Kathmandu: The four-day Chhath Parva, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya), concluded this morning with devotees offering Arghya to the rising sun at rivers, ponds, and ghats across the country.

The festival, observed from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Saptami, ended with the final ritual at Bhinsarghat, where devotees offered cow’s milk, flowers, and holy water to the Sun while standing waist-deep in water.

Religious scholar Prof. Toyaraj Nepal explained that since water and the Sun sustain life on earth, they are revered as divine sources of creation and power. According to scriptures, worshipping the Sun during Kartik Shukla Paksha brings fulfillment of desires and spiritual prosperity.

During Chhath, married couples pray for the long life of their partners, unmarried devotees seek ideal life partners, and many observe fasts wishing for children. The ritual fast begins with a holy bath and the consumption of pure food, avoiding meat, fish, garlic, lentils, millet, and phapar until the conclusion of the festival.

Originally rooted in Mithila culture and traditionally celebrated in the Terai, Chhath has gained wide recognition across Nepal since 2046 BS, and particularly flourished in Kathmandu after the establishment of the Shree Chhath Puja Committee in 2062 BS.

This year, Guhyeshwori, Kamalpokhari, and Thapathali witnessed grand celebrations, with beautifully decorated ghats and thousands of devotees participating. Anil Singh, Chairperson of the Chhath Committee Guhyeshwori, said that devotees offered Arghya to the setting sun on Monday evening and to the rising sun this morning, marking the completion of the festival. Many stayed awake all night in prayer and devotion at Gaurighat.

According to religious belief, Chhath is one of the oldest Vedic festivals, first performed to honor Mother Surya (the Sun Goddess). The Mahabharata mentions the Pandavas and Draupadi observing Chhath during their exile, while in the Surya Purana, Anusuya, wife of sage Atri Muni, is said to have attained unwavering fortune by observing the Chhath fast.