A devotee carries water from the Ganga at Patipul Ghat in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Spic and span Ganga ghats were a sweet surprise on Monday for many a devotee observing Nahay Khay — the first ritual of the four-day Chhath festivities.

Chhath will end with morning arghya on Thursday.

A large number of devotees congregated at the ghats where unprecedented safety arrangements were made by the district administration.

The Telegraph visited a number of ghats on Monday morning to check the preparedness of the district administration and found that most of the promises having been made had been fulfilled. The devotees started gathering at the ghats since 5am and the police deployment were made from 4.30am.

At Patipul Ghat, everything looked at place as the constables helped devotees. Garbage had completely been removed and proper barricading was in place for their safety. Even a watchtower was there in place.

Vibha Singh, a Chhath devotee and resident of Rajeev Nagar, took a bath, filled water in a copper vessel and went to the changing room.

“I have been coming to this ghat for the past 13 years but had never seen such extraordinary arrangement by the district administration. It was never so clean and for the first time, the administration had made arrangements for changing room and even shelter for the devotees. I am very happy with the arrangement and hope to find every year,” she said.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) boats could also be spotted with the approach road being well decked with proper lighting across the ghats. Popular Sharda Sinha Chhath songs like “Kelwa ke paat par ugalan suraj mal jhake jhuke” were also being played at ghats where people were found making small clay idols and putting vermilion on them with incense stick put over it and rice spread over it.

Many devotees were also found washing wheat at the ghats from which they will prepare thekua.

Almost similar scene was observed at Minar Ghat. However, compared to the number of people gathered at Patipul Ghat, it was less crowded because of slushy ground.

But the officials were found giving proper direction to the people to avert any untoward incident. “We have never seen any officials visiting the ghats so early in the past and due to them the labourers are working fast to make the proper arrangement,” said Sati Rani, a resident of Digha, who has been observing the festival for past six years.

Collectorate Ghat equally looked spic and span being the centre of attraction as the direction is being issued from the district magistrate’s office.

Two pontoon bridges — one for entry and another for exit — have been built with green carpet over them. “The green carpet has been used for two purposes — first, it looks good and importantly, to cover the gap between two joints,” said a magistrate deputed at Collectorate Ghat.

At Mahendru Ghat, which is expected to receive at least 1 lakh devotees, was found equally well prepared with two pontoon bridge put up. After every 100m, one generator was visible to provide uninterrupted power supply. Temporary toilets were also made for the devotees.

Sadar deputy superintendent of police Ramakant Prasad was found giving direction to his team at Mahendra Ghat around 9.45am. “I do not think you will find any loophole on Monday. Everything is well planned and we will ensure everything goes smoothly,” he said.