Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with her cabinet colleagues, inspected various Chhath ghats on Wednesday, ensuring preparations are on track for the upcoming Chhath Puja, scheduled from October 25 to 28. In a bid to provide a divine experience for devotees, Gupta’s inspections took her to well-known locations including Prembadi, Silangpur, and Munak Canal ghats.
This year, Delhi aims to celebrate Chhath Puja with unprecedented grandeur after the city’s successful Diwali festivities. Gupta noted the government’s extensive plans to facilitate devotees as they perform their rituals. Over 1,000 Chhath ghats are being developed across the capital, featuring 17 model ghats strategically located along the Yamuna River, with an emphasis on having at least one model ghat in each sub-district.
The government will organize cultural programmes at around 200 ghats to enrich the festival experience. Gupta emphasized that facilities would include tents, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and toilets to cater to the large number of visitors expected. “This will mark the first occasion where the Delhi government participates in such a large-scale religious and cultural event,” she stated.
Highlighting the city’s symbolic transition, Gupta asserted, “Delhi is not only the political capital but also becoming the capital of faith.”
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who evaluated conditions at Hathi Ghat near ITO, remarked on the significance of permitting Chhath celebrations by the Yamuna banks for the first time in decades. Sirsa emphasized, “What could not be done in the last 25 years has been achieved within six months of our government.”
Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra complemented Sirsa’s remarks during his visit to Sonia Vihar Ghat alongside MP Manoj Tiwari. He asserted that the BJP government has fulfilled its election promise, allowing Chhath Puja on the Yamuna banks, reversing a ban imposed by the previous government. “Chhath Puja will now occur not only on the Yamuna banks but also at around 1,300 other ghats,” he revealed.
In South Delhi, MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri took the initiative to inspect ghats in Deoli and Sangam Vihar. He launched a cleanliness drive in collaboration with several Chhath Puja Committees. Bidhuri underscored, “Chhath is a symbol of cultural unity and faith. The previous government filed cases against Purvanchali brothers and sisters for celebrating the festival, but our government has withdrawn all such cases, ensuring the best facilities for devotees.”
Prominent figures, including MLA Chandan Chaudhary and South District BJP President Maya Bisht, joined the cleanliness initiative, emphasizing community participation in facilitating the festival.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh reviewed the preparations in the Bawana constituency. He directed officials to complete all arrangements by Friday morning. Additionally, he proposed to transform Rohini’s Lake Park into Delhi’s “Model Chhath Ghat.”
Chhath Puja represents a significant cultural and spiritual celebration, dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, observed by countless devotees throughout the national capital. With the commitment shown by the Delhi government, this year’s festivities promise to be enriching and vibrant, embodying the spirit of community and faith.
