Birgunj: The ponds and river ghats across the Birgunj metropolis have been beautifully decorated for the Chhath festival, a popular celebration of the Sun God. More than a dozen Chhath ghats, or ceremonial riverbanks, have been transformed, including Ghadiarwa Pond and Ranighat Chhapkaiya’s Chhatghat. Each location is adorned like a “bride,” adding to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Traditionally, locals gather at nearby ponds and ghats to perform Chhath Puja, a ritual seeking blessings for health and prosperity. Many residents are cleaning and decorating their neighborhood ghats, ensuring a welcoming environment for worship.
Rajeshman Singh, Chief of the Birgunj Metropolitan Municipality, has been inspecting the preparations. “We are working hard to make sure the Chhath festival is celebrated in a grand and respectful manner,” Singh stated.
Several notable locations in Birgunj, including Ghadiarwa Pond and Maidhiya Pond, are attracting large crowds with their unique decorations. Visitors from neighboring cities in Nepal and even across the Indian border come to witness the spectacular lights and traditional displays.
Dilip Shah Kanu, chairman of the Chhath Puja Management Committee, is particularly proud of the festive look at Ghadiarwa Pond. “We have been celebrating Chhath here for 22 years, and this year’s decorations are especially grand,” Kanu shared. With flickering seven-colored lights and an intricately decorated pandal, the site has become a major attraction. Kanu invites visitors from cities across Nepal to experience the Chhath celebrations in Birgunj.
Local efforts include sanitation improvements, with increased cleaning around Ghadiarwa Pond. To prevent dengue outbreaks, the city has conducted “search and destroy” measures to remove mosquito-breeding areas.
The Chhath festival, which runs from Kattik Shukla Chaturthi to Shasthi, sees women across Terai-Madhesh offering prayers for the happiness and prosperity of their families. This year, the main celebration falls on November 7 (Kattika 22), with the Birgunj community eagerly preparing for the special occasion.
