New Delhi, October 22 (IANS). Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the Diwali of Delhi this time was grand so that the Chhath festival of faith and devotion will be full of divinity. The government has completed preparations to make Chhath festival wide and elaborate, so that devotees can celebrate this festival with complete purity and faith. The Chief Minister says that this time more than 1000 Chhath Ghats are being constructed across Delhi, out of which 17 special and large model ghats are being constructed on the banks of Yamuna. At least one model ghat is constructed by the government in each sub-district. Cultural programs related to Chhath Puja will also be organized at around 200 ghats. CM Rekha Gupta also says that all the MPs, MLAs, councilors and public representatives of Delhi have started the cleanliness drive at the Chhath Ghats which are being built in their respective areas from Wednesday. He also informed that a case was filed against the devotees performing Chhath Puja on Yamuna some years ago. The government decided to withdraw these cases. CM Rekha Gupta gave detailed information about the organization of Chhath Puja during the press conference held at the Delhi Secretariat on Wednesday and said that the government is making special preparations to make the Chhath festival grand this time. During this conference, Delhi Development and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra and Chief Whip Abhay Verma were also with him. He said that Chhath Puja is not just a festival but a celebration of faith, culture and devotion of Delhi. The government ban imposed on Chhath Puja on Yamuna river for years has been lifted this time. The Chief Minister said that the government is now itself constructing places of worship with all necessary facilities on the banks of Yamuna for the devotees. He said that model Chhath ghats are being constructed at a total of 17 major locations on the banks of Yamuna from Palla to Kalindi Kunj. Depending on the population, the length of these ghats will vary from half a kilometer to one and a half kilometers. Apart from this, at least one model Chhath Ghat will be constructed in every district and sub-district so that devotees from all areas can worship with ease and devotion. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta informed that last time Chhath Puja was organized at only 929 ghats, while this year till now more than one thousand committees have sought permission from the government to organize the event. All facilities like tents, electricity, sanitation, drinking water and toilets will be provided by the government at all these ghats. This time, a huge welcome gate will be built to welcome the Chhath fast and devotees, where they will be greeted by showering flowers. He also informed that cultural programs in Bhojpuri and Maithili languages will be organized according to the religious setting at more than 200 ghats. According to the chief minister, this will be the first time that the Delhi government itself will be a part of such a large-scale religious and cultural event. He said that mobile toilets, livestock and medical vans will be deployed at most places. CM Rekha Gupta also informed that a special cleanliness drive will be started from today, under which all the MPs, MLAs, councilors and other public representatives of Delhi will go to the ghats of their respective areas and conduct cleanliness drives. During the conference, the Chief Minister also informed that during the previous government cases were registered against the devotees who were going to perform Chhath Puja in the year 2021 on the banks of Yamuna. Now the Delhi government will withdraw all those FIRs and cases. Restrictions on faith were introduced by the former government, while the current government respects faith. He said just as Delhi created history on the occasion of Diwali and organized a grand drone show and Deepotsav on the service road for the first time, this time Chhath Puja will also be divine and grand. He said that now Delhi is going to become not only the capital of politics but also the capital of faith. With the same devotion with which the people of Delhi lit the lamps, they will offer Arghya to the Sun God on the banks of Yamuna. –IANS DKP/
The Diwali of Delhi was grand, Chhath festival will be full of divinity: CM Rekha Gupta
