Kathmandu, Nov 2 : President Bidya Devi Bhandari has offered prayers to the temple of Chhathi Mata (the goddess of power) set up in the middle of the Bagmati River at Guheshwori today.     
In order to offer Chhath worships, President Bhandari reached the temple established in the mid part of the pond which was created after diverting water current of the Bagmati river from Gaurighat to Guheshwori.    
Worships along with arghya are offered to the setting sun in the evening on the main day of the Chhath today.    
More than 650 pooja sites have been arranged along the banks of the river in the area. Both the sides of the river have been illuminated with electric lights.    
The festival celebrated from the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartik (October-November) had begun on last Thursday. It is the four-day festival that is dedicated to the God of Sun and Goddess of Power (Chhati Mata).    
According to the Hindu Scripture, Mahabgarata, Draupadi along with five Pandavas (the mythological character) had offered worships to the god of Sun wishing their exile life a success. The festival began since then.    
There is a belief that fasting observed during the Chhath festival would relieve people of trouble and starvation.    
     The festival is being celebrated with fanfare on the banks of rivers, including Guheshwori, Gahanapokhari, Kamalpokhari, Bagmati, Balkhu, Nakhkhu and Bishnumati in the capital city of Kathmandu.