HT Correspondent
Hojai, Oct 29: Along with rest of the country, the four-day Chhath Puja celebrations begin in Hojai district too with the rituals of Nahai-Khai (i.e. ritual of bathing and fasting) on Friday.
“Devotees start their day with holy bath early in the morning in river or pond of different ghats of their locality, and bring some water to their home to prepare the offerings. They take only one meal a day known as ‘Kaddu bhat’ cooked only by using the bronze or soil utensils and mango woods over the soil stove. Devotees mainly women folks keep fast for whole day and break their fast in the evening after sunset. On worshipping Sun, they offer kheer, puris and fruits in the puja,” said a devotee.
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“Four day Chhath Puja will conclude on Monday morning after paying Arghyadaan (oblation) to the rising Sun,” another devotee added.
“During the Chhath celebrations, we pray to the Sun God. It is a festival connected with purity, devotion to the Sun God who is considered as the source of life on this earth and is regarded as the deity who fulfills all our wishes,” said Vinod Gupta, member of Surya Shasti Mahoutsav Samity to this correspondent at Shivbari Ghat here.
“Preparation for Chhath Puja are at final stage here at Sri Sri Surya Sasthi Mahoutsav Samity, Natun Bazar ghat,” said Amit Gupta, president of Surya Shasti Mahoutsav Samity.
Simultaneously, preparations are in final stage in the several other ghats nearby Hojai and Vedis of Shivbari, Natun Bazar, Amtola, Theliibasti, Shildubi, Mandoli ghats are being allotted, the ghats are cleaned, pandals for Surya Idol are being erected with sparkling decorations and artisans are busy in giving final touch to the idol of Sun God. In the market, vendors are seen busy in selling the items of the puja dalaa, Shup, thokari (bamboo busket), earthen lamp, fruits, sweets, ladies items like bindi, bangles etc as they are in demand.
