Chandigarh, Nov. 13 -- While the City Beautiful's Sector 42 New Lake has traditionally served as the principal hub for Chhath Puja celebrations, drawing thousands of devotees from across the region-the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation (MC) has significantly decentralised festivities this year by expanding official arrangements to 26 locations across the Tricity.

The four-day festivities honour Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya as devotees pray for family prosperity and longevity. Uniquely dedicated to both the setting and rising Sun, the observance centers on a strict 36-hour waterless fast, culminating in sacred Arghya offerings at dusk on day three and dawn on day four.

Driven by surging footfall and requests from the Purvanchal community, ...