Bhopal: Monday marked the third day of Chhath Puja-2025, the grand festival of sun worship. On Kartik Shukla Shashthi, devotees made offerings to the setting Sun.
Devotees arrived at all 52 ghats in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal in the evening and offered milk and water to the Sun God. The Municipal Corporation and the administration have completed the cleaning, lighting, and security arrangements at the ghats.
Throughout the day, fasting women were busy preparing Chhath Prasad. Thekua, also known as Tikri in some areas, along with rice laddus, Sancha, and seasonal fruits were be included in the Chhath Prasad.
Fruits, Thekua, and lamps were decorated in bamboo baskets and bowls for the evening puja. The Sun God and Chhathi Maiya were worshipped with this decorated bowl.
Devotees make offerings
In the evening, as the sun began to set, devotees stood in the water on the ghats and offered Arghya to the setting Sun. During this time, devotees worshipped Lord Bhaskar, holding a daura (a bowl) filled with fruits and offerings.
It is believed that offering arghya (water offering) to the Sun in the evening improves eyesight and bestows blessings of longevity. After the offering, devotees sang Chhathi Maiya's hymns and traditional folk songs.
Devotional atmosphere prevailed on the ghats
A devotional atmosphere prevailed on the ghats. Thousands of devotees gathered at Sheetaldas Ki Bagiya, Kamala Park, Vardhman Park, Khatlapura Ghat, and Prempura Ghat in Bhopal.
With songs, lamps, and heartfelt prayers at 52 ghats, fasting devotees honored the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya — awaiting the dawn when the rising Sun will complete their 36-hour vow of faith and endurance.
Devotees will worship rising Sun
On the fourth and last day of Chhath, devotees will offer arghya to the rising Sun. This concludes the 36-hour fast. After offering arghya to Lord Bhaskar, the devotees break their fast by eating Chhath prasad. After this, Parana takes place, in which the fasting person eats rice, pulses, vegetables, greens, papad, chutney, badi, pakodas, etc. and after that the whole family eats food.