Arunachal is mini India, say residents as Capital Complex celebrates Chhath Puja with grandeur

The vibrant festival of Chhath Puja was celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm across Arunachal Pradesh’s Capital Complex, with thousands of non-local residents gathering at various ghats in Itanagar, Naharlagun, and Borum to offer prayers to the Sun God. 

The celebrations reflected the unity and cultural diversity that define the state, earning it the description of a “Mini India” by local denizens.

At the Helipad Ghat in Naharlagun, devotees worshipped the setting sun in a grand ceremony organised by the Chhath Puja Committee. Speaking on the occasion, Committee Chairman Techi Tolu Tara said that the local tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh have always upheld communal harmony and mutual respect for all religions. “We celebrate every festival—whether local or from the mainland—with equal enthusiasm and without any bias,” he said.

Highlighting the cultural connection between indigenous beliefs and Chhath Puja, locals pointed out that while the indigenous tribes worship the Sun as Mother Donyi, people from mainland India worship the Sun as Father Surya, symbolising spiritual unity despite cultural differences.

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Navin Kumar Tiwari, Vice President of the organising committee, expressed gratitude to the local tribal community for their support and cooperation. “We ensure cleanliness before and after the Puja, taking care of the environment and preventing river pollution,” he told India TodayNE.

Rahul Rai, another committee member, said that as part of the Puja’s charitable efforts, food and groceries were donated to orphanages in the region. Scholar Ramanuj Mishra explained the mythology and rituals of Chhath Puja, emphasising its deep spiritual meaning. He also thanked the tribal community for their support and pledged that people from other states would similarly participate in the indigenous tribal festivals of Arunachal Pradesh.

The celebrations, marked by devotion and mutual respect, beautifully reflected Arunachal’s inclusive spirit and the peaceful coexistence of diverse faiths and traditions.