Thane readies for four-day Chhath Puja with artificial ponds and cultural events

Preparations are in full swing in Thane city for the four-day Chhath Puja. After Diwali, devotees are now busy readying for this major festival of popular faith. The rituals began on Friday with 'Nahay Khay'. Arrangements for the puja have been made at ponds in the city and nearby.

On the second day of the festival, November 14, women will observe a day-long fast for 'Kharna'. In the evening they will light a new stove in their kitchens. As prasad, they will eat kheer made with sugarcane juice or jaggery. On November 15, the women observing the fast will offer arghya to the setting sun. On November 16, after offering arghya to the rising sun, they will break the fast and observe Parana.

Organisations associated with Chhath Puja are busy finalising preparations. At places such as Raila Devi Lake, Upvan, Brahmand, Kolshet and the Maftlal ground pond in Kalwa, work is under way at speed to build artificial ponds, clean the sites and put up pandals for cultural programmes. People from the film world and political leaders will take part in these programmes.

The municipal corporation and the police administration are also preparing. Many people from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh live in Thane and surrounding areas, so Chhath Puja is celebrated here with great fervour. An artificial pond is being built at the Upvan lake premises. Special preparations are also being made at the Raila Devi Lake premises in Wagle Estate.

The Raila Devi Talao Chhath Maiya Puja Seva Samiti is arranging lighting and cleaning. According to the committee's president, Kuldeep Tiwari, the event has been held for the past 22 years. A large-scale Chhath Puja has been organised at the Raila Devi Lake premises under the leadership of Shashi Kumar Yadav, district president of the Shiv Sena Hindi-speaking cell.

In the Kolshet area, the Chhath Mata Puja Utsav Samiti is organising the event under the leadership of Sanjay Singh. Ravi Singh, president of the Uttar Bharatiya Seva Samiti, Rishikesh Kahar and a few others are involved in finalising the preparations.

At the Maftlal ground premises in Kalwa, the Hindi-speaking wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) is organising Chhath Puja. Santosh Tiwari, district president of the wing, said a cultural programme has been arranged as part of the puja. Singer Sunil Tiwari and other artistes will entertain those attending.

At the Upvan premises, Dhananjay Singh, president of Rudra Pratishthan, said the organisation has been holding Chhath Puja for several years. An artificial pond is being built this year. The organisation is also providing changing facilities for women. All necessary arrangements are being made so that Chhath devotees face no inconvenience.