Patna, Nov 14 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin on Saturday praised the youth for embracing ‘Chhath Puja’ in a “beautiful and wonderful way” and cited it as the reason for the festival gaining global recognition.
Earlier in the day, Nabin extended greetings to devotees on ‘Kharna’, the second-day of Chhath Puja.
Speaking to IANS, the BJP Chief said: “I believe that the younger generation has embraced this holy festival in such a beautiful and wonderful way. That is precisely why, as the younger generations have internalised it, this festival has now reached an international level.”
“Today, all our children who used to live in Bihar have gone to America for studies or to cities like Mumbai and Delhi for jobs. But they did not leave behind their traditions or customs. Today, that is the very reason why Chhath has reached across the country and the world,” he said, crediting the youngsters for holding on to their traditional roots.
The BJP Chief noted that the previous generation taught discipline and the rituals associated with this festival which has been absorbed by this new generation.
“I think this is a huge strength of Bihar’s culture which also stands out as a message for the country and the world,” he said.
Nabin asserted that ‘Chhath Puja’ is being celebrated with the same enthusiasm even outside of Bihar.
“And it’s not just Biharis; people other than Biharis also celebrate this festival with great fervour,” he said while describing it as “worship of nature”.
Earlier in the day, Nabin extended Chhath greetings.
“Today is the second day, ‘Kharna’. Today, kheer is distributed as prasad to everyone through the Chhath devotees. May this festival, connected to our culture and traditions, bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into all of our lives,” he told IANS.
Meanwhile, Nabin’s wife Deepmala also wished devotes on the sacred occasion.
Speaking to IANS, she said: “May Chhathi Maiya keep all the people of Bihar and the entire country well and healthy. May happiness, peace, and prosperity prevail and may the nation keep progressing.”
Explaining the importance of ‘Kharna’, the second day of Chhath, she added: “After Naha-Khay, when we purified our bodies…Today is the day for the purification of the soul. Cleansing the filth of the mind and preparing oneself for the worship of God is what it is all about.”
–IANS
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