Devotees observe Chhath at the Sahu Pokhar pond in Muzaffarpur. Picture by Lokesh Bihari

The district administration’s directive to ban Chhath rituals at the Budhi Gandak has not dampened the spirits of devotees in Muzaffarpur.

The Sahu Pokhar pond in the heart of town here has been a much-preferred spot for devotees to offer arghya to the Sun God for four decades now. And, undoubtedly, it would again step in and save the festival. Arghya is offered to the setting sun on the first day and to the rising sun on the concluding day of the festival. This year, Chhath would be observed on October 29 and 30.

Once owned by landlords Gajadhar Sahu and Dilip Kumar Sahu, the pond spread across 40 cottahs was constructed in 1862 to facilitate a suitable spot for visitors to the Garibnath temple. The pond lies 50 yards east of the temple. Devotees find the pond suitable to bathe in and fetch water from it before starting the rituals.

Recalling the gathering of men and women here, social activist Parmod Kumar said: “Chhath rituals began to be observed here in 1972. Devotees found the Sahu Pokhar an appropriate site to offer prayers to the Sun God.”

The central location of the pond makes it a favourite.

Pammi Sinha, a resident of Nayatola, said she and her family members have been performing Chhath rituals at Sahu Pokhar for around a decade now. Echoing a similar sentiment, Manisha Priyadarshani, who has come down from New Delhi to take part in the biggest festival of Bihar, said: “The rush has increased manifold but this spot is preferred over river banks on the outskirts of town.” Another resident, Ratan Kumar, said thousands of devotees come down to the pond to take part in the rituals or simply witness the proceedings.

According to sources, all 50 stairs of the pond are taken over by devotees at least two days before the festival. In 1996, the Muzaffarpur Municipal Corporation carried out renovation work to accommodate a large number of devotees and took measures to rid the place of garbage and filth.

Ashok Kumar, a corporation official, said civic personnel have already cleaned the Sahu Pokhar and sprinkled 10 quintals of lime into the water to disinfect the pond and kill germs. To facilitate better arrangements, including lighting and security, several measures are being taken by the district authorities. Police personnel are being deployed to regulate the flow of devotees and visitors in the vicinity of Sahu Pokhar. The police have also been directed to keep an eye on eve-teasers.

Sattan Kumar, a resident of Brahman Tola, said: “This time, there would be a huge rush of devotees. People would offer arghya. The corporation has already cleaned the pond and made necessary arrangements to accommodate the devotees.”