New Delhi: As the sun began its slow descent towards the horizon Sunday evening, ghats across Delhi transformed into a sea of faith and festivity as lakhs of devotees gathered to celebrate Sandhya Arghya (evening offering), the third and one of the most significant days of the four-day Chhath Puja.Dressed in traditional, colourful attire, families made their way to the riverbanks, carrying bamboo baskets, laden with thekuas, seasonal fruits, coconuts, sugarcane and other offerings. Traditional Chhath songs filled the air as devotees observing the fast, known as vratis (those undertaking the religious fast), prepared to step into the water and offer arghya (water offering) to the setting sun. With folded hands, they prayed to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya for the health, happiness and prosperity of their families.For many, the occasion was as much about family and tradition as it was about prayer. Generations came together at the ghats, with younger family members helping to carry the offerings and elders guiding them through the rituals. The atmosphere was filled with conversations and calls of Chhathi Maiya as devotees waited for the defining moment of the evening.At ITO’s Hathi Ghat, bamboo structures and temporary shelters lined the premises, providing space for devotees and their families. Colourful murals depicting scenes from Chhath traditions, including women standing in the water and offering prayers to the setting sun, adorned the walls.An artificial pond offered space for religious rituals, while bamboo barricades and safety railings marked the designated offering areas. A specially prepared platform behind the main worship area was also set up for cultural programmes.Amid the steady influx of devotees, arrangements for crowd management and safety were also visible. Bamboo fencing helped regulate movement near the water, while police deployment, surveillance and emergency assistance were among the measures in place to manage the gathering.Temporary shelters provided space for families as they prepared for the evening’s rituals.“We have been coming here for several years, and the arrangements have improved over time. However, the number of devotees has also grown considerably. Earlier, the crowds were smaller, but now the ghat is much bustling,” said Prakash Singh, who had come with his family from Vivek Vihar.Pinky Devi, dressed in traditional attire, said Chhath Puja was an occasion she looked forward to every year, as it brought together faith, family and tradition. “This is a special day for us. Coming here and being part of the celebrations makes it even more meaningful. It is a tradition we cherish and look forward to celebrating with our families every year,” she said.Then came the defining moment. As the last rays of sunlight fell over the Yamuna, devotees stepped into the water and turned towards the setting Sun.For many, the festival is also an opportunity to reconnect with their roots and pass on age-old customs to the next generation. “It is not just about the rituals. It is about bringing the family together and passing our traditions on to the next generation,” said Anant Ojha, another devotee who had brought his kids along.Soon, the evening prayers drew to a close.However, the celebrations are far from over. Devotees observing the fast will return home to observe the night-long fast, with the final and fourth day of Chhath Puja still to come.At dawn, they will gather once again to offer prayers to the rising Sun, marking the culmination of the festival.
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