A sea of devotees converged along the Balua Ghat riverbank in Prayagraj to offer Arghya (holy offering) to the rising sun on the final day of the sacred festival Chhath, a celebration deeply rooted in Indian tradition and faith.
Even before dawn, around 4 a.m., fasting women and their families began arriving at the ghats, carrying baskets filled with offerings and their hearts filled with devotion.
Amid the soft winter mist, as the first rays of the sun appeared, women stood waist-deep in the Yamuna, offering prayers for the long life, well-being, and prosperity of their children and families.
Before presenting Arghya, the devotees purified the sacred space by sprinkling river water, lighting lamps, and preparing the vedi (prayer altar) adorned with sugarcane stalks, earthen lamps, fruits, and traditional delicacies.
They offered soop filled with coconuts, sugarcane, and other sacred items, first to the setting sun on the previous evening and now to the rising sun — symbolizing gratitude, hope, and renewal.
Devotion Beyond Borders
The devotion of Chhath resonated far beyond India’s shores. Across the world, Indian communities upheld the tradition with equal reverence.
Spiritual Grandeur Across Prayagraj
Across Prayagraj — at Sangam, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Ram Ghat, Gau Ghat, Mauj Giri Ghat, Kalighat, Bargad Ghat, Rasulabad, Shivkuti, Jhunsi, and Phaphamau — thousands stood in silent prayer, completing their 36-hour fast without water.
After the offering, families broke the fast with the sacred prasad, sharing it joyfully with fellow devotees, neighbors, and even strangers — spreading sweetness and blessings.
Women, dressed in vibrant saris with vermilion (sindoor) running from nose to forehead, stood devotedly in the cold water, softly singing traditional Chhath folk songs. One echoed through the ghats:
Clouds delayed the appearance of the sun, but devotees continued offering prayers from 6:08 a.m. onward, chanting praises of Chhathi Maiya and Lord Surya.
Copper vessels filled with cow’s milk and river water poured gracefully into the flowing river as chants reverberated across the banks.
After the ritual, women took blessings from elders by touching their feet, embraced their loved ones, and lovingly distributed prasad — offering not just food, but shared faith, togetherness, and hope.
A Festival of Faith, Purity, and Gratitude
Chhath, the festival of purity, discipline, and unwavering devotion, once again illuminated the ghats with faith stronger than the morning sun, reminding everyone of the eternal bond between nature, prayer, and family.
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