Delhi govt declares Nov 2 as public holiday on Chhath Puja

The Delhi Government on Friday declared November 2 as a public holiday on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Puja.

The notification issued by the general administration department stated, "The Lt. Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi is pleased to declare Saturday, November 2, 2019, as a holiday in all government offices on account of Chhath Puja." 

Gopal Rai, Minister for Employment, Development, Labour, General Administration and Irrigation in Delhi government tweeted, "Delhi government declared a holiday on November 2 on the auspicious occasion of 'Chhath Mahaparva'. Happy Chhath Mahaparva to all Chhath Vratis of Delhi."

'छठ महापर्व' के शुभ अवसर पर कल दिनांक 2 नवंबर को दिल्ली सरकार द्वारा अवकाश घोषित।
दिल्ली के सभी छठ व्रतियों को छठ महापर्व की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं।#chhathpuja2019 pic.twitter.com/SaU5JkRyp8

— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) November 1, 2019

The four-day long Chhath Puja is celebrated across various states primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. It began on October 31 and will be concluded on Sunday after devotees offer 'argha' to the rising Sun and end their 36-hour long fast.

Chhath Puja is celebrated on the sixth day of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar which also happens to be the fourth day after Diwali. 

Day one of the festival is called Nahai Khai, which begins with devotees taking the holy dip in Ganga River. On the next day, devotees observe a full-day fast which is completed in the evening after praying to the sun and the moon during sunset. The third day is called 'pehla argha' or 'sandhya argha'. The devotees and their families go to the river bank and offer prasad to the Sun God during sunset and pray for happiness and prosperity.

On the fourth and the last day, which is also is known as 'doosra argha', devotees offer their prayers to the Sun God on the river banks before the sunrise and conclude their fast and eat special prasad and delicacies made for the festival.