Chhath festival begins from today

October 31 : The rituals associated with the Chhath festival have begun from today.

The Arba Arbain ritual is being observed today which is also known as Nuhaye khaye.

On the second day, tomorrow the Kharana ritual will be observed which is also known as diluting away the sins. Devotees offer rice pudding to the moon after moon rise and partake this offering.

On the third day of the festival (Shasthi), various delicacies are prepared out of the flour of rice and wheat grains grinded in traditional grinders (okhal, jaanto or dhiki). All the members of the family go to the assigned water body, ponds or the bank of the river, carrying a variety of offerings, amidst the singing of devotional and folk songs.

This year on Saturday evening the devotees go to river banks to worship the evening sun and break their fasting on Sunday Morning.

The Chhath festival which used to be marked only in the Mithilanchal region before is now celebrated in the hilly areas and other regions as well.