#chhathpuja

छठ पूजा _ आचार्य प्रशांत

Images forever

Photographing Chhath devotees is a truly splendid experience. I always look forward to the light, the colours, and the vibrancy of the festive atmosphere that warm my heart. The images I capture stay with me forever.

Lighting the dawn

Chhath culminates with the pratah (morning) arghya (offering) after a series of rituals lasting four days. People from Purvanchal have carried the festival across the globe, once celebrated only within the Purvanchal region of India. The Hindu goddess Chhathi Maiya (or Chhathi Mata), the sixth form of Prakriti (Nature) and sister of Surya (the Sun), is worshipped along with the Sun.

After a late evening departure from the ghat the previous day, devotees begin preparing for the next morning’s rituals as early as two o’clock at night. Before dawn, braving the nip in the air, thousands of devotees reach the ghat to secure a space for themselves. The fervour and energy with which people gather for the rituals is truly mesmerising. You can hardly believe that they have been fasting for almost three days and have been occupied with preparations and rituals throughout the four days of Chhath.

#छठपर_पाएं_ज्ञानकी_गंगा