Birgunj (Parsa): Preparations are in full swing for the Chhath festival in Birgunj, where ponds and river banks are being adorned with banana trees, colorful papers, and lights to welcome worshippers. More than a dozen locations within Birgunj metropolis, known as Chhathghat, have been set up for the festival’s traditional offerings to the sun.

Popular sites for Chhath Pooja include Ghadiarwa, Ranighat Chhapkaiya, Maidhiya, Nagwa, Solakpur Chorni, and Paraswa ponds, which draw both locals and visitors. Dilip Shah Kanu, Chairperson of the Chhath Pooja Management Committee, noted that tourists from nearby Indian cities also travel to Birgunj to witness the vibrant decorations and rituals, especially at Ghadi Arwa Pond.

This year, the main day of Chhath falls on November 7, and the government has announced a public holiday in celebration of the festival.