New Delhi: Hindu women devotees offer prayers after bathing as part of the ritualistic rituals of the four-day long Chhath Puja ceremony, as poisonous foam floats on the surface of the polluted Yamuna river.
The first day of Chhath Puja began on Monday when devotees took a dip in the Yamuna river near Kalindi Kunj. However, devotees expressed dismay over the water quality in the river as a thick layer of toxic foam can be seen on the river surface due to rising pollution levels in the national capital.
“The importance of taking a dip in the river in Chhath Puja. I have come here but the water is dirty. It is causing a lot of trouble for us. It can also cause diseases. But we are helpless. Cleaning of water and Ghats in Bihar. are much better. The Delhi government should ensure that the ghats are cleaned,” said Kalpana.
Sushma, who was also there to take a dip, said, “The water is extremely dirty, but what can we do? We have to take a bath. I am from Banka, Bihar. The water in Sultanganj is really good. But we have Had to come here because our family lives here.”
Local resident Shakeel said that the foam has been lying for about a month.
“I am a diver and have been living here for the last 25 years. People take bath with soap and shampoo and wash their clothes too. Water is coming from every house and drains here. This creates foam. This Foam is forming in the river for a month.
According to experts, the toxic froth occurs due to the high phosphate content after the discharge of industrial pollutants, including detergents, into the river. The level of ammonia in the river is also increasing.
Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God and is mainly celebrated by the people of the border areas of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
According to Hindu tradition, devotees worship the Sun God and his wife Usha to express gratitude and seek his blessings. During the four-day festival, devotees gather and take a holy dip in rivers, ponds and other water bodies.
This year, the festival began with the ritual ‘Nahai Khai’ on November 8 and will conclude on November 11 with devotees offering ‘Usha Arghya’ (prayer to the rising sun).
The main festival is on 10th November when devotees will offer ‘Argha’ to the Sun God.
(with inputs from agencies)
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