• By Kamal Kumar
  • Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:44 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Delhi Chhath Puja: Preparations for the festival of Chhat are going on in full swing as the government of Delhi has ramped up measures to smoothen the 'puja' rituals for the devotees. Informing about the readiness for the occasion, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that this year Chhat Puja will be performed at more than 1000 places all over Delhi.

As the puja involves taking a dip in a running water body such as a river, the minister also informed that river cleaning at the stipulated ghats is underway and will be done before the day of the festival.

"Preparations are being made at various places in Delhi for Chhath Puja; this time also Chhath Puja will be organized at more than 1000 places... Teams have started work regarding that (cleaning of River Yamuna) also," he said while interacting with the media on Wednesday.

Here are the key updates on Chhat preparations by MCD and the Government of Delhi:

1. Ghats cleaned: More than 900 ghats, including Ram ghat, Shastri ghat, and Yamuna ghat, have been cleaned, organized, and readied for the devotees for the upcoming Chhat festival in the national capital.

2. Light-Sound-Tent: Delhi's minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Tuesday said that the government will provide tents, light, sound, and other facilities to the devotees. "This year, the Delhi government has prepared over 900 Chhath ghats. Provisions for tent, light, and sound will be made for devotees. We want the devotees to have a good experience,” he told PTI.

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3. Local Chhath Puja committees involved: Earlier, the Delhi government instructed District Magistrates to hold meetings with local Chhath Puja committees and take their suggestions for the successful organization of the puja and prepare accordingly.

4. Other facilities: Clean water, electricity, toilets, security, medical facilities, power backup, and all other necessary arrangements will be provided at Chhat Ghats. Cultural programs will also be organized at many ghats near Maithali-Bhojpuri Academy.

5. Chhath Special Trains 2023: Along with the state government, Central has also roped in railways to help people travelling during this Chhath season. In preparation for the significant Chhath Puja festival, Indian Railways has unveiled 42 special trains to manage the additional festive demand from Delhi to Bihar. Railway stations in the national capital also experienced substantial crowds. The Chhath Puja Special trains are scheduled to operate from Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) to different destinations, including Patna Junction, Gaya, and Jayanagar, starting in November.

The four-day festival will begin on November 17 and run up to November 20. The devotees fast and offer ‘Arghya’ to the Sun God on the last two days. RBI has also issued a directive confirming the closure of banks on Monday, November 20, 2023, on account of Surya Pashti Dala Chhath (Morning Ardhya)/Chhath Puja.