Patna, Oct 28: On the concluding day of Chhath Puja, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan performed Chhath Puja rituals by offering prayers to the rising sun with his family at AG Colony Park in Patna, Bihar.

During the ceremony, the Minister paid homage to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and remembered Chhathi Maiya, praying for the progress and prosperity of society.

The event was marked by traditional rituals, devotional songs, and a strong sense of community spirit.

Chhath Puja, celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, honours the Sun God and is known for its rigorous fasting and deep spiritual significance.

Devotees in large numbers thronged their nearby ghats and performed the 'Usha Arghya' as this ritual marked the end of the four-day festival.

Chhath Puja falls on the sixth day (Shashthi Tithi) of the Kartik month's Shukla Paksha, usually occurring six days after Diwali. The celebration spans four days, beginning with Nahay Khay and concluding with Usha Arghya, the offering of prayers to the rising sun.

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The festival commences with Nahay Khay (October 25), when devotees take a holy dip and prepare a simple meal. On the second day, Kharna (October 26), a day-long fast from morning to evening is observed and later concluded with offerings of rasiya (sweet porridge) and roti. The third day marks Sandhya Arghya, when the ‘nirjala vrat’ (fast without water) begins, continuing until the early hours of the fourth day (Usha Arghya).

According to legend, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita performed the first Chhath Puja after their return to Ayodhya to seek blessings from the Sun God for prosperity.

One of the most significant Hindu festivals, Chhath Puja, is primarily observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities worldwide.