Delhi Declares Public Holiday for Chhath Puja Celebration

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has announced a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja, acknowledging its significance for the Purvanchal community. This move follows a request from Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, as the Indian Railways also preps for increased travel, running special trains to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has announced a public holiday on November 7 for Chhath Puja, recognizing it as a crucial festival for Delhi's Purvanchal community. This decision aims to allow residents to celebrate with fervor and follows a proposal from Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena.

In response to Saxena's suggestion, Atishi confirmed the holiday with a formal communication to Delhi's Chief Secretary, emphasizing the cultural importance of Chhath Puja for Delhi's populace. The festival is celebrated over four days, with significant rituals performed on the third day, aligning with the 7th of November this year.

To accommodate the traditional travel surge during Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has ramped up operations, according to Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity. Over 160 trains departed yesterday, with plans for over 170 today, particularly targeting routes to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to manage the increased passenger volume. Safety and assistance measures have also been boosted at major stations nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)