India, Oct. 28 -- Devotees Monday evening thronged various Chhath ghats "across the Garo Hills region to offer prayers to the Sun as part of the Chhath festival. The celebrations will conclude Tuesday morning, with devotees worshipping the rising sun."

Devotees of Chhathi Maiyya, gathered at designated Chhath ghats to offer prayers and take ritual dips in the cold morning waters. The festival is unique in that devotees worship the setting sun on the evening before, and the rising sun the following morning, reports Shillong Times.

Celebrated every year six days after Diwali, usually between October and November, "the festival honours the Sun God (Surya). The ancient Hindu Vedic tradition is dedicated to thanking the Sun for sustaining li...