The rhythmic chants of “Chhathi Maiya” that had echoed through the night culminated in a sea of devotion this morning as the state bid a spiritual farewell to the sun god.
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The Final Offering: As the sky turned a pale orange, devotees standing waist-deep in water offered Usha Arghya. The atmosphere at the ghats was electric yet serene, with hundreds of bamboo baskets (soops) filled with seasonal fruits, sugarcane, and thekua held aloft to receive the first rays of the sun.
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Logistics and Safety: In Gurugram, artificial ponds were created in high-rise societies to facilitate the rituals, while the administration in Sonipat maintained a high alert at the Yamuna ghats. The Haryana Police ensured smooth traffic flow as thousands of families returned home from the water bodies simultaneously.
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Breaking the Fast (Parana): After the rituals, the 36-hour Nirjala (waterless) fast was broken. Families gathered on the banks to share the sacred prasad. Ginger and jaggery were widely consumed first to provide immediate energy to the vratis after the grueling penance.
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Cultural Tapestry: This year’s Chhath was notable for its cross-community participation. In industrial sectors of Faridabad and Panipat, local Haryanvi families were seen joining their Purvanchali neighbors in cleaning the ghats and organizing community feasts (Bhandaras), showcasing a deepening cultural integration.
Community Sentiment
“The hardest part isn’t the hunger; it’s the anticipation of the sun rising. When you see those first rays and offer the water, a sense of peace takes over. Chhath teaches us that every end (sunset) is followed by a new beginning (sunrise),” said a devotee at the Western Jamuna Canal in Karnal.
