The Gautam Buddha Nagar Police have deployed approximately 2,500 civil police personnel and two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) to ensure the peaceful and smooth celebration of Chhath Puja across the district, Additional/Joint Commissioner of Police Sankalp Sharma stated.
Senior police officers have conducted physical inspections of all natural and artificial ghats where devotees are expected to offer prayers. Necessary arrangements, including lighting and security measures, have been implemented at all designated locations to facilitate devotees and maintain safety during the celebrations.
Chhath Puja will be observed at 146 locations across Gautam Buddha Nagar, with 13 sites typically attracting larger crowds. Special arrangements have been made at these key locations for crowd management and law enforcement.
For effective deployment and monitoring, Gautam Buddha Nagar has been divided into 10 zones and 26 sectors, with police personnel assigned accordingly. The overall force includes around 2,500 civil police and two PAC companies to cover the district comprehensively.
Expressing confidence in the preparations, Sharma said, “We are confident that the Chhath festival will be conducted very successfully and carried out in a smooth and orderly manner.”
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, symbolizing purity, devotion and gratitude. This year it began with Nahay Khay on November 13, which involves devotees taking a holy bath and preparing a traditional meal of Arwa rice, chana dal, and lauki (bottle gourd).
The second day, Kharna on November 14, includes a fast observed from sunrise to sunset with abstinence from food and water. The fast is broken after sunset with prayers and offerings of jaggery-based kheer and roti, followed by a rigorous 36-hour fast without food or water.
On the third day, Sandhya Arghya, devotees gather at riverbanks and water bodies to offer prayers to the setting sun. The festival concludes on November 16 with Usha Arghya, when prayers are offered to the rising sun at dawn, followed by Parana, the conclusion of the fast.
Devotees seek blessings for the health, prosperity and well-being of their families during the celebrations.