Chhath festival begins today

Kathmandu, Nov 13 . Chhath, the festival celebrated by worshipping the Sun God, is beginning today. The Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God is observed for four days.
During the celebrations, devotees avoid non-vegetarian dishes, and other certain kinds of grains and spices such as millet, lentil, buckwheat and garlic. A holy dip into rivers, fasting, abstaining from even drinking water and the maintenance of purity and cleanliness are parts of the rigorous Chhath rituals.

The festival, which is primarily celebrated by the people from the Mithila culture, has lately attracted the people from the hills, especially after 1990, the year when democracy was restored in the country.

Devotees will offer arghya and pay a special homage to the setting sun on Tuesday evening and it will conclude by worshiping and offering arghya to the rising sun on Wednesday, wishing for prosperity, happiness, wellbeing and long life of the family members.

Various delicacies like Thekuwa and rice pudding are prepared and served during the festival.