Chhath: Thousands throng ghats, cook kharna ‘prasad’

PATNA: Thousands of devotees assembled at different city ghats on kharna, Day 2 of Chhath Puja, on Thursday. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, they took a dip in the Ganga, sought the blessings of the Sun God and prepared ‘prasad’ that comprised ‘roti’ or ‘pudi’ and ‘kheer’. Many of them used dried mango wood to cook their meals and maintain the festival’s sanctity.
The Chhath ‘vratis’ will break their 36-hour fast after the second ‘arghya’ on Saturday morning.
Sexagenarian Guraiya Devi, who has been celebrating Chhath for 16 years, prayed for the safety of the world on Thursday. “Nobody in my family has contracted the virus yet and I hope they are safe in future too. Observing fast and performing Chhath rituals are a way to thank the Sun God for my family’s well-being,” she told this reporter.
Saidpur resident Anuradha Kumari prepared ‘thekua’, ‘kheer’ and ‘pudi’. Chhath, to her, “is not only a festival, but a belief that the Sun God can rid the world of all impurities... even the coronavirus”.
66-year-old Manjhari Devi claimed that the pandemic could not dampen the spirit of Chhath Puja that “stands for joy, love, devotion and holiness”.
Several people were seen washing the feet of Chhath ‘vratis’ at the ghats that reverberated with devotional songs like ‘Kelwa ke paat par’, ‘Pahile pahil Chhathi maiya’ and ‘Kaanch hi baans ke’.
At Gandhi Ghat, 33-year-old Renuka Sharma helped mother-in-law Jyoti Devi cook ‘prasad’ and perform Chhath rituals. The Pragati Path resident said, “It is a festival when the entire family comes together.”
Quadragenarian Pritam Kumar Sinha took part in the rituals and carried fruit baskets, ‘soops’ and other puja materials for his wife Sumeeta.
Meanwhile, a section of people has also decided to celebrate Chhath at home due to the pandemic. They have created artificial water bodies like tanks in their houses to pay obeisance to the Sun God.
According to Patna divisional commissioner Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, ‘Gangajal’ has already been supplied to the Chhath ‘vratis’ in all the wards.
Although Gola Road resident Preeti Kumari missed all the fun she used to have with her family and friends at the ghats, she said, “Celebrating Chhath at home is a better option amid Covid-19.”
Rajendra Nagar resident Seemant Kumar Ranjan thanked the district administration for supplying clean ‘Gangajal’ on his doorstep. “We used it for preparing ‘prasad’ during the festivities,” he said.
42-year-old Anita Singh also celebrated the festival at home because her parents-in-law are above 65 years of age. She pointed out that it was risky for them to visit crowded ghats.
Another ‘vrati’, Sandhya Aggarwal, echoed similar views. She said, “Going out is quite risky. I hope the situation gets better and we can celebrate Chhath at the ghats next year.”
Nidhi Sinha, a resident of Boring Canal Road, and Aniket Verma, who lives in Indrapuri, also avoided visiting the ghats this year. To them, the “safety and well-being of family” come first.
Devotees flout Covid safety norms: Throwing caution to the winds, a large number of devotees moved around the ghats without masks and flouted social distancing norms. Elderly people and kids were also present at the ghats.
An officer on duty at one of the ghats, Surendra Mehta, said, “Despite our strict instructions, a lot of people are violating social distancing norms and not wearing masks. It is quite difficult to ensure that everyone follows safety protocols.”