Ranchi, Nov 15 Thousands of devotees on Sunday gathered at ghats along rivers and water bodies across Jharkhand and worshipped Goddess ‘Chhathi Maiya’ by offering ‘arghya’ to the setting sun.
The devotees carried bamboo baskets filled with traditional offerings on the third day of the four-day-long Chhath Puja.
The second ‘arghya’ will be offered to the rising sun on Monday, marking the culmination of the festivities.
Earlier in the day, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar extended greetings to people on the occasion.
“Heartfelt greetings to all devotees on the great festival of faith, ‘Chhath’. Offering prayers to the setting sun and worshipping the rising sun symbolise our unwavering faith and gratitude toward nature,” Gangwar said in a social media post.
“May Lord Bhaskar and Chhathi Maiya bless all those observing the fast with happiness, good health, and prosperity,” he said.
Ponds, dams, lakes and reservoirs across the state were cleaned, illuminated and barricaded ahead of the Chhath Puja rituals, a senior official said.
A total of 72 water bodies within the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) limits are being used as Chhath ghats in the city, he said.
All necessary arrangements for the security and safety of devotees have been made at major water bodies, including Kanke Dam, Bada Talab, Hatia Dam and the Raj Bhawan Pond, the official said.
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said barricades have been installed at vulnerable water bodies to ensure the safety of devotees.
Divers and rescue teams were also on standby in case of any emergency, he said.
Similar arrangements were made in Dhanbad, East Singhbhum, Palamu, Garhwa, Latehar, Hazaribagh, Khunti and other districts, officials said.
(PTI News)
