Ranchi: The four-day festival of purity, devotion, and faith — Chhath Mahaparv — began on Saturday with the traditional Nahay-Khay ritual. Devotees observed the day with utmost sanctity, taking a holy bath and consuming a simple, sattvic meal of rice, bottle gourd curry, and gram dal to mark the beginning of the festival.
Markets across Ranchi buzzed with festive activity, though rising prices added strain to devotees’ pockets. Yet, the spirit of devotion overshadowed inflation, as faith and dedication remained at the heart of the celebration. For the devout, Chhath is not about cost or effort, but about surrender and sincerity.
Despite soaring prices, preparations for Chhath continued with zeal. Mango wood — essential for preparing prasad — sold at around ₹300 per bundle, while loose mango logs fetched ₹30 per kg. Earthen stoves touched ₹300 apiece, and sugarcane, once available for ₹10–15, now sold for ₹40 a stick.
Vegetable prices too skyrocketed. Turmeric and ginger reached ₹200 per kg, while carrots and other essentials saw a sharp rise. Even earthen lids, once sold for ₹5–10, now cost up to ₹50.
Still, devotees remained undeterred. “True worship of Chhathi Maiya lies in purity and devotion, not in material cost,” said one observer. “Prices may rise, but our faith and vows will never waver.”
Meanwhile, Kali Puja Swagat Samiti, Harmu Road, distributed 1,101 coconuts among devotees on Saturday. Committee founder and president Prem Verma said the group undertakes various community service activities every year during the festival, including cleaning drives, decorative lighting, and fruit distribution.
This year, committee members visited areas such as Harmu Road, Shiv Shakti Nagar, Anand Nagar, Kishorganj, Irgu Toli, and Shivganj, offering coconuts (shriphal) to those observing the holy fast.
The gesture created a sense of joy and devotion among the devotees, while the committee also contributed to cleaning and decorating Chhath ghats. Prem Verma said such initiatives strengthen community bonds and help preserve the spiritual and cultural essence of traditional festivals.
Among those present were Anil Mathur, former councillor Omprakash Chandan, Verma Vijay Khare, Joginder Prajapati, Pranik Verma, Ramu Soni, and Dhruv Prajapati, along with several committee members.