Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and her cabinet colleagues inspected various Chhath ghats across the national capital on Wednesday, October 25, to ensure conducive preparations for the Chhath Puja festival.
The visit included inspections at prominent ghats like Prembadi, Silangpur, and Munak Canal. Following this year’s grand Diwali celebration, Delhi is gearing up for a ‘divine and devotional’ Chhath festival, according to Gupta.
Gupta stressed that the government has implemented extensive arrangements to allow devotees to perform their rituals with utmost faith and purity. With over 1,000 Chhath ghats being developed, consisting of 17 special model ghats along the Yamuna River, the government aims to ensure that at least one model ghat exists in each sub-district.
The celebrations will include cultural programs at around 200 ghats. The Delhi government promises to provide essential facilities such as tents, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, and toilets for the event.
Gupta confidently declared, “This will be the first time that the Delhi government is engaging in such a large-scale religious and cultural event.” She further stated that just as the capital dazzled the nation with a spectacular Deepotsav and drone show during Diwali, the upcoming Chhath festival will also be marked with similar grandeur and devotion.
“Delhi is not only the political capital but also becoming the capital of faith,” Gupta remarked, emphasizing the importance of the festival for the community.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, during his inspection of the Hathi Ghat near ITO, revealed that the government will permit Chhath celebrations on the Yamuna banks for the first time in decades. “What could not be done in the last 25 years has been achieved within six months of our government,” he stated.
Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, who visited the Sonia Vihar Ghat with MP Manoj Tiwari, lauded the BJP government for fulfilling its election promise by allowing Chhath Puja along the Yamuna banks—a practice banned by the previous administration. Mishra announced, “Chhath Puja will now be celebrated not only on the Yamuna banks but also at around 1,300 other ghats.”
In South Delhi, MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri inspected ghats in Deoli and Sangam Vihar, launching a cleanliness drive with support from various Chhath Puja Committees. He stated, “Chhath is a symbol of cultural unity and faith. The previous government filed cases against Purvanchali brothers and sisters for celebrating the festival, but our government has withdrawn all such cases and is ensuring the best facilities for devotees.”
Several local leaders, including MLA Chandan Chaudhary, South District BJP President Maya Bisht, Councillor Satpal Anita Singhal, and other party workers participated in the cleanliness initiative at the ghats.
Meanwhile, Social Welfare Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh visited ghats in the Bawana constituency, directing officials to complete all necessary preparations by Friday morning. Singh also suggested developing Rohini’s Lake Park as a ‘Model Chhath Ghat’ to enhance the festive experience.
Chhath Puja, a revered four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, will be celebrated from October 25 to 28 across the national capital, uniting people in devotion and cultural richness.
