NOIDA: Lakhs of devotees are gearing up for the four-day Chhath puja beginning on Tuesday, with over 12,000 devotees expected to visit Sector 71 alone. For the festival, a 60ft-long, 25ft-wide and 4ft-deep artificial pond has been dug near Shiv Shakti Apartments, Sector 71, where Shri Sahyog Chhath Puja Samiti has been organising Chhath puja for the past 17 years.Similar artificial ponds are being dug in sectors 12, 19, 20, 21A, 22, 31, 45, 55, 66, 62, 82, 93, and 110, as well as in Chhajarsi, Chotpur, Mamura, Hoshiarpur, Morna, Chalera, Sadarpur and Bhangel villages.Akhil Bharatiya Pravasi Mahasabha, which organises Chhath puja in different parts of Noida, has demanded water, adequate lighting, cleanliness and security arrangements from Noida Authority CEO Alok Tandon, SSP Love Kumar and district magistrate B N Singh for devotees celebrating the festival from Tuesday. "Chhath is the biggest festival in worship of Sun god, which is largely celebrated by people of Bihar and Purvanchal. We've requested that all necessary facilities be provided to the devotees on the occasion," said Munna Kumar Sharma, president, Akhil Bhartiya Pravasi Mahasabha.Sharma also called for a one-day holiday by the state government to facilitate the devotees in completing their fast and prayers on the occasion.While a large number of local eastern cultural events such as music and dance are scheduled to be performed during the festivities, the banks of the rivers Hindon and Yamuna are also being lit up and prepared for the festival.

Source: Times of India October 23, 2017 22:52 UTC