Chhath festival begins formally

The Chhath festival which is celebrated with much joy in Madhes has begun formally. Crowds of devotees can be seen for Chhath shopping in the markets of Siraha district.

People have crowded the Indian bordering markets as well as local markets--Siraha bazaar, Kalyanpur, Bhagawanpur, Sukhipur, Lahan, Dhangadhi, Golbazaar, Chiharwa and Mirchaiya for the festival shopping.

A businessman Ranjit Sah of Lahan said the shopping during Tihar and Chhath festivals has raised hope among the businessmen at a time when there is no business due to economic crisis. Businessmen are making most of Tihar and Chhath than the Dashain, he added.

Sah mentioned that the smuggling taking place via check points must be curbed to encourage the entrepreneurs in the district.

Marketplaces are full of customers to buy festival paraphernalia as bamboo items, delicacies and fruits, and new clothes.

All members of the family in Madhes wear new clothes and eat delicious foods during this festival. Nowadays, Chhath festival is being celebrated not only in Tarai/Madhes, but across the country. People have already started tidying up ponds, rivers and stream and decorating them to celebrate the Chhath festival.

The first day of four-day Chhath festival is called Araba-Arabain. The second day features Nahaykhay rituals. In the third day, people eat rice pudding and the Chhath festival formally concludes by offering curd to rising Sun on Monday. The curd is offered to the setting Sun on Sun evening.