Hyderabad Prepares for Grand Chhath Puja Celebration
The Diwali festivities may be over, but the spirit of celebration continues in Hyderabad. The Bihari community is now getting ready for the vibrant Chhath Puja, a festival dedicated to worshipping the Sun God. This year, the celebrations are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with preparations already underway at 22 Ghats, including the famous Hussain Sagar Lake.
Arrangements in Full Swing
Efforts are being made to ensure everything is in place for the festival at all 22 artificial ponds and baby ponds. Key locations include Tank Bund (Bathukamma Ghat-Children Park), Fox Sagar, Uppal, and Jala Vihar Necklace Road. Two major organizations, Jan Seva Sangh and the Bihar Association, Hyderabad, have coordinated with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to facilitate arrangements. These include filling the ponds with water, setting up small stages, placing chairs and tents, and ensuring proper lighting at all the sites.
What is Chhath Puja?
Chhath is a four-day-long Hindu festival that occurs six days after Diwali, typically in late October or early November. It is dedicated to worshipping the Sun God and is particularly important for people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and the Terai region of Nepal. The festival is unique as it involves offering prayers to both the setting and rising sun. These communities, who have been living in Hyderabad for decades, are preparing to celebrate the festival with great enthusiasm and traditional fervor.
Community Involvement
Manvendra Mishra, advisor and former president of the Bihar Association Hyderabad, shared that all necessary arrangements have been made at the water bodies. He mentioned that for several years, with the support of the Telangana government, Chhath Puja has been celebrated in Hyderabad in a similar fashion to how it is observed in Bihar. The four-day rituals began on November 5, and the important third day—when prayers are offered to the setting sun—will be observed by gathering near the lakes. On Friday, the final day of the festival, prayers will be offered to the rising sun.
Grand Celebrations Planned
Hare Ram Singh, president of the Bihar Association Hyderabad, said that this year’s celebration will be grander than ever. He noted that around 54 artificial boxes have been set up for women to stand in while offering prayers to the Sun God. Cultural programs are also planned to take place after the prayers. Singh estimated that about 7,000 people are expected to participate in the festival this year, maintaining the same zeal and traditions that are observed in Bihar.
