Women Offer prayer to the setting sun during the chhath puja on 13th November, 2018. Sarita Khadka/Alamy Live News

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Chhath is an ancient Hindu festival and only Vedic Festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya and Chhathi Maiya (ancient Vedic Goddess Usha). The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank Surya for sustaining life on earth and to request the granting of certain wishes. The rituals of the festival are rigorous and are observed over a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and arghya to the setting and rising sun.

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Size: 5184px × 3456px
Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Photo credit: © Sarita Khadka / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
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