People in large numbers congregated on the banks of Ganga River for evening 'arghya' (offering) to the Sun on the occasion of Chhath.
People in large numbers congregated on the banks of Ganga River for evening 'arghya' (offering) to the Sun god today on the occasion of Chhath, which is being celebrated in Patna amidst tight security.
The offering is traditionally made before the sunset and many families were seen giving their 'arghya' in ponds at their localities.
Tight security is in place in view of the October 27 serial blasts in the city. Senior police officers are keeping a close watch to avoid any incident of stampede like last year at Adalat ghat in which 23 devotees had lost lives.
Divers and rescue boats have been kept ready for any emergency situation, official sources said.
Police said more than 3000 policemen have been deployed on the bank of Ganga and to ensure smooth flow of traffic on roads. Public address systems have been put up at all ghats to help devotees.
Governor D Y Patil and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar travelled in a boat to take a close look of the arrangements on the ghats and exchanged pleasantries with the people.
Chhath is being celebrated quietly at CM Nitish Kumar's One Anne Marg residence where his sister-in-law (wife of his elder brother Satish Kumar) and maternal nephews gave their 'arghya' at the swimming pool.
Mr Kumar, unlike his predecessor Lalu Prasad, is celebrating the festival with only his family members and has kept his party leaders and workers away from the celebration at his residence.
Mr Prasad's absence was felt at his home. A large size photograph of him performing Chhath puja was put up at the place he used to stand near the swimming pool as his wife RJD leader Rabri Devi offered the 'arghya' at her 10 Circular road residence along with her children, including her sons Tejaswi and Tej Pratap.
Many RJD leaders were present at the occasion.
Mr Prasad is in jail in Ranchi in connection with a fodder scam case.