Chhath festival begins formally

Golbazaar (Siraha), Nov 18: The Chhath festival which is celebrated with much joy in Madhes has begun formally. Crowds of devotees can be seen for Chhath shopping in the markets of Siraha district. 

People have crowded the Indian bordering markets as well as local markets--Siraha Bazaar, Kalyanpur, Bhagawanpur, Sukhipur, Lahan, Dhangadhi, Golbazaar, Chiharwa and Mirchaiya for the festival shopping.   

A businessman Ranjit Sah of Lahan said the shopping during the Tihar and Chhath festivals has raised hope among businessmen at a time when there is no business due to the economic crisis. Businessmen are making more of Tihar and Chhath than the Dashain, he added. 

Sah mentioned that the smuggling taking place via checkpoints must be curbed to encourage the entrepreneurs in the district. 

Marketplaces are full of customers to buy festival paraphernalia such as bamboo items, delicacies and fruits, and new clothes. 

All members of the family in Madhes wear new clothes and eat delicious food during this festival. Nowadays, the Chhath festival is being celebrated not only in Tarai/Madhes but across the country. People have already started tidying up ponds, rivers and streams and decorating them to celebrate the Chhath festival. 

The first day of the four-day Chhath festival is called Araba-Arabain. The second day features Nahaykhay rituals. On the third day, people eat rice pudding and the Chhath festival formally concludes by offering curd to the rising Sun on Monday. The curd is offered to the setting Sun on Sun evening. (RSS)