Jamshedpur: Chief minister Raghubar Das offered the morning arghya to the Sun God along with his family members at the Sidhgora based Surya Mandir of which he is also the chief patron. Das along with his wife, Rukmini Devi, son Lalit and daughter-in-law Purnima offered the bihaniya arghya today. Das had ensured all kinds of safety at the ghat where Chhath is being celebrated since 2000.�
“Chhath is a festival that brings a lot of power and it is with this energy that Jharkhand will conquer new heights of development,” said Das. Taking the opportunity, Das also appealed the devotees to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming Jharkhand election.
The Surya Mandir in Sidhgora witnessed a crowd of about 25,000 who had come to offer arghya at the artificial reservoir. The Surya Mandir Committee also witnessed a musical concert by well known playback singer Neha Kakkar . About 10,00p music lovers gathered to witness her performance on his popular devotional numbers.
Meanwhile, the Subernarekha Ghat in Sakchi, one of the popular and the biggest venue witnessed a footfall of over 1 lakh devotees on both the days of Chhath.
“The festival is a way to thank Sun god for giving us energy. Chhath Puja is performed to promote well being, progress and prosperity of the family, relatives and friend,” said a housewife.
Several temporary canopies were put by city-based social outfits for lending help and providing essential items to the devotees and fast observers. Danger zones were also demarcated with red flag bamboo poles and barricaded. Medical team with ambulance were also present at the spot. Civil defence personnel were also deployed with life jackets, paddle boats for rescue operations.
Nearly 3 lakh devotees thronged the Domuhani (called as it is the confluence point of Kharkai and Subernarekha) ghat to offer obeisance . Tata Steel subsidiary Jusco, following directives of the East Singhbhum district administration, had erected temporary bamboo structures as changing rooms for women devotees.
