Ranchi, Nov. 13: Fed up with the dirty lakes and unclean ghats — common during Chhath — some families here have decided to construct small ponds in their house.

Chhathvartees (devotees) generally offer argh (obeisance to the sun god) at the neighbourhood water bodies. The rituals are performed early in the morning and the crowd could make the community ponds an undesirable place for some.

One family that would not have to go ghat hunting this year is that of Harmu Housing Colony-based Anand Kumar Dewedi.

“We have decided to bring a plastic swimming pool costing between Rs 500 and Rs 600 and place it on the roof for offering prayers. It can hold six people and comes in rectangular or oval. This year we would be performing the rituals at home,” added Dewedi.

On the advantage of a home-made pond, he said: “The devotee has to get up at 2am to go to the ghat and offer argh. It would be easier to perform the rituals in the home.”

While the Dewedis would go to the roof for Chhath pujas, the Morhabadi- based Sinhas have gone a step further.

Head of the family Raman Sinha said they have sta- rted work for the construction of a cement pond in their courtyard. “It would cost between Rs 2,000 and Rs 4,000,” said Sinha.

Explaining the advantage of a home pond, he said: “Every year we used to offer argh at Ranchi Lake, which is a little cleaner than other water bodies. But finding space here was a big problem as there are several devotees who mark space on the banks, some two weeks in advance. Having a pond of your own is quite hassle-free as relatives can also offer argh here and avoid the crowd.”