Chaath Puja bengins

Chhath puja the festival dedicated to Sun God (Surya) would be observed on riverbanks and near other water bodies on November 6 and 7 at Tangla where devotees will pay obeisance to the setting and rising Sun for sustaining life on earth.

Along with other parts of the country, devotees will throng the Nonai and Naika river banks in the town on Sunday evening and Monday morning with wicker baskets filled with offerings to Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, the Goddess who is worshipped during the festival.

Brisk preparations have been made by the celebration committees , to conduct Puja smoothly with the banks being cleared and decorated .Security measures have also been taken to avoid any mishap during the fest, where young and old alike will take part as devotees and also as onlookers.

Out of the three Puja committees in the town Nonai Chath Puja Committee is the oldest celebrating the festival since 1960. Talking to Sentinel, Secretary of the Nonai Chath Puja Committee Bablu Kanu said that with the help of Police and paramilitary adequate security arrangements have been made to conduct the puja smoothly as well as ensure the convenience of other citizens. Volunteers will also be deployed to look after the activities of people and prevent any untoward incident.

The festival includes rigorous fast and rituals spanning four days, holy bathing, abstaining from drinking water and food, offering argh to Sun God, standing in water and offering prasad.