Ensure smooth Chhath Puja celebrations in the city: Mumbai BJP

To facilitate smooth Chhath Puja celebrations in the city, the Mumbai unit of BJP has urged the district administration to extend all possible support to devotees on the occasion on November 6 and 7, when scores of people will congregate on the Juhu beach to make offerings to the Sun God here.

A delegation led by Mumbai BJP General Secretary Amarjeet Mishra met District Collector Deependra Singh Kushwaha and apprised him about the demands and requirements of the devotees.

Chhath Puja also called 'Dala Puja' is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God. It is popular in the North and Eastern Indian states of Bihar and UP. During the two-day festival, devotees observe fast and make offerings to the Sun God near a pond or sea.

Over the years, during Chhath celebrations in Mumbai, few political leaders, as organisers started inviting celebrities to the festival, diluting its essence.

Mishra also urged the administration to make all arrangements within the purview of the court ruling.

The Bombay High Court has prohibited celebs from taking part in Chhath Puja celebrations at the Juhu beach here, questioning the need to invite them for song and dance during the rituals which dampens its sanctity and purity.

Apart from Juhu beach, Sanjay Gandhi National Garden, Shivaji Park, Colaba and Banganga are a few other venues where devotees gather and take a holy dip during sunrise and sunset on the occasion.

"The administration needs to make arrangements for barricading, mobile toilets, green rooms, drinkable water, proper lighting, lost and found desk, announcement system, life guards etc. Though, we do not question administration's efficiency, but it was better to alert it on our behalf," he said.

Our delegation also apprised the District Collector about the security arrangements and the measures taken by the state government last year, which ensured the smooth passage of the two-day long festival.