PURNEA, Nov. 15 -- This year, Chhath Puja in Bihar's Seemanchal region has become a powerful symbol of communal harmony, with the Muslim community uniting with Hindus to celebrate the festival. Across the four districts - Purnea, Katihar, Araria, and Kishanganj -the four-day festival is seeing participation from the Muslim community, who are actively contributing to everything from the construction of ghats to the supply of festive essentials. Beyond traditional rituals, devotees are also highlighting the region's emergence as a top producer of makhana by offering makhana-based thekua to the Sun God. The festival that starts on Friday with Nahay-Khay ritual will end on Monday with offering prayers to the rising sun. Purnea district administration has made elaborate arrangements in the whole district to make the festival memorable. "The number of designated Chhath Ghats in the Purnea Municipal area has increased from 45 to 65 this year facilitating the devotees to offer hassle free prayers," officials said, adding, "All ghats feature complete arrangements for cleanliness, proper lighting, barricading, changing rooms, watch towers and motorable access to ghats." They said, "Such arrangements are no longer confined within the Municipal Corporation area, the same has been made in rural and remote areas." Purnea district magistrate (DM) Anshul Kumar who has been monitoring the arrangements himself has conducted inspections of ghats in the whole district. "We are going to make it a festival of difference," the DM said, expressing happiness over the people's participation in making the festival a grand success. "The people living far off places and even abroad don't miss the festival and hence district administration gets a chance to receive their feedback about the developing Purnea," DM said, adding "As the festival brings officials and people together, it further strengthens communication channels giving an opportunity for the officials to receive their feedback." Certain major intersections such as Purnea Airport, Railway Junctions, and Bus Stops have been decorated with decorative LED light pillars featuring peacock motifs, traditional banners and festive arches besides Chhath folk songs and public service advisories are being broadcast across city squares to maintain a devotional atmosphere and guide devotees. "Our objective is clear, we want devotees to cherish memories for a long time and plan to visit Purnea once again," the DM said, hoping "Such arrangements help the district to emerge as tourists' destination." Seemanchal comprising four districts-Purnea, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj, has over 40 percent Muslim population and their enthusiastic participation in Chhath festival tells the message of fraternity and humanity. "People outside Bihar and even abroad have negative image about the Seemanchal region and the strong participation of Muslims during Chhath puja can break the jinx," a Chhath devotee a senior lawyer S N Thaskur, a native of Bhurhi village said and added, "We have bought earthen chulhas and fruit from our Muslim brethren who sell with utmost devotion. "We don't eat non vegetarian food for four days," Sahil Ansari, a fruit seller at Khuskibagh market in Purnea town area told HT. He added, "Muslims not only make earthen chulhas and sell fruit for the devotees but they also prepare ghats and many of us offer prayers with our Hindu brethren." Though Thekua made of wheat flour, jiggery and ghee has been traditional offerings in Chhath puja, this time makhana thekua and makhana jalebis can also be seen as special offerings....