Thousands celebrate Chhath Puja in Mumbai

Natives of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh who reside in the city, celebrated Chhath Puja here this evening, with thousands thronging the Juhu beach.
Chhath, the traditional worship of the setting and rising sun, is popular in Bihar and some eastern Uttar Pradesh districts and Hindus from these places celebrate the festival, which falls six days after Diwali.
As part of Chhath celebrations, at least one woman from a family fasts for three days. The family members then accompany her to the bank of a river or sea as she offers prayers to the sun, at sunset and sunrise.
"The festival is also celebration of harvesting of crops as devotees offer new crops and fruits to the sun god," said Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam, who is credited with popularising Chhath Puja celebrations in Mumbai.

Dismissing political rivals' allegation that he uses the festival to garner votes, Nirupam said, "This is purely a religious and spiritual work."
"This is a sacred occasion and there is no politics involved in it," Nirupam, who represents North Mumbai in Lok Sabha, said.
Nirupam's NGO Bihari Front is among the three organisations that have been permitted by the Bombay HC to celebrate Chhath Puja at Juhu beach as they have been found to be following the court instructions.
To entertain the crowds, the organisers roped in Bhojpuri singers to present devotional songs in Bhojpuri and Maithili, the local dialects of Bihar.