As India celebrates Chhath festival 2022, which is an ancient Hindu festival spread over four days and mainly celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jharkhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the nation on the occasion which falls on Sunday this year (October 30).
During the festival, prayers and religious rituals are performed over four days. People also hold fasting - 36-hour-long nirjala vrat, without food and water. Some go for spiritual bathing and cleasing in the holy river Ganges.
The festival, which is also known by different names such as Chhaith, Chhath Parva, Chhath Puja, Dala Chhath, Dala Puja and Surya Shashthi in different parts of the country, is celebrated to offer prayers to the sun god, Surya and his sister Chhathi Maiya.
