Goa’s beaches from Miramar to Vasco and Colva will come alive with devotion as Chhath Puja begins. Hundreds of women, dressed in colorful sarees and adorned with vermilion, will stand waist-deep in water, offering prayers to the Sun God during the ancient Vedic festival.
Originally rooted in Bihar and Jharkhand, Chhath Puja has spread across India and abroad, celebrated with the same rituals and devotion. In Goa, the festival unfolds with authenticity along riverbanks in Ponda and coastal shores, preserving its spiritual essence.
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This year’s celebration began with Nahaye Khaye, followed by Kharna, Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings), and Usha Arghya (morning offerings). Folk hymns and offerings of thekua fill the air, reflecting gratitude to the Sun for life and sustenance. The Chhath Puja Seva Samiti, founded in 2013, has grown from 12 families to thousands, ensuring the centuries-old tradition thrives far from its homeland.
