverbanks with baskets of fruits and homemade delicacies to offer prayers to the Sun God.
Similar devotion was witnessed at Birla and Manja, where a large number of worshippers assembled on the banks of the Diphu River to perform rituals and make offerings.
The four-day festival, which began on October 25 and concluded on October 28 this year, is dedicated to the worship of the Sun and his consorts, Usha and Pratyusha.
Devotees observe rigorous fasting, including a period without water, while offering prayers while standing in water.
The rituals begin on the sixth day (Shashthi) of the Kartik Shukla Paksha and are marked by purity, discipline, and gratitude.
Chief Executive Member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Tuliram Ronghang, along with MP Amarsing Tisso, joined devotees at the Kopili River during the sunset rituals on Sunday evening. They offered prayers and interacted with the gathering, extending festive greetings.
At the Jammuna Irrigation Canal, devotees began assembling as early as 2 a.m., waiting eagerly for sunrise.
Women carrying baskets of fruits descended into the water to make offerings as dawn broke.
“It was one of the happiest moments to participate in Chhath Puja with my family, praying for good health and prosperity,” said Mukesh Chauhan, a devotee.
A committee was formed to manage the crowd and maintain order, with proper lighting and seating arrangements made for devotees.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Bakulia police personnel were deployed to ensure safety throughout the event, which passed off peacefully.
By around 6 am, devotees concluded their prayers and returned home to break their 36-hour fast by sharing prasad with family members, marking the end of this spiritually uplifting festival.
