Chhath Puja, the four-day festival dedicated to the Sun God, is being observed near Tank Bund in Hyderabad as devotees from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh gather to continue their traditions far from home. Widely celebrated across India, the festival involves fasting, purification, and prayers offered at rivers, ponds, or lakes.

The four days – Nahay Khay (Day 1), Kharna (Day 2), Sandhya Arghya (Day 3), Usha Arghya or Parun (Day 4) symbolize purification, self-restraint, and praying for the health and well-being of family and community. On the first day, devotees take a holy bath and follow a simple Satvik diet. The second day is dedicated to fasting and preparing offerings at home, with meals cooked on clay chulhas. The main rituals begin on the third day, when families gather at water bodies to offer Arghya to the setting sun, and continue on the fourth day with offerings to the rising sun.

Elaborate arrangements have been made at Tank Bund, including temporary ghats, lighting, barricades, changing areas, and clean water access. Police, medical teams, and volunteers are on duty to manage the crowd and ensure safety as devotees arrive for the concluding rituals.

Chhath Puja is unique in its simplicity and discipline. Unlike many other festivals, it involves no idol worship; prayers are offered directly to the sun, believed to be the source of life and energy. For families in Hyderabad, celebrating at Tank Bund is not just a ritual—it is a moment of togetherness, cultural connection, and heartfelt devotion, keeping the spirit of home alive even far from their native state.