Kathmandu, Nov. 17: Preparations for Chhath Puja have reached the final stage in Kathmandu. Ponds and rivers in 21 different locations in Kathmandu, including Gaurighat, Kamal Pokhari, Bishnumati and Nakkhu are being decorated for Chhat Puja.
Anil Singh, chair of the Gaurighat Chhat Puja Management Committee, said that works like cleaning the banks of the rivers and ponds, removing trash and installing tents, tarpaulin and lights have also reached the final stage. He further said the committee would provide free service to the economically poor people who cannot afford to pay Rs. 1,500 charge to observe the festival.
“The ritual of offering prayers to the setting Sun will begin at 4.00 pm on Sunday evening after President Ramchandra Paudel inaugurates the puja process, and the ritual of greeting the rising Sun starts from 5 am on Monday,” Singh said. The Chhath worshipping area along the Bagmati River has been cleaned while the water flow has been changed, he said.
Altogether 21 Chhath worshiping points are designated in different places of the Kathmandu Valley including Gaurighat, Kamalpokhari, Bishnumati, Nakhkhu, Kupandol and Balkhu and other places, he informed. Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT) has provided Rs. 300,000 and Ward No. 8 has provided Rs. 250,000 to the committee for the celebration of Chhath Puja.
“Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has taken the responsibility of managing the festival in Kamalpokhari. The KMC has managed tents for the devotees and has undertaken the responsibility of setting light system and other necessary requirements,” said Rajendra Singh, president of Chhath Puja Society of Kamalpokhari.
He said, “We have already cleaned the pond for Chhath and the works to set lights system are underway.”He further said the committee would provide free service to all devotees and it has managed space to accommodate 300 families to observe the festival.
Singh said that “We have invited the President, Vice-President, Mayor and Deputy-Mayor of KMC, ward chairs of ward nos. 1, 28 and 30 and people’s representatives too are invited for Chhath festival.”
Chhath festival is celebrated from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Kartik Sukla Saptami by worshipping the setting and the rising sun. Sun is revered as a god and worshipped by making various offerings in Chhath Puja.
Comments