Patna, Oct. 30: Daroga Prasad Rai Path is an important spot for Chhath devotees this time of the year. Women can be seen making earthen hearths for the devotees here.

The day after nahay khay, devotees cook vegetarian food on these hearths, considered pure. Reason: These are prepared from the soil from the banks of Ganga. The women from the minority community, who make these hearths, are a hit with the devotees of the Sun God. The makers keep in mind the purity of Chhath and prepare the hearths in a clean area.

Priced at Rs 30-50, depending on the size, the hearth-makers also make a killing at this time.

Thirty-year-old Sabina Khatun is one of them. She said: “Chhath is considered the biggest festival in the state and we make the hearths with great care to maintain the sanctity of rituals. These are made with soil collected from the banks of the Ganga. It is mandatory to mix sacred soil while making these. We have to maintain the purity. During Chhath, the devotees do not even bargain with us. This allows us to make good money.”

Sultana Begum, another hearth-maker, said: “It gives me immense pleasure that I am also a part of Chhath. Sunrays fall on people of all castes and religions. If the sun does not differentiate, then why should we? Making hearth for the Chhath devotees is our way to pay respect to the sun.”

A devotee, Rajnish Kumar, said: “Earthen hearths are pure and are made by only a few families. We are thankful to them. It is a difficult task. We just have to check if they are damaged as the food prepared in a damaged earthen hearth is considered impure.”