Today’s festivals

Third and principal day of Chhath Puja — at sunset, devotees (still fasting) stand waist-deep in a river and offer the first Arghya (water oblation) to the setting Sun. The most attended gathering of the festival; bamboo baskets of fruit, sugarcane and Thekua are offered.

• Sunset Arghya at river
• Bamboo baskets of fruit, sugarcane, coconut
• Thekua (traditional sweet)
• Diyas floated on river

Six-day fast culminating in Lord Murugan's victory over demon Soorapadman (Soorasamharam)

• 6-day fast
• Kavadi
• Vel worship
• Soorasamharam re-enactment

Fourth and final day of Chhath Puja — before dawn, devotees return to the river and offer the second Arghya (Usha Arghya) to the rising Sun. After the Sun appears above the horizon the 36-hour Nirjala fast is broken with Chhath prasad. The festival concludes with great celebration.

• Pre-dawn river gathering
• Sunrise Arghya (Usha Arghya)
• Breaking 36-hour Nirjala fast
• Chhath prasad distribution