<span style="color: #222222;">The four-day long Chhath Puja concluded this morning with devotees paying oblation to the rising Sun in different parts of the country. The festival which began on Monday concluded with devotees offering Pratah Arghya to the rising Sun and ending their 36-hour long fast by taking prasad. This is called Paran (????). As per the tradition, devotees worship the Sun God and his wife Usha to express gratitude and seek their blessings on Chhath.<br />''<br />''AIR correspondent reports, Amid religious fervour and gaiety devotees paid oblation to the rising sun. They have started gathering at ghats of various rivers including the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak, and Sone rivers in the wee hours. Lakhs of devotees paid offering to the Sun God on the banks of ponds and water reservoirs in mithlanchal areas which include Darbhanga, Madhubani, and Sitamarhi districts of the state.  <br />''<br />''A large number of devotees made special offerings to the Sun God at various sun temples including the Deo in Aurangabad, Bargao in Nalanda, and Ular Sun temple in Patna district. People across all sections of society participate in this puja celebration. This festival is connected with purity, devotion to the Sun God, who is considered as the source of life on this earth and is regarded as the deity who fulfills all wishes.<br />''<br />''President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have greeted people on the occasion.<br />''<br />''In his message, the President said, Chhath Puja is one of the oldest festivals to be celebrated in the country. He said this festival is a unique expression of relations we share with Sun God and nature. He expressed hope that this festival will strengthen our eternal relationship with nature that help us to protect our environment.<br />''<br />''In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi said, May Chhathi Maiya bless everyone with good health and happiness. </span><br />