NASHIK: Ghats on the banks of the Godavari were crowded with devotees carrying sugarcane stalks and colourful cotton garments to offer to the Sun god on the auspicious occasion of Chhat Puja on Tuesday evening.Women, mainly married women, worshipped the Sun and offered evening 'Arghya' at sunset, singing traditional songs in Hindi, Avadhi and Bhojpuri in praise of deities of the Sun and Chhati Mata.Ram Kund and adjacent ghats were transformed into a fair. Temporary shops came up on the ghats, selling festive treats. People arrived in groups with family and reserved their places on the banks of Godavari hours before sunset.For the convenience of early birds, groups from the North Indian communities that traditionally engage in this ceremony established temporary stages and made seating arrangements. Singers and performers were invited to perform Bhojpuri songs and Bhajans. Performances began with sunset and continued till late evening."Chhath puja is special - it is the only festival celebrated without involving priests. Devotees themselves perform all the rituals," said scholar Pt Hemant Sharma, adding that any water body can be used for the ritual.Opportunity to meet others from the community Nashik has a fairly large population of North Indians. Chhath Puja presents an opportunity for these communities to come together. "All sections of North Indians celebrate the festival with enthusiasm," said Suresh Kanaujia, founder of the Kanaujiya Samaj Sanstha.Women worshippers observe a fast on the occasion . "We celebrate the Chhat Parva for three days. The fast started today morning and will continue till sunrise tomorrow. We will offer prayers to the rising Sun on Wednesday morning and have milk and Prasad to break the fast," said Kanchan Shrivastava, a resident of old CIDCO.The morning Arghya will be offered at 6.30 am onwards on Wednesday. Women perform Chhat Puja to ensure the well-being and long life of their children and other family members.

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