Chhath Puja 2016: On final day, people celebrate and offer prayers to Sun

Chhath is an important Hindu-Vedic festival celebrated in regions of Nepal and in many Indian states. It falls on the fourth day after Diwali and are celebrated over four days. Devotees worship the Sun god on this day, along with his younger wife, fondly called as Chhathi maiya by the believers. The people rigorously fast and abstain from even drinking water; take holy baths and offer prayers to the rising and setting sun on these days. The Sun is beleived to be the healer of many severe health conditions and is prayed to for prosperity, well-being, good health and happiness. Click through to see how India is gearing up to celebrate the festival. (Source: Reuters, PTI)

Lakhs of devotees today offered prayers to the Sun God as part of Chhath festival at Juhu beach in Mumbai. The festival is dedicated to the Sun God for supporting life on earth and ensuring prosperity and happiness in life. Married men and women observe fast of over 38- hours and stand in knee-deep water to pray for the well-being and prosperity of their families. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

In the Hindu religion, the Sun is believed to be the healer of many severe health conditions and ensures longevity, prosperity, progress and well-being. Vendors stock bananas ahead of Chhath Puja at a wholesale market in Allahabad. (Source: PTI)

A devotee braves the waves and pray's the sun god during chatt festival in Juhu Beach in Mumbai (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Vendors stocks sugarcanes ahead of Chhath Puja at a wholesale market in Allahabad. (Source: PTI)

The age-old tradition of paying obeisance to the Sun God, is observed mainly by the people from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh or Poorvanchalis. Devotee's in Mumbai congregated in large numbers at Juhu Beach to pray the sun god during chatt festival. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty )

Devotees sit on a road as they wait to collect free religious materials to perform prayers ahead of the Hindu religious festival of Chhath Puja in Kolkata. (Source: Reuters)

Celebrated mostly in Bihar and Nepal’s Mithila, Chhath Puja is dedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his wife. Women buying bamboo baskets ahead of 'Chhath Puja' in Guwahati on Friday. (Source: PTI)

Devotees stand in a queue to collect free religious materials to perform prayers ahead of the religious festival of Chhath Puja in Kolkata. (Source: Reuters)

Devotees perform the puja to thank the Sun god for supporting life on earth and seek protection and blessings. A man pours Ganga water on his mother as part of a ritual ahead of Chhath Puja in Patna. (Source: PTI)

The rituals include fasting, including abstinence from drinking water; holy bathing, offering prayers to the rising and setting sun, and meditating by standing in water for long periods of time. People buy fruits and other things for the Chhath Puja festival. (Source: PTI)

The puja starts with the ritual of 'Nahai-Khai', in which devotees prepare traditional food after bathing. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

On the final day of the puja, devotees and their friends and relatives assemble at the river bank before sunrise and offer 'Arghya' to the rising sun. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Devotee's congregated in large numbers at Juhu Beach to pray the sun god during chatt festival in Mumbai (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty).