Patna: The four-day Chhath festival began early on Tuesday with thousands of devotees thronging the riverbanks to bathe before preparing the traditional food.

However, the local committee members were of great help for those who were unable to visit the Ganga ghats. Various social organisations, made up of include local residents have created artificial man made ponds in their areas and are also arranging Puja items for devotees.

At Ravi Chowk in Rajiv Nagar, local youths have dug a 40ftX30ft artificial pond. The pond is of great help for devotees from Ravi Chowk, Baba Chowk, Patel Nagar and other nearby areas who prefer to offer arghya at home to avoid the rush at Ganga ghats. "With the help and cooperation of residents, we have dug the pond. The pond will be beautifully decorated with flowers and will be illuminated with lights so that devotees don't face difficulties in offering arghya," said Bipin Kumar, an organiser of Chhath Puja Samiti at Ravi Chowk.

Water will arranged from nearby houses and apartments for filling the pond. Ganga water from 101 earthen pots will be poured into the pond. Bipin said: "The local committee will also distribute Puja items such flowers, incense sticks and fruits among devotees." Once the festival ends, the pond will be filled with mud and sand to prevent accidents. Around 2km away, BSEB Colony residents too have dug two ponds and named them Gangotri and Ganga. Water from tankers and the colony borewell will be used to fill up the ponds.

The district administration and Patna Municipal Corporation have dug 49 ponds in different parts of Patna. Water in these ponds will be filled up from 23 water tankers. Maximum number of ponds has been dug in Kankerbagh.