KATHMANDU: Today marks the main day of Chhath Parva—Kartik Shukla Shasthi—when devotees worship and offer arghya (holy offerings) to the setting sun with full rituals.

Observers of the fast begin their day with a ritual bath and spend the entire day fasting without water, concluding the day’s worship by offering arghya to the setting sun in the evening.

The festival, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, is observed from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi to Saptami and began this year on Saturday.

According to the ancient epic Mahabharata, the tradition of Chhath began when Draupadi and the five Pandavas prayed to the Sun God during their period of exile, seeking blessings for the successful completion of their incognito stay.

It is said that they were residing in King Virata’s court at the time, and from then on, the practice of celebrating Chhath started.

As mentioned in the Surya Purana, Atri Muni’s wife, Anusuiya, was the first to observe the Chhath fast.

As a result, she attained eternal good fortune and her husband’s unwavering love.

The Purana records that this marked the origin of the Chhath festival.

All material development in the world is believed to depend on the Sun.

Without solar energy, no trees, plants, animals, or living beings could exist.

Many physicians throughout history have written about the healing power of sunlight, and it is said that sunlight can even cure various incurable diseases in miraculous ways.