Chhath Puja celebrated across India with great zeal; see pics

Devotees across the nation celebrated Chhath Puja, the great festival of faith, with great enthusiasm. People in large numbers gathered on the bank of ghats across the country to perform the 'Usha Arghya' (prayers to the rising sun). This year, the Chhath festival began on November 8 with 'Nahai Khai' and concluded today (November 11) with devotees performing 'Usha Arghya'. Here are some pictures from the four-day long festival.

Chhath Puja celebrated across India with great zeal; see pics

Devotees perform rituals at the bank of River Ganga while offering prayers to the 'Sun God' on the occasion of 'Chhath Puja' in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

Women worship the Sun God as they stand in Yamuna river in New Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

Devotees perform rituals during Chhath Puja, in Patiala. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees light fireworks on the banks of Yamuna river during the Chhath Puja celebrations in New Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

Women take a selfie after worshiping the Sun God on the banks of Yamuna river during the Chhath Puja in New Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

Women worship the Sun God on the banks of Yamuna during Chhath Puja in New Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo

Devotees gather at the bank of Ganga River to offer prayers to the rising Sun during Chhath Puja celebrations, in Patna. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees perform rituals during the last day of the Chhath Puja festival along a river on the outskirts of Amritsar. Credit: AFP Photo

A devotee performs rituals during the last day of the Chhath Puja festival along a river on the outskirts of Amritsar. Credit: AFP Photo

Devotees perform rituals during the last day of the Chhath Puja festival along a river on the outskirts of Amritsar. Credit: AFP Photo

Devotees play with vermilion after performing rituals at an artificial pond to prevent pollution during the Chhath Puja festival, in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees offer prayers to the rising sun after taking bath on the occasion of Chhath Puja, in Gurugram. Credit: AFP Photo

Devotees gather in large numbers to perform rituals on the banks of the Narmada river during Chhath Puja, in Jabalpur. Credit: PTI Photo

Devotees leave after offering prayers to the Sun God on the banks of Yamuna river during the Chhath Puja celebrations in New Delhi. Credit: Reuters Photo