The Falgu river in Gaya is important for Chhath Puja apart from its significance for peace to departed souls.

It is a subterranean river where water flows under the riverbed owing to a curse, according to mythology. But the curse is a boon for the people of Gaya during Chhath festival. Most importantly, it is a no-risk river where there is no fear of drowning because there is hardly knee-deep or waist-deep water, that too when there is heavy rainfall in monsoon.

The Falgu originates near Khiriawan village on Gaya-Bodhgaya road. Before Khiriawan, it is known as Niranjana.

The width of the riverbed is around 820 metres, which easily accommodates lakhs of devotees during Chhath. When there is scanty rainfall during monsoon, the district administration gets kunds dug in the riverbed by using earthmovers.

“It is very nice when there is at least knee-deep water in the river. All family members and friends can offer arghya to the Sun God without any fear of drowning. Besides, children and the elderly too are at no risk,” said Anamika Tiwari, a Chhath vrati (devotee).

“People, especially children, enjoy because there is no space limitation or fear while being on the Falgu riverbed during Chhath. The environment is like a fair,” said Rupesh Kumar of New Godown. “Around 15 years ago, children used to enjoy elephant and camel rides during Chhath. But it has been discontinued. Youngsters now enjoy gorging on an array of snacks from kiosks, while hawkers sell small toys.”

Several ghats dot the stretch of the Falgu from the south to the north. They were created during different periods of time as part of beautification. Some of them include Deo Ghat, Pitamaheshwar Ghat, Brahmni Ghat, Mahadev Ghat, Mallah Toli Ghat, Sidhia Ghat, Rai Bageshwari Ghat, Dandibagh Ghat, Kendui Ghat and Polytechnic Ghat.

At all the ghats, stairs have been constructed to step into the Falgu. Devotees go to the respective ghats during Chhath to offer arghya to the Sun God in the evening and the following morning as per convenience. The district administration, as well as some voluntary organisations, makes arrangements at these ghats.

Policemen and also volunteers are deployed near the ghats to control and facilitate smooth entry and exit of the large number of devotees. Gaya district magistrate (DM) Kumar Ravi, who reviewed the preparation for Chhath on October 20, said 25 ghats had

been identified where the Gaya Municipal Corporation will make all possible arrangements for the devotees.
The DM also directed that the ghats be barricaded to regulate the huge rush of devotees thronging the ghats.
For rural areas, the DM asked all sub-divisional officers to hold meetings with panchayat mukhiyas (panchayat heads) and ensure necessary arrangements.