The Delhi government has declared a public holiday on November 7 for the occasion of Chhath Puja.
The government of Delhi has officially announced a public holiday on November 7 in celebration of Chhath Puja. This decision was made shortly after Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena communicated with Chief Minister Atishi, requesting the establishment of a ‘full time holiday.’ Previously, November 7 had been designated as a ‘restricted holiday.’
A statement from the Chief Minister’s office noted, “Chhath Puja is a significant festival for the residents of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Consequently, the Government of NCT of Delhi has resolved to declare November 7, 2024, as a Public Holiday in observance of ‘Chhath Puja.’”
Chhath Puja is predominantly celebrated by the people of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, often referred to as ‘Purvanchalis,’ following the festival of Diwali. During this occasion, devotees, primarily women, pay homage to the Sun god and engage in the ritual of ‘Arghya’ while standing in knee-deep water. This year, the festival holds particular importance due to the upcoming assembly elections, as ‘Purvanchali’ voters will play a crucial role in determining the outcomes for various candidates in the February elections. Chhath is a Hindu festival observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and other regions, occurring on the sixth day of the Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar, and is also referred to as Surya Shashti. The festival encompasses a four-day period of ritual purity and fasting.
The first day involves bathing in a sacred river, with devotees often bringing Ganges water home for their rituals. The second day, known as Kharna, consists of a full day of fasting that concludes with offerings to Mother Earth. The third day is dedicated to preparing prasad for evening offerings to the setting sun, referred to as Sanjhiya Arghya. On the final day, devotees present offerings to the rising sun before breaking their fast and sharing prasad with neighbors and relatives. Earlier this month, the Delhi government also revealed plans to establish 1,000 “model ghats” for the festival. Chief Minister Atishi stated that these would be constructed in each of the 70 assembly constituencies to assist Chhath Puja devotees.
