Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, accompanied by her cabinet colleagues, inspected several Chhath ghats on Wednesday, assessing the arrangements for the upcoming Chhath Puja festival, scheduled to take place from October 25 to 28, 2023.
The Chief Minister visited key locations including the Prembadi, Silangpur, and Munak Canal ghats, stating that after a lavish Diwali celebration, Delhi is poised for a ‘divine and devotional’ Chhath festival this year.
Gupta assured that the government has implemented extensive measures to allow devotees to perform ceremonies with utmost faith and cleanliness. “Over 1,000 Chhath ghats are under development across Delhi, with 17 model ghats located along the Yamuna River,” she explained. Gupta emphasized the significance of having at least one model ghat in each sub-district.
In a bid to enrich the celebrations, cultural programmes associated with Chhath Puja will take place at approximately 200 ghats. The government plans to offer facilities such as tents, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and toilets, ensuring a comfortable experience for all attendees.
Gupta affirmed, “This festival marks the first instance of significant government participation in such a large-scale religious and cultural event.” She highlighted that just as the capital celebrated Diwali with a spectacular Deepotsav and drone show, the Chhath festivities will mirror this grandeur and devotion.
“Delhi is not only the political capital but also evolving into a spiritual capital,” she remarked on the growing significance of faith-centric events in the national capital.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa inspected the Hathi Ghat near ITO, announcing that the government has allowed Chhath celebrations on the banks of the Yamuna for the first time in decades. “Achievements that remained elusive for 25 years have been accomplished in merely six months under our government,” he stated.
Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, alongside MP Manoj Tiwari at Sonia Vihar Ghat, proclaimed that the current government has fulfilled its electoral promise to permit Chhath Puja along the Yamuna banks. Former regulations prohibiting this celebration significantly restricted devotees; however, now celebrations will extend not just to the Yamuna banks but also to around 1,300 additional ghats.
In South Delhi, MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri led a cleanliness drive at the Deoli and Sangam Vihar ghats, collaborating with local Chhath Puja Committees. “Chhath epitomizes cultural unity and faith. Our government has recognized this sentiment by rescinding former cases filed against Purvanchali brothers and sisters celebrating the festival and is committed to providing optimal facilities for all devotees,” he remarked.
Local leaders including MLA Chandan Chaudhary, South District BJP President Maya Bisht, Councillor Satpal Anita Singhal, and various party members actively joined in the cleanliness efforts.
Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh inspected ghats in Bawana constituency, urging officials to finalize all preparations by Friday morning. He proposed transforming Rohini’s Lake Park into Delhi’s ‘Model Chhath Ghat’.
The grand festival of Chhath Puja, dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, will see widespread observance across the national capital, highlighting the region’s cultural richness and the government’s commitment to facilitating such events for its diverse populace.
