Chhath Puja begins

The four-day mega festival of Bihar, Chhath Puja (the worship of Sun God) began with worshippers taking holy dip in the river Ganga in Patna on October 22, 2009.

The first day is called "Nahaye Khaye". After tkaing the holy dip, worshippers carried Ganga Jal (Ganga water) to their homes for Nahaye Khaye rituals. Women also put vermilion (sindoor) to other women worshippers’ forehead as a mark of good omen.
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui