Tura, Oct 30: Hindu faithful celebrated Chhath puja in Tura on Sunday with the devotees thronging the Bapupara stream to offer their prayers.

Men and women carried offerings to Sun God and sang religious songs to mark the auspicious occasion. The Bihari community of Garo Hills actively took part in the celebrations with a large number of womenfolk in colourful attire offering puja on the banks of the stream while the men carried the offerings to the venue.

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu Vedic festival dedicated to the sun for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to seek the granting of certain wishes.

The rituals of the festival are rigorous and observed over four days particularly by the women devotees called Parvaitin, who pray for the wellbeing of their families and the prosperity of their offsprings. These include holy bathing, fasting, and abstaining from drinking water.