Patna: The banks of the Ganga in Bihar’s capital have transformed into a vibrant sea of devotion as millions of worshippers gather to offer prayers to Chhathi Maiya during Chhath Puja. The popular line, “Hamahu Arghiya Dihab He Chhathi Maiya,” seems to have come alive, with the city’s ghats brimming with faith and festivity.
From devotees arriving barefoot in prostration to others carrying dauras and sieves on their heads, the atmosphere reflects deep reverence and unity. The ghats have become a confluence of faith and purity, as men and women alike stand waist-deep in the holy river, offering arghya to the setting Sun. Groups of women can be heard singing traditional Chhath songs, their melodies adding to the spiritual aura enveloping the riverbanks.
On the ghats, distinctions of class and status fade away — all gather as equals before the divine. “There is no one big or small before Chhathi Maiya,” said one devotee, as hymns echoed across the river.
To ensure the safety and convenience of devotees, Divisional Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar inspected key sites including JP Ganga Path and major ghats. He held a detailed briefing with District Magistrate Dr. Thiyagarajan SM, SSP Kartikeya Sharma, and Municipal Commissioner Yashpal Meena, instructing all officials to stay alert and ensure smooth traffic and crowd management.
Municipal Corporation teams have been deployed round-the-clock at the ghats, overseeing cleanliness, lighting, drainage, barricading, and security arrangements. The Integrated Command and Control Centre is monitoring the ghats through CCTV cameras to ensure devotees can perform their rituals without disruption.
