Preparations are on full swing for the two-day Chhath puja
celebrations at Dwarka’s Chhath Ghat to be held on November 26 and 27.
Authorities are anticipating a bigger rush this year, and have
increased the number of ghats in the locality that have been readied.
One of the largest Chhath festival congregations in this part of the
city takes place at Sector 11. It is organised by Dwarka Social
Religious and Cultural Association. Other major Chhath puja venues are
at Sector 8 and Dada Dev Mela Ground, which is organised by Palam Chhath
Puja Committee, at Dabri Mor, Bharat Vihar, Kakrola and other places.
All the ghats have been repaired and cleaned. Some new ghats have
also been constructed in view of the expectation of a greater rush of
devotees this year. What is new this year is that there are some theme
based ghats too.
Robin Sharma, president, Dwarka Social Religious and Cultural Association, told City Spidey, “This
year, we have four new ghats, and total number has gone up to 20. The
number is increasing every year as the popularity is rising."
All the ghats have changing rooms, toilets, rooms for priests, storing facilities.
Chhath ghat in sector 14
The ghats have been given names of places of historical importance in Bihar, where Chhath Puja is the biggest festival.
There will be an exhibition where Bihar and its culture would be
showcased. “This is being done to bring communities together and expose
the Delhites to the rich cultural heritage of Bihar,” he said.
At Sector 8 and Dada Dev Mela Ground, preparations are already
completed. According to the Puja committee, the ghats will be filled
with water tomorrow.
Today, Palam Puja Chhath Committee held a review meeting to take
stock of preparations at its ghat at Sector 10. Its president, Amrendra
Singh, said, “Today, all the preparations are over. Only decorations and
lighting are being done now. Once these are completed tomorrow, water
will be filled in.”
At this venue, five new kaccha (temporary) ghats have been prepared.
These are in addition to the eight pucca ghats that are already there.
The Delhi government has come out in full support of the Chhath Puja
celebrations and has sent enough workers to complete the tasks ahead of
time. The municipal corporation from its side has distributed Rs 25,000
to each of the registered Chhath Puja committees.
Inside certain societies, such as Radhika Apartments in Sector 14,
the society Chhath Puja committees have made temporary Chhath ghats. In
other areas too, such ghats have already been prepared and the
committees are busy in arranging other facilities for the devotees.
