Telangana government directs local bodies to prepare for Chhath Puja at 28 city spots

Authorities in Telangana have ordered local civic bodies and disaster management teams to set up facilities for Chhath Puja at 28 spots across Hyderabad. The Bihar Association of Hyderabad organized the upcoming events, which draw large crowds from states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and parts of West Bengal. The Municipal Administration and Urban Development department sent instructions to HYDRAA and three municipal corporations to handle arrangements.

Festival Rituals

The four-day festival involves distinct rituals on each day, including Nahay Khay and Kharna, followed by main prayers to the setting sun on the third day and the rising sun on the fourth day. Devotees stand in water bodies to offer fruits, sugarcane, and traditional items while seeking health and family well-being. The main public gatherings in the city are planned for the middle of November.

Association Demands

Bihar Association president Hareram Singh stated that Tank Bund serves as the largest gathering point, pulling thousands of devotees along with ministers and bureaucrats. The association requested proper cleaning, waste management, bright lighting on approach roads, drinking water, and public address systems. Organizers also asked the Police Department to manage traffic and crowd movement around lakes and ponds.

Context

Chhath Puja brings together communities from northern and eastern India living in urban centers far from their home states. Local governments regularly step in to help organize such large public festivals by cleaning water bodies and managing heavy crowds near lakes.