A large number of devotees in city observed Chhath Puja on Tuesday. Chhath Puja is a festival in which devotees worship the Sun god and his daughter Shashti. The three-day-festival is about people fasting and seeking blessings to have children and prosperity. "It is a festival that is never missed. It is part of our custom and tradition that has been going on for years together. We gather close to any water body and offer prayers to the Sun god," said Shanti Sharma, who went to a pond in Sion to offer her prayers along with her family members on Tuesday. A number of people went to the Juhu beach as it has more space. Due to vote bank politics, a number of political parties organised Chhath Puja events. The three-day festival started on Monday morning with people offering "argh" an offering of fruits to the rising and setting sun. "People get up early and offer this to the Sun god by being inside a water body. We fast without having water all day," said another devotee. Devotees believe that the Sun is the only living form of God that they see. "All forms of life thrive because of the Sun. It is said that even Lord Ram prayed to the Sun god before fighting Ravana. Many people stand in water all night, for they wish to have a child. In this city, we have to go by tide timings, but back in Bihar people stand all night with Argh on their hands. The Sun god's daughter Shashti, is also worshipped. This is one such ritual that can be performed without Brahmins, as it is simple. People fast and make offerings to the god," said devotee Manoj Singh Rajput. He added, "Most people try to fast during these three days. People do not have water and at the end of the day, they eat only that quantity of kheer and water that can be had in one helping. After that, they do not eat again and offer Argh on the next morning. After prayers, we prepare thekua and other traditional delicacies."

Stay updated with all the Mumbai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.