Hundreds of Indian-Americans Gathers in Virginia to Celebrate Chhath Puja

Richmond (US): Keeping ir family trition of generations alive, hundreds of Indian-American community members along with ir friends and families gared in US state of Virginia to worship Sun God as part of Hindu festival of Chhath Puja.

Virginia community observed "Kharna" ritual on Wednesday, which involves fasting from sunrise to sunset and avoiding even water to purify both body and soul.

Celebrating on River Banks with Local Support

members of community in Virginia celebrated festival of Chhath with tritional observance of Kharna on Wednesday.

Kharna ritual involves devotees fasting from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from even water, to purify mselves physically and spiritually.

members of community joined celebrations in Virginia after receiving permission from local authorities to perform rituals on banks of a river in ir town.

"When we came here, we were worried about how to do Chhath puja in this new country, where would we find a river was also a concern. So one day our whole group went to a park that was beside a river, and we thought it was a good eugh for Chhath if we got permission," a resident told PTI videos.

"We contacted county and park authorities, and y told us that y don't have any problem. Since n, every year Chhath is celebrated near that river, and today re are around 700 people who come near that lake to celebrate festival," resident said.

Growing Participation and Cultural Acceptance

Ar resident ded that, for Americans, it was unusual to see such a big vermilion tika on forehe and practice of going to lake, but y are w used to it.

"w even Americans come to ask for Pras. When we give m kua (fritters), y are happy to eat it. It was possible to celebrate Chhath beside river because of my friends here. In first year, it was just 7-8 families who started celebration, but w a lot of families come to ghat, so it feels really good," she said.

Chhath Puja: A Festival of Reverence for Sun God

Chhath Puja is one of most auspicious festivals in Bihar , Jharkhand and Eastern Uttar Presh. festival is dedicated to Sun God, which people believe sustains life on earth. puja is also performed to seek blessings from Sun God to live a long, healthy, prosperous life.

(With PTI inputs)