Chhath Festival Commences with Nahay-Khay Rituals

The Chhath festival, a major Hindu observance, has officially started with the Nahay-Khay ceremony. In this first rite, devotees cleanse themselves by bathing and drinking water, symbolising purity before the main worship. The ritual marks the beginning of a series of observances that culminate in offering prayers to the Sun God. Participants gather in open spaces, often near rivers or lakes, to perform the cleansing and to prepare for the subsequent rituals.