No canal water no worry, devotees make own makeshift ghats for Chhath Puja

Ludhiana: As doubts linger over the release of water into Sidhwan Canal for the upcoming Chhath Puja, devotees in Ludhiana’s neighborhoods like Giaspura, Dhandhari, and Jassian are adapting by creating temporary ghats in vacant plots, parks, and even on their rooftops.

These improvised spaces not only offer a convenient alternative to crowded water bodies but also address concerns over transportation and safety amid heavy traffic and congested canal ghats. Community members are now urging authorities to provide more accessible, alternative sites for future worship, emphasising that the festival holds cultural significance for many in the area.

In preparation for the ritual offerings to the Sun deity, residents have dug makeshift pools in open spaces and on rooftops, lining them with tarpaulins to hold water. Local leader Sandeep Shukla noted that some devotees are gathering in Giaspura’s park, which has been designated for the celebration on Thursday. He expressed frustration over the lack of official support for the event, calling on municipal authorities to clear garbage from vacant plots and convert them into designated worship sites, which would ease pressure on the city’s water bodies and provide safer options for devotees.

Devotee Raj Kishore shared that performing the ritual within the community is simpler for families and avoids the challenges posed by overcrowded canals and traffic, especially since the festival requires participants to remain up late into the evening and begin again at dawn. He and other residents are requesting that authorities establish temporary ghats in residential areas to support the high cost of celebrating Chhath Puja, which often ranges from ₹10,000 to 15,000.

Rajnish Kumar, another local devotee, pointed out that numerous vacant lands under municipal control could be developed as worship sites, reiterating the festival’s significance for migrants from Bihar, UP, and Jharkhand. He also referenced promises made by political leaders during previous campaigns, emphasizing the need for more consistent support for religious celebrations.

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