Sikkim thanks the Sun

CHHATH PUJA CELEBRATION AT THAKUR BARI
ANUSHA GURUNG
GANGTOK, 19 Nov: Chhath Puja, also called Dala Chhath, is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God also known as Surya Shashti is being celebrated at Thakur Bari Mandir from 17-20 November by the Chhath Puja Committee of Gangtok.
Gangtok MLA, Dorjee Namgyal, accompanied by HRDD Minister, NK Pradhan, RM&DD Minister, CB Karki, and other dignitaries joined the prayers in which thousands participated this evening.
The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes where the Sun, considered the god of energy and of the life-force, is worshiped during the Chhath festival to promote well-being, prosperity and progress in Hinduism, Sun worship is believed to help cure a variety of diseases, including leprosy, and helps ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends, and elders informed the president of the committee Kaushal Kashyap. The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water [Vratta], standing in water for long periods of time, and offering Prashad [prayer offerings] and aragh to the setting and rising sun.
Although it is observed most elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal in modern times, and is more prevalent in areas where migrants from those areas have a presence, it is celebrated in all regions and major urban centers in India. The festival is celebrated in the regions including but not exclusive to the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai and Mauritius. These days the community comes together to celebrate this festival which is a good sign of unity and can help promote peace in the whole world, said Mr Kashyap.