Chhath Puja festival begins in Bihar

The four-day Chhath Puja, the greatest festival of Bihar, began with the ritual of "Nahaye Khaye" (bathing and Eating) in Patna on November 10, 2010. On the first day, devotees took holy dip in river Ganga and collected holy Ganga water to perform other sacred rituals. Putting Sindur (vermilion) to another woman's forehead is said to be the auspices after bathing in river Ganga.

Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui