New Delhi: The President of India Ram Nath Kovind, Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowal and Assam Finance Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma extended their heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Chhath Puja.
President Kovind extended greetings to the fellow citizens on this auspicious occasion through a tweet.
The President tweeted:
CM Sarbananda Sonowal took to Twitter to extend his wishes.
"Heartfelt greetings on the worship of the Sun and nature, the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja. Happy #ChhathPuja," tweeted CM Sonowal in Hindi.
Assam Finance, Education, Health and PWD Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma also extended his wishes. However, in view of the coronavirus pandemic, Sarma has asked everyone to celebrate this festival by taking special precautions.
Chhath Puja, an ancient Hindu festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun and Chhathi Maiyya, who is said to be the sister of Sun. This special puja is unique to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. However, people from various cultural backgrounds celebrate this Puja for their faith in Lord Surya (Sun).
The Chhath Puja is celebrated for four days, where the devotees pray for the health and well-being of their families to Lord Surya. Chhath Puja is celebrated twice a year, once during the summer season and other during the winter season. The rituals followed by the devotees during this auspicious festival include taking a dip in rivers, fasting, standing in water and offering prayers to the Sun, and so on.
The food prepared during Chhath Puja does not have salt, onion or garlic.