Patna:
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi performed the Chhath Puja at their home in Patna today.
The celebration of the festival has been a tradition in the Yadav household for decades.On Wednesday too, Rabri Devi and the rest of the family celebrated Chhath Puja, observing the second day of 'Kharna'. Her son Tejashwi Yadav tweeted a picture of his mother Rabri Devi and other family members, cooking by the fire, in the middle of
Chhath Puja preparations. Dressed in a yellow salwar kameez, Rabri Devi was seen frying a traditional dish.
This year, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is known to tour ghats on the evening "Arghya" days, will visit the Nasriganj Ghat at Danapur. At the "Kharna Prasad" distribution organised at his official residence last night, the Chief Minister lauded "amazing self-discipline and mankind's connect with nature" that is displayed during the Bihar's most significant religious festival.
Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and Acting President of the state Congress Kaukab Qadri distributed "kalsoops", coconuts, incense sticks and other items that are used in the puja to the public
Lakhs of people made a beeline to the banks of the Ganges river to perform the rituals.
Preparations have been underway for the mammoth gathering since last weekend when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi held separate inspections of the numerous ghats in Patna and the satellite township of Danapur and gave instructions to officials for sprucing up the arrangements.
Mr Kumar laid special emphasis on ensuring safety and security at the ghats.
Sushil Kumar Modi said that the state government is treating the festivities as a "state event" and arrangements have been made accordingly, which include barricading at strategic points to avert stampedes, a modern communication system to disseminate correct information and prevent any rumours that could trigger panic.
National Disaster Response Force teams and its state counterparthave been patrolling the
ghats to prevent any accidents.
(With inputs from PTI)