Chhath Puja In Gurugram: Preparations Complete, Security Tightened As Nahay Khay Begins

Preparations for Chhath, the great festival of faith, are nearly complete. An atmosphere of enthusiasm is palpable among the people of Purvanchal and local residents regarding the four-day ritual. Organisers are delighted as the festival begins today on Saturday with the 'Nahay Khay' ritual.

Devotees will take a holy bath in the morning and consume prasad (devotional offering) consisting of kaddu-bhat (pumpkin and rice) and arwa rice, formally marking the commencement of this folk festival dedicated to sun worship. A special fervor for this festival is evident among families hailing from Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand. Markets are bustling as people have started purchasing Chhath Puja materials.

Ghat Preparations Complete, Decoration Begins

Cleaning work has been finalised at major Chhath ghats (riverfront steps) across the city. Key locations include:

- Saraswati Enclave

- Community Building Kadipur

- Shakti Park Khandsa Road

- Sheetla Mata Mandir parking site

- Devi Lal Colony

- New Palam Vihar

- Basai Talab Nagar

- Surat Nagar Phase-2

- Rajendra Park

- Ryan Enclave

- Sneh Vihar Chhath Ghat

Decoration work has now commenced at these ghats. Organisers have started adorning them with diyas, flowers, and colorful streamers. At several locations, local residents have collectively contributed funds to enhance the beauty of the ghats. Programs featuring traditional Chhath songs, folk dances, and bhajan-kirtan (devotional songs) are planned.

Strict Security Arrangements Planned

Considering the large crowds expected during Chhath Puja, the police are planning special security arrangements at all major ghats. Women police personnel and volunteers will be deployed. Major ghats will also be monitored using drone cameras.

Organisers confirmed that a meeting was held with Police Commissioner Vikas Arora, who has assured deployment of police personnel and robust security measures at all Chhath ghats. The traffic police have appealed to devotees to use only the designated parking areas.

Festival Schedule

Following 'Nahay Khay' today, 'Kharna' will be observed on October 26. During Kharna, women observing the fast will prepare prasad of kheer and roti, marking the main preparation phase. The Chhath Puja will conclude with the offering of 'arghya' to the setting sun on October 27 and to the rising sun on the morning of October 28.

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Specific Ghat Activities And Organiser Updates

Sheetla Mata Mandir Parking Site: BN Lal, patron of the Pataliputra Sanskritik Chetna Samiti, mentioned that workers and police administration personnel are stationed at the ghat. MLA Mukesh Sharma will be the chief guest. Construction of the artificial Brahma Sarovar Chhath Ghat here is proceeding rapidly. Committee members including patron BN Lal, advisor Sanjay Kumar Singh, president Shriprakash Rai, general secretary Sant Kumar, treasurer Ajay Singh, vice-president Ramesh Gupta, arrangements head Basant Sharma, Om Prakash Singh, Mayur Kumar, Narad Yadav, and Upendra Kumar recently visited to inspect the final touches.

Community Building, Kadipur: Cleaning work was carried out in preparation for Chhath Puja. Committee members including President Randhir Rai, General Secretary Shambhu Prasad, Organisation Secretary Ravikant Srivastava, and spokesperson Rajesh Tiwari were involved in overseeing the arrangements.

Municipal Corporation's Cleaning Drive

- In view of the Chhath festival, the Municipal Corporation has assigned duties to ensure special cleaning arrangements at all city ghats. Following instructions from Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya, teams have been tasked with cleaning and waste collection.

- More than 20 ghats have appointed responsible officers and supervisors.

- A nodal officer is deployed at each ghat to oversee cleaning and mosquito repellent spraying.

- Joint Commissioner Dr Naresh Kumar & Senior Sanitation Inspector Sandeep: Responsible for Saraswati Enclave, Community Building Kadipur, and Shakti Park Khandsa Road ghats.

- Joint Commissioner Vishal Kumar & Sanitation Inspector Sandeep Kumar: Responsible for Devi Lal Colony, New Palam Vihar, Basai Talab Nagar, Surat Nagar Phase-2, Rajendra Park, and Dhankot ghats.

- Joint Commissioner Jaiveer Yadav & Senior Sanitation Inspector Harsh Chawla: Responsible for Labour Chowk, Panjiri Plant, Om Vihar, Sector 15-Part, BhimgarhKhedi, and Vatika-Sector 82 ghats.

- Ravindra Malik & Devendra Bishnoi: Responsible for Mata Sheetla parking site, Kanhei, Ryan Enclave, SnehVihar, Bhondsi, Silokhra, and Sector-51 ghats.

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