JANAKPUR: The Chhath festival, one of the most important celebrations in the Mithila region, officially began today (Saturday).

Preparations and decorations are in full swing at various ghats in Janakpurdham, including Ganga Sagar, Argajasar, Dasharath Talau, Dhanush Sagar, and Matkorwa Pokhari.

According to Ganga Sagar Chhath Committee Chairperson Harinarayan Gupta, decoration work has been completed on half of the Ganga Sagar area this year, similar to previous years.

“We have arranged better management and sanitation at the ghats compared to the past,” he said. Gupta added that an offering fee of Rs 600 per devotee has been set this year. “Not everyone pays, but even those who don’t pay still offer prayers here. Every year, we issue about 300 to 350 tickets, and the collected funds are enough to cover management expenses,” he explained.

Decoration at Ganga Sagar is nearing completion, with tarpaulin setup in the final stage and lighting work ongoing.

Three different committees are involved in the decoration work. Similarly, Birendra Karna, secretary of the committee constructing the Argajasar ghat, said preparations began soon after Dashain.

“We are now focused on cleaning and decorating the area,” he said, adding that members of both Hindu and Muslim communities participate at the site.

“We collect small voluntary donations from those offering arghya, but there is no compulsion,” he clarified. Local police have been coordinating for peace and security management.

Around 5,000 devotees are expected to offer arghya at this pond, a number that has been increasing each year.

As the festival is deeply rooted in domestic agricultural production, locals prepare offerings using homegrown wheat, rice, and other grains, ground by hand mills to make the sacred ingredients for rituals.

Markets in Janakpurdham are crowded with people purchasing clay and bamboo items, which are considered pure for Chhath rituals.