President Bhandari offers Puja to Chhathi Mai

Kathmandu, Oct 30: President Bidya Devi Bhandari has worshipped Chhathi Mai by reaching the Chhath Puja site built on the bank of Bagmati River near Guheshwori Temple in Pashupatinath Temple area in Kathmandu this evening. 

President Bhandari, on the occasion of Chhath festival today, offered prayers and made offerings to the setting sun. There has been a tradition for some years that the Head of the State visits the Chhath Puja site either in Guheshwori Temple area, Kamal Pokhari or Rani Pokhari to worship Chhathi Mai and make offerings to the Sun God on the Chhath festival. 

Today is the main day of the four-day Chhath festival when the offerings are made to the setting sun while the devotees worship the Sun God by making offerings to the rising sun preferably being around the ponds, lakes and rivers.

Chhath festival is celebrated for four days from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi as per the lunar calendar and today is the main day of the four-day festivity.

Over 600 venues were set in the Guheshwori Temple area where the statutes of Chhathi Mai built of mud were installed and worshipped, informed Chairman of Chhath Puja Committee Anil Singh. 

Chhath festival comes to an end after an offering is made to the rising sun tomorrow morning. Devotees, especially those observing fasting on the day,     today stay awake the whole night. 

It is believed that by observing fasting and worshipping Chhathi Mai, the devotees are granted their wishes.(RSS)