With hymns echoing in the air and lamps shimmering across the water, the vibrant Chhath Puja was celebrated with deep faith and fervour along the banks of River Dhansiri and other locations across Dimapur on Monday evening. Hundreds of devotees, mainly from the Bhojpuri, Maithili, and other North Indian communities of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Nepal, gathered to offer Sandhya Arghya—the ritual evening prayers to the setting sun.

The sacred four-day festival, dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Devta) and Chhathi Maiya, is observed as a thanksgiving for life’s blessings and a prayer for prosperity, well-being, and purity. It also reflects the deep bond between humanity and nature, symbolizing gratitude to the Sun as the eternal source of energy.

In Dimapur, the Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj made extensive arrangements for the devotees at Ura Villa Colony, transforming the riverbank into a vibrant scene of devotion and discipline. Similarly, the Nagaland Bihari Samaj organized parallel celebrations behind ISBT, drawing large gatherings of devotees and families.

Women dressed in traditional sarees and men in ethnic attire carried bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sweets, and delicacies made from whole wheat, such as thekua and khajuria. As the sun dipped below the horizon, devotees stood in knee-deep water to present offerings, sing devotional Bhojpuri songs, and light earthen lamps that floated gently down the river, creating a mesmerizing view.

Many devotees, who could not reach the riverside built small, artificial ponds in their colonies to perform the rituals with equal devotion, reflecting the adaptability of faith even in urban settings.

After paying obeisance to the setting Sun today, the devotees returned home where some of the devotees conducted other rituals. Women prepared a canopy of sugar-cane and lit earthen lamps underneath and sang hymns in praise of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, while observing a strict fast.

This year’s Chhath Mahaparv began with the Nahai-Khai ritual on October 25, followed by Kharna on October 26. The evening Arghya on October 27 was the most significant moment of the celebration. The festival will culminate on October 28 when devotees will offer the Ushakalin Arghya (morning prayers) to the rising sun, marking the conclusion of their fasting and austerities.

Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj also made arrangements for the safety of the devotees and ensured that no untoward incidents take place. Medical facilities and adequate security were also provided to the devotees. The NBS also ensured that the Chhath festival is celebrated without the use of firecrackers and banned the use of the same at the venue.

Chhathi Maiya, the sixth form of Devi Prakriti and Lord Surya’s sister is worshipped as the Goddess of the festival. It is celebrated six days after Deepavali, on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October–November) in the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat.

The festival begins with devotees observing approximately 36-hour fast, which ends after paying obeisance to the rising sun.

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Meanwhile, the Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj extended heartfelt gratitude to the Dimapur District Administration and Police for their cooperation and for easing traffic during the puja hours. It also thanked the SDRF team for maintaining vigilance along the riverbanks and the Ura Villa Colony Council for their continuous support in organizing the celebration smoothly and safely.

Expressing joy over the peaceful and grand observance, the NBS said that the festival not only strengthens the spiritual fabric of the community but also fosters unity among people of diverse backgrounds living in Nagaland.

“Chhath Puja is not merely a ritual; it is a way of life that teaches purity, discipline, and gratitude,” a member of the organizing committee shared.

The Samaj also expressed gratitude to all devotees and well-wishers who participated in the event, adding that such celebrations help preserve India’s cultural diversity and promote harmony in the multicultural setting of Dimapur.

It also thanked all its members of the Samaj, who took pains to make elaborate arrangements at the river banks for the devotees to perform the puja rituals for two days.