Worshipping Chhathi Mata, the goddess of the rising sun, in Nepal

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Chhath festival concluded

Kantipur Report

 

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nov 17, 2007

 

At the break of dawn Saturday, devout Hindu women,

especially from the Madhesi community, thronged the

local river banks and ponds at various parts of the

country, and broke their fast while worshiping the rising

sun, the goddess " Chhathi Mata " .

With this, the three-day long Chhath festival has

concluded.

 

Devotees had worshipped the setting sun yesterday

evening.

 

With the increasing awareness among the people on the

significance of the festival, this year's Chhath saw wide

participation of people belonging to several religions,

castes and creeds.

 

The fasting women devotees offered arghas to the

setting sun at nearby ponds and rivers, also singing folk

and devotional songs in the praise of the " Chhathi

Mata " .

 

Devotees break their fasting after worshipping the rising

sun on the morning of the fourth day of Chhath, which is

also known as Paran or Parwan.

 

The significance of the festival can be acknowledged by

the fact that it is the only [Hindu] festival also celebrated

by Muslim communities in the region.

 

It is a festival highlighting cleanliness, devotion and

cordial relationship and goodwill among people.

 

It is the time devotees worship the sun, which has been

illuminating the whole earth and providing light to all

the creatures in the world.

 

According to history, the celebration is believed to have

begun from the time of Dwapar Yuga (era), when the

five Pandavs, while in exile in the forest, had

worshipped the sun, asking for victory in the

Mahabharat war.

 

http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php? & nid=128543

 

See photo:

http://www.phalano.com/