Celebrating its diversity of cultures, KIIT Student Activity Centre organized a 3-day long ceremony on the occasion of Chhath Puja from 29th Oct, 2022 to 31st Oct, 2022. Chhath Puja is a very significant festival of Bihar. People worship the sun god and fast for a course of 3 days. This 3-day course comprises of kharna, Sandhya argh and Pratah argh poojas done each day respectively.
Ketan Chauhan, a student of KIIT organised the event on a grand level and did the ritual proceedings as well. On the first day, Kharna puja was done at the KSAC premises. It was a small ceremony after which puri, sabzi and kheer prasad was distributed. Kharna marked the beginning of the 3-day fast along with surrendering footwear during this course.
On a beautiful windy yet sunny day, the pooja of Sandhya Argh was organized on a grand level at campus 6. It was a beautiful set up, the flower and colour rangolis adding to the brightness and merriment of the event, with musicians singing the songs dedicated to the pooja. The Founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta; Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sasmita Samanta; Registrar Dr. Jnyana Ranjan Mohanty; and Dy. Director Student Services Prof. Dr. Shyam Sundar Behura embellished the auspicious ceremony by their presence. The venue was filled by students and in a fraction of minutes, and in no time the place was sparkling with devotees. The evening’s wind rustling, with the ceremony at the sunset and melodies in the air was a perfect frame, the setting sun was given argh.
For the last day, commencement of Pratah Argh pooja started at 4 A.M., way before dawn. The rising sun slowly filled up brightness in the morning sky. The ceremony followed the same course as the day before, and the rising sun was given argh. With this the fasting along with the festival of Chhath came to an end.
The entire aura during the 3-days was mesmerizing. KIIT was able to capture the essence of the festival and create a home-like, once in a lifetime experience for everyone. It was a commendable representation of people’s faith, how they celebrate and worship the God of Sun for their families’ well-being and prosperity with immense dedication every year during this beautiful festival.