Akshara Singh's Chhath Message: Why This Festival Unites All Biharis

"Happy Chhath Puja to everyone...Chhath Puja is a big sentiment for us Biharis...Chhath Puja teaches us to see people as equals, understand each other and move forward together. I feel that throughout the year we should live together and not hate or cheat anyone," she said

Regarding the Bihar elections, she said, "I want people to elect good leaders and develop their areas."

In light of the auspicious festival, various cities across the nation are being prepared for the celebrations. Lucknow has decked up with lights and decorations.

The four-day Chhath festival began on Sunday in Lucknow with decorated ghats and ongoing cultural programmes. Security is tight with police, PAC, divers, CCTV, and drones deployed.

UP Minister AK Sharma stated that the preparations have been completed in view of the festival and assured that all the security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the devotees.

"Our team has finished preparations for the Chhath festival. The fast and Mahaparva have already started, and I send my best wishes to everyone... We are presently at Jhulelal Ghat in Lucknow, where thousands and lakhs of people will visit tomorrow and the day after to celebrate the festival... We also checked the river water, and it appears very clear. Arrangements have also been made to prevent water pollution in the river from Pooja offerings and other materials... People are requested to take care of their safety and also maintain cleanliness on the ghat and inside the river," he said.

The banks of the Gomti River have also been decorated.

LJP Ramvilas MP Shambhavi Chaudhary performed rituals on the second day of Chhath Puja, with her family in Patna.

Bihar BJP President Dilip Jaiswal says, "...After performing the Chhathi Maiya puja today, I have received even more positive energy."

He further stated, "Our opposition is full of empty promises and the people of Bihar no longer believe in their words... In the next few days till the elections, they will only make empty promises."

In Ranchi, devotees performed the rituals of "Kharna Puja."

JDU National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha also performed the "Kharna Puja" on the occasion in the city of Madhubani in Bihar.

Founder of Jan Suraaj, Prashant Kishor, on the occasion reaffirmed that the party is working on creating opportunities within Bihar.

"We are also celebrating Chhath. For the past three and a half years, we've been celebrating Chhath with people...Migration from Bihar must stop. People must find employment here. We're working with this vow. I'm confident that in the next 10 days, the people of Bihar will understand this and will vote for their children, for their children's employment..." he said.

Meanwhile, in Bhagalpur, Indian Railways played Chhath songs at stations for passengers for the first time ever to celebrate the festival.

Ticket Collector SSP Chaurasia said, "For the first time here at the station, a Chhath festival song is being played; it feels very good. In between, there are also train announcements, and Chhath songs are being played for the Chhath festival, which is a very good initiative from the railway's side. This is providing relief to the passengers as well."

The four-day Chhath Mahaparv, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, began on Saturday with the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khay.

This year, the festival is being celebrated from October 25 to 28, with rituals including Nahay-Khay on Chaturthi Tithi of Kartik Shukla Paksha, Kharna on Panchami, Chhath Puja on Sashti, and the concluding Usha Arghya on Saptami.

- ANI