Siliguri, 14th November: Preparations are underway at the Sun Temple at Gita Devi Chhath Ghat in Samarnagar, Siliguri, ahead of Chhath Puja. Located between the Mahananda and Mahishmari Rivers, the temple is the only Sun Temple in North Bengal. Work is progressing rapidly, including cleaning of the ghat, painting of the temple, construction of pandals and installation of lighting.
Special arrangements have been made at the temple premises for Chhath Puja on November 15 and 16. Ramesh Shah, President of the temple committee, said that around 150 devotees observing the Chhath fast are expected to offer prayers to the Sun God at the ghat this year.
The programme will include a yajna and prasad distribution. The committee has also planned to distribute winter clothes and blankets.
The Sun Temple was first established at the ghat in 1996. It was subsequently reconstructed in 2014 through an initiative of the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA).
Apart from Siliguri, devotees from Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and neighbouring areas of Bihar also visit the temple to perform Chhath Puja.
Special arrangements are being made to ensure the convenience and safety of devotees and those observing the fast. The temple committee is currently busy completing the final preparations ahead of the festival.
