Hyderabad Tunes Into Chhath Puja Festivities

Hyderabad:Thousands of devotees hailing from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Hindi-speaking states, gathered near water bodies across the city to observe Chhath Puja on Monday. Organised with support from local community groups and the state government, the celebrations took place at over 30 designated ghats along the Hussainsagar, Musi River and lakes across Hyderabad. The city is home to an estimated 16 lakh people from Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand.

Devotees performed the Sanjh ka Arghya by offering prayers to the setting Sun on the first day of the festival. The rituals are a display of gratitude to the Sun God and Chhati Maiya for sustaining life and bestowing prosperity. The second Arghya is scheduled for early Tuesday morning, before sunrise, when devotees will once again offer prayers as the first rays of the sun fall upon them.

The first day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, began in high spirits, especially along the banks of Hussainsagar, where families took holy dips as the sun set. Traditional Bhojpuri songs filled the air, women performed rituals with devotion, and ghats and ponds were decorated with sugarcane stalks and marigold flowers. The festival, which signifies prosperity and good health, saw enthusiastic participation from devotees across the city.

Bihar Samaj Seva Sangh chairman Raju Ojha thanked the state government for providing all the facilities at Mini Pond near Sanjeevaiah Park and other places.

Union minister G. Kishan Reddy joined with devotees at a ghat in Hussainsagar. Notable community leaders, including representatives from Jan Seva Sangh and Telangana Bihari Samaj highlighted how Hyderabad has become a hub for cultural preservation.

Madan Lal Rawal of Jan Seva Sangh shared, “We have been organising this celebration at Hussainsagar since 2004. Having lived in Hyderabad for 60 years, I’ve seen the city transform beautifully, it’s a safe city where no one sleeps hungry.”

“Despite being hundreds of miles away from home, our community maintains the rituals and spirit of Chhath,” remarked N.K. Singh of Uttar Bharat Nagarik Sangh, which arranged puja at KarmanGhat

One of the festival’s highlights is the preparation of ‘Thekua’, a traditional sweet made of whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee, ingredients that are both nutritious and symbolic. “We have prepared more than a quintal of Thekua, which will be distributed among devotees on Tuesday morning, especially those staying away from their families,” said Raju Ojha of the Bihar Samaj Seva Sangh at the Hussainsagar mini pond. “After sunrise, devotees break their fast with Thekua, fruits, and tea made from cow’s milk,” he added.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, singer Tarsha Gupta, along with the Pandey Musical Group, performed traditional Chhath songs, prompting many in the crowd to dance joyfully.

Anita Devi, a resident of Balanagar and native of Giridih, Jharkhand, said, “Chhath Puja is a four-day festival, with rituals starting early in the morning and continuing till 6 am. The warmth of this city makes us never feel homesick.”