Chhath is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Madhesh region of Nepal.
The Chhath Puja is dedicated to the solar deity Surya and Shashthi devi in order to thank them for their life.
It is believed that the main sources of Sun's powers are his wife Usha and Pratyusha.
The first rays of the Sun and its last rays are worshiped
The rituals are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days.
The rituals are rigourous and includes fasting, abstaining from drinking water and standing in water for long hours
Some devotees also perform a prostration march as they head for the river banks.
Some devotees also perform a prostration march as they head for the river banks.
Environmentalists have claimed that the festival of Chhath is one of the most eco-friendly religious festivals that should be used to spread the "the message of nature conservation".
It is a Hindu festival that transcend the rigid caste system, to touch upon the ideas of "equality, fraternity, unity and integrity."