The four-day festival of faith and devotion, Chhath Puja, began on Saturday with the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khaay. Dedicated to the Sun god, the festival celebrates the harmony between nature and humanity, embodying purity, gratitude, and discipline.

On the first day, devotees, known as 'Vratis (people who are fasting)' take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple, 'sattvic (having qualities of purity, harmony, and balance)' meal of arwa chawal (plain rice) and lauki ki sabzi (bottle gourd curry) after offering prayers. Other traditional foods like chana dal, amla chutney, and papad are prepared and later served as 'prasad (ritual food offering)'.