New Delhi: Millions of people, rich and poor, sang folk songs and offered prayers (bihaniya aragh) to the rising sun to celebrate the festival of Chhath on Wednesday.
On Tuesday evening, the devotees thronged the banks of rivers and dams and other water bodies to offer prayers to Sun god.
The four-day Chhath festival began Sunday when devotees took a dip in rivers, a tradition known as 'nahai khai'. That was followed by the ritual of 'kharna' on Monday when sweet dishes were prepared before fasting began.
Devotees observe fast for 36 hours during the festival. Devotees traditionally offer wheat, milk, sugarcane, bananas and coconuts to the Sun.
This year's Chhath has a special significance for Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, his wife Rabri Devi, and the rest of the family because of the remarkable success of the party in the assembly election 2015.
Rabri Devi offered prayers at a special pond inside her official residence at 10 Circular Road here, helped by Lalu Prasad and her two sons.
Chhath celebration at the residence of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar was, however, kept low key. The rituals were performed by Kumar's sister and sister-in-law (the wife of his elder brother).
Celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali, the festival of Chhath, dedicated to the Sun God.
