KATHMANDU, Oct 27: President Ramchandra Paudel on Sunday visited the Guheshwori area near Pashupatinath Temple to offer arghya—a ritual offering of sacred water and prayers—to the setting Sun on the occasion of the Chhath festival.
Accompanied by First Lady Sabita Paudel, the President performed the ritual from the banks of the Bagmati River, where special arrangements had been made for Chhath Puja celebrations. He also paid homage to the Sun God and his consort, Chhathi Maiya.
Upon arrival, President Paudel was welcomed by National Assembly Member Bishnu Devi Pudasaini and officials from the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
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The four-day Chhath festival, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. Devotees offer arghya to the setting Sun on Sunday evening and to the rising Sun on Monday morning, marking the festival’s main rituals.
The Bagmati riverbanks at Guheshwori, Gaurighat, Thapathali, and Kupandol have been beautifully decorated for the occasion. Similarly, Kamal Pokhari, Ramtirtha in Sanepa, the Nakkhu and Bishnumati riverbanks have also been adorned with lights, decorations, and clay idols of Chhathi Maiya.
According to the Guheshwori Chhath Puja Committee, over 700 ghats (ritual sites) have been set up this year, up from around 600 last year. Devotees are being charged Rs 1,500 per ghat, said committee member Anil Singh.
Worshippers observing the festival with deep devotion remain awake through the night, fasting and offering prayers until they perform the final arghya to the rising Sun on Monday morning.
According to the Surya Purana, those who observe Chhath with faith and purity have their wishes fulfilled. The festival’s origins are traced to the Mahabharata era, when Draupadi and the five Pandavas are believed to have worshipped the Sun God during their year in exile, seeking strength and prosperity.
