Muslim families observing Chhath Puja for past 53 years at over dozen Bhojpur villages

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : Hindu and Muslim families are observing Chhath Puja in over a dozen villages including Ramsagar village under Barhara block in Bhojpur district for the last 53 years setting an example of communal harmony. Muslim families too  observe the festival with same zeal, enthusiasm, purity and sanctity and in the same manner.

The villagers said that in 1967, people of Ramsagar, Devrath, Gulab Chhapara, Mani Chhapara, Chhitani Ke Bag, Panditpur, Matukpur, Barhara, Rampur, Lala Ke Tola, Semaria, Padariya, Keshopur, Karaja, and Bhushula villages collected funds and constructed a Sun temple at Ramsagar village and ever since since Muslim families are observing Chhath Puja. They observe nahay-khay, kharana and offer Arghya or oblation to the setting and rising Sun like the Hindu families at the same Chhath Ghat. After Chhath, a three day culture programme is organised in which youths from both the community participate with zest.

Mukhia, Matukpur, Sumit Kumar, said that Hindu and Muslim brethren are observing Chhath Puja for last 53 years with harmony at these village.