Delhi's Diwali was grand, Chhath festival will be full of divinity: CM Rekha Gupta
New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): Delhi Chief Minister Mrs. Rekha Gupta said that while Delhi's Diwali was grand this year, the Chhath festival of devotion and faith will be full of divinity. The government has completed preparations to make the Chhath festival comprehensive and elaborate, so that devotees can celebrate it with complete purity and faith. The Chief Minister said that this time, more than 1,000 Chhath ghats are being constructed across Delhi, including 17 special and grand model ghats on the banks of the Yamuna. The government is also constructing at least one model ghat in each sub-district. Cultural programs related to Chhath Puja will also be organized at approximately 200 ghats. The Chief Minister also stated that starting today, all Delhi MPs, MLAs, councillors and public representatives have initiated cleanliness drives at the Chhath ghats being constructed in their respective areas. The Chief Minister also informed that a few years ago, cases were filed against devotees performing Chhath Puja on the Yamuna. The government has decided to withdraw these cases.
Chhath Festival is Linked to Delhi's Culture and Faith
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta provided detailed information about the Chhath Puja celebrations at a press conference held at the Delhi Secretariat today and stated that the government is making special preparations to ensure a grand Chhath festival this year. She was accompanied at the conference by Delhi Government's Development and Tourism Minister, Mr. Kapil Mishra and Chief Whip, Mr. Abhay Verma. The Chief Minister stated that Chhath Puja is not just a festival, but a celebration of Delhi's faith, culture and devotion. The government's ban on Chhath Puja on the Yamuna River, which had been in place for years, has been lifted this year. The Chief Minister stated that the government is now constructing worship sites along the Yamuna River with all the necessary amenities for devotees. He explained that model Chhath ghats are being constructed at 17 major locations along the Yamuna River, from Palla to Kalindi Kunj. Depending on the population, these ghats will range in length from half a kilometer to one and a half kilometers. Furthermore, at least one model Chhath ghat will be built in each district and sub-district so that devotees from all regions can perform the puja with ease and devotion.
Government to be a Part of Religious and Cultural Events
The Chief Minister informed that while last year only 929 ghats hosted Chhath Puja, this year more than 1,000 committees have requested permission from the government. The government will provide all necessary amenities, including tents, electricity, sanitation, drinking water and toilets, at all these ghats. This year, grand welcome gates will be constructed to welcome Chhath devotees and pilgrims, where they will be greeted with a shower of flowers. He also informed that cultural programs in Bhojpuri and Maithili languages will be organized at over 200 ghats, in keeping with the religious atmosphere. According to the Chief Minister, this will be the first time the Delhi government will participate in such a large-scale religious and cultural event. He stated that mobile toilets, sanitation workers, and medical vans will be deployed at most sites.
Cases against Chhath devotees will be withdrawn
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also announced that a special cleanliness campaign is being launched today, under which all Delhi MPs, MLAs, councillors and other public representatives will visit the ghats in their respective areas and carry out cleanliness drives. At the conference, the Chief Minister also informed that during the previous government's tenure, cases were filed against devotees who went to perform Chhath Puja on the banks of the Yamuna in 2021. The Delhi government will now withdraw all those FIRs and cases. The previous government imposed restrictions on faith, while the current government respects faith. The Chief Minister said that just as Delhi created history on the occasion of Diwali, organizing a grand drone show and Deepotsav for the first time on the path of duty, this year's Chhath Puja will also be divine and grand. She said that Delhi is now going to become not only the capital of politics but also the capital of faith. With the same devotion with which Delhiites lit lamps, they will offer prayers to the Sun God on the banks of the Yamuna.