Overview
- The four‑day Chhath Puja opened with Nahay Khay on Friday, November 13, when devotees took ritual baths and ate the traditional Kaddu Bhaat as a purification meal.
- On Saturday, November 14 devotees observed Kharna, breaking the daytime fast after sunset with jaggery kheer and roti before beginning the 36‑hour nirjala waterless fast.
- Large gatherings continued at river ghats, with video and agency coverage showing heavy attendance at Patna’s Digha Patipul Ghat and other Ganga ghats.
- Local authorities have inspected and upgraded sites, declaring 90 of Patna’s 103 ghats safe while labeling 13 unsafe, and have set up artificial water bodies, parks and more than 150 locations in Indore for observances.
- Political and official support has been visible, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi posting festival wishes and Bihar Minister Shrawon Kumar reporting cross‑party and social‑worker inspections as communities prepare for Sandhya Arghya on November 15 and Usha Arghya with Parana on November 16.