Overview
- Devotees gathered at riverbanks and designated ghats to offer Sandhya Arghya on Sunday, November 15, timing their prayers to local sunset clocks such as Patna 5:01 PM, New Delhi 5:28 PM and Mumbai 6:00 PM.
- Bihar's Disaster Management Department deployed State Disaster Response Force teams at 254 ghats, National Disaster Response Force teams at 123 ghats and 12,806 local Aapda Mitras to provide rescue cover and swift emergency response.
- The festival follows a strict observance cycle that began November 13 and will conclude with Usha Arghya at sunrise on November 16 after a roughly 36-hour nirjala fast by many devotees.
- Community life shaped the rituals today as families arranged traditional offerings in bamboo baskets—thekua, rasiya kheer, sugarcane and seasonal fruits—while political leaders and public figures sent festival greetings.
- Across North America, organised diaspora gatherings at temple ponds, lakes and riverbanks kept the water-edge ritual alive with volunteers handling registrations, logistics and food for families and children.