Prayers to setting sun marks Chhath festival in Lucknow

Lucknow: The festival of Chhath was celebrated with fervour across Lucknow on Thursday, marked by fasting, praying, singing of traditional songs and making offerings to the setting sun.

The four-day Chhath began on Tuesday when devotees, mainly women, took a dip in rivers, a tradition known as 'nahai khai'. It was followed by the ritual of 'kharna' on Wednesday when sweet dishes were prepared before fasting.

Married women observe fast for 36 hours during the festival.

Devotees traditionally offer wheat, milk, sugarcane, bananas and coconuts to the Sun God. In many parts of the state, the festival is celebrated with religious fervour and zeal.

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In Lucknow and other towns, all roads led to riverbanks, which were decorated and cleaned for the devotees to perform 'arghya' or oblations to the sun.

The festival concludes on Friday morning with devotees worshipping the rising sun. Chhath is celebrated six days after Diwali.