Ensure amenities for Chhath Pooja

Hyderabad: Members of the Uttar Bhartiya Chhath Parv samithi met the Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration) Arvind Kumar on Thursday and urged him to extend facilities to celebrate “Chhath Pooja” in the city. The members informed the Principal Secretary about the difficulties being faced by the devotees in finding a safe place, water body for taking a dip. They also requested to allocate specific space, electricity and other facilities.

They informed that presently they are using a corner in a park in Langer House for celebrating the event which does not have required facilities to accommodate around 2000 people. Similar events are organized with informal support in more than ten locations in the city such as Tapovanam park in Langer house, Patikuna in Rajendranagar, Uddamgadda in Katedan, Sanjeevaiya Park in Secunderabad.

The total population participating in the above festival could be more than 15 thousands, they said. Kumar informed the members that GHMC Additional Commissioner Musharaf (Landline 040-23322978; Mobile 8143558799) has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for the Chhath Puja and he has been asked to extend all the required facilities for organizing the festival in a befitting manner.

Chhath Pooja is an important religious festival for residents from Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern UP. This festival is celebrated during the month of November (6th day after deepavali festival). During Chhath Puja people worship the Sun god and seek his blessings for the overall prosperity of the family. The puja is marked by offering prayers to the Sun god, fasting and taking dips into the holy waters of a nearby water body, pond or a tank.