KATHMANDU, Oct 26: The main ritual of the four-day Chhath festival is being observed today by worshipping and making offerings to the setting sun. 

The Chhath festival observed as common cultural symbol of the Tarai is celebrated as per religious tradition and much fanfare. 

The festive fanfare can be seen in different parts including Ranipokhari, Gaurighat, Kupondole of Kathmandu Valley as well. 

The festival is dedicated to the Sun God, with offerings made to the rising and setting Sun. It is observed for four days, from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Kartik Shukla Saptami as per the lunar calendar. 

It usually falls between October and November in the Gregorian calendar. The Sun considered as the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. 

The ritual of Chhath festival includes taking holy bath, fasting, standing and worshiping the sun for a long time and offering prasad and argha to the ‘rising and setting Sun”. 

Chhath is a festival of bathing and worshipping, that follows a period of abstinence and segregation of the worshiper from the main household for four days. During this period, the worshiper observes purity and sleeps on the floor on a single blanket. This is the only holy festival which has no involvement of any pandit (priest).The devotees offer their prayers to the setting Sun, and then the rising Sun in celebrating its glory as the cycle of birth starts with death. It is seen as the most glorious form of Sun worship.

Messages of President, Vice President on Chhath

KATHMANDU, Oct 26: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed her best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters living at home and abroad on the occasion of Chhath festival. She wished for happiness, peace, prosperity, mutual goodwill, unity and progress. 
In a message today, President Bhandari has expressed best wishes for national unity, indivisibility, reconciliation and mutual goodwill among Nepalis on the occasion of Chhath festival that is observed by offering puja of Sun God and Chhathi Mata. 

Likewise, Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has said that mutual goodwill, tolerance, fraternity, and unity among Nepalis would be strengthened with the holy Chhath festival. 
In a message given on the occasion of Chhath festival today, Vice President Pun said that naturally beautiful Nepal has become more beautiful due to diverse custom and cultures. Multi-ethnic, multilingual, multicultural and geographically diverse and secular state Nepal is very rich in terms of religions and cultures too, Vice-President added. 

PM's greetings on Chhath festival

KATHMANDU, Oct 26: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has extended best wishes to all Nepali sisters and brothers in the country and abroad on the occasion of the Chhath festival. He wished all peace, prosperity and good health. 

Giving a message of best wishes today, PM Deuba said the Chhath is the festival of love, compassion and social harmony. It is the festival not only of Tarai region, as it has evolved as the festival of entire Nepal rich in cultural diversity. 

"I've taken the Chhath as the festival giving a positive message of emotional unity and cooperation among all Nepalis," the PM said, wishing that it would help strengthen national prosperity and unity. 

He also urged the people to mark the forthcoming elections the democratic festival. Elections are the opportunity to use right to vote, a democratic exercise, the PM added in the message. RSS

 
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