‘Kharna’ marks second day of Chhath festival
   Date :02-Nov-2019

On the second day of Chhath festival, the people belonging from Bihari community reached city ponds and ghats as part of kharna observance. On Friday morning, people were seen gathering at various ghats and canals to collect water, which is later used for cooking prasad. The kharna rituals also comprise making ‘kheer’ and keeping it in a new earthen vessel, which is offered to the Sun God in the evening.
 
In the morning hours, people worshiped at homes and cooked vegetarian meals and sweets with milk. Several people were seen buying puja materials including ‘soop’, ‘daura’, earthen stove, firewood and fruits such as coconut, sugarcane, singhara, ghaagar, oranges and apples for the next day. A city resident, Saurabh Singh, who used to celebrate Chhath festival pointed that on the second day of Chhath Puja, the day before Chhath, the Vratins observe a fast for the whole day, which ends in the evening a little after sunset.
 
Just after the worship of Sun and moon, the offerings of Kheer (rice delicacy), chappatis (of wheat flour) and bananas, are distributed among family and friends. He added that the Vratins go on fast without water for 36 hours after 2nd day evening prashad (kheer). “In families where women are sick and not in a position to keep fast, men observe fast and perform the rituals”, asserted Saurabh.
 
On the other hand, Bhilai Mayor, Devendra Yadav accompanied with BMC officials personally visited various ponds and ghats to check the arrangements, being made by the corporation at the ponds. During his visit, he directed the officials to initiate measures for ensuring safe celebration of the festival and sparing the devotees celebrating Chhath festival from any mishap.
 
He directed the officials to depute divers at the ponds and also to look at the light and cleanliness arrangements at the ponds and ghats situated in city. Meanwhile, Governor Anusuiya Uikey conveyed compliments and greetings of Chhath Puja to the citizens. Governor stated it is a festival to worship Sun god, which also gives us message of love towards the nature. He wished may the citizens of state have peace, prosperity and happiness in their life.
 
CM Baghel extends greetings
 
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel extended greetings of Chhath Puja and prayed for the happiness, peace and prosperity of the Chhattisgarh. In his message, Baghel stated that Chhath is a festival of worshipping Sun God and Chhathi Maiyya. During Chhath, women keep fast and pray for the welfare and health of family by offering water to the Sun God. To respect the religious faith and sentiments, Government has also declared public holiday on Chhath. Sun is the source and basis of life. Chhath Puja is a way of showing gratitude to the Sun. The festival also brings various communities closer and promotes brotherhood.