A devotee makes chapatis for Kharna in Patna City on Tuesday. Picture by Sachin

Some devotees were taking a dip in the holy Ganga, while some were camping on the banks of the river to observe the festival in a different way.

Unlike many, who come to the riverbank to offer arghya to the Sun God, such devotees stay near the riverbank for four days, commencing from Nahay Khay. They would return home only after offering the morning arghya on the final day of Chhath.

Usha Devi from Jehanabad is camping at the Collectorate Ghat with her family since Monday.

“My mother-in-law had prayed to the Sun God that someone from our family would observe the festival on the banks of Ganga. So, I have come here to observe the fast. This is the first time that I am observing Chhath and I am happy that I am doing it on the banks of Ganga,” said Usha.

She, however, admitted it was difficult for her to observe the four-day festival under the open sky at the ghat.

“Monday night was cold. My children were feeling uncomfortable. We might have to face more problems but that wouldn’t deter us. I have to complete all the rituals here,” added Usha, while preparing Kharna prasad on Tuesday.

Despite facing difficulties in preparing the prasad under the open sky, there was no sign of disappointment on the faces of the devotees.

Naubatpur resident Rubi Devi, who was also observing the four-day festival at one of the ghats in Patna, said: “I decided to observe the festival at a ghat because I wanted to take all kinds of pain while observing the festival so that the Sun God is forced to fulfil my wish. I prepared the prasad and performed all the rituals at the ghat only.”

Her sister-in-law, mother-in-law and husband were also observing Chhath at the ghat.