Stage set for Chhath Puja on banks of Tapi in Surat

SURAT: Elaborate preparations have been made for Chhath Puja, the sacred festival of people from Bihar and Jharkhand, who are in large numbers in the Diamond City.
Several groups were sceptical about the scale of the event considering the Covid-19 restrictions imposed in the city.
Every year, thousands of devotees throng Tapi River bank on the sixth day of New Year of Vikram Samvat to worship the sun.The city has an estimated population of over three lakh migrants from Bihar and Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, migrants have started preparation at 25 places on Tapi riverbank. Eight major organising groups have approached police for permission and they have been allowed to limit the number of participants upto 400 at a time.
Prasad Yadav, president of Bihar Vikas Mandal said, "For the last 28 years, we have been observing Chhath Puja at weir-cum-causeway near Singanpore. In 2020, post lockdown majority of migrants went to their native places and gradually returned as industrial and commercial activities resumed."
“In Chhath Puja. most women observe day-long fast. In a few families, men also join the women in fasting. On Wednesday, people will perform prayers of the setting sun and perform puja of rising sun on Thursday. This year , we started arrangements very late as we are awaiting official permission to hold the event,” Yadav added.
“On Tuesday different department officials visited pooja places and gave instructions which will be helpful to maintain covid protocol. We also request people to follow government rules and regulations for covid and celebrate the festival,” said an organiser.
A senior police officer who visited the river bank at weir-cum-causeway said, “We gave some suggestions to organizers which will help them to observe Covid protocol. We expect people will perform puja with face masks and social distance after all it is for their own health and safety.”
Ajay Chaudhary, president of Samast Bihar-Jharkhand Samaj Trust said, “Since the last six years we have been doing public co-ordination during Chhath Puja at Parle Point. This year we will allow only two members from each family. The walkway behind the Ambajee temple is very long so we will request people to see the celebration from there.”
“The organizers have been allowed to celebrate the festival with a limit of 400 people. Organisers will have to ensure that Covid-19 restrictions are followed strictly,” said a senior police official.