Thousands celebrate 'Chhath' festival at Godavari in Nashik

Thousands of devotees, specially hailing from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand thronged the banks of river Godavari here and celebrated the 'Chhath' festival with religious fervour.

The people, particularly women, from various parts of the city gathered at the Godavari banks last evening and early this morning and offered 'arghya' (releasing holy water by standing in river) to the sun God.

They also performed 'aarti' of the river last evening.

Various programmes were also held to mark the festival.
(REOPENS NRG 11)

Flowers selected for the festival include primula, lilium, fuschia, sweet william, cyclamen and reuniclus.

The newly-created 'nakshatra vatika' is adding to the colours of spring at the Raj Bhawan, an official said.
 

The beauty of the lawns at Raj Bhawan will inspire public to come closer to nature and also be more aware of the importance of environment conservation, the official added.