Gratitude and thankfulness: Here are some photos of Chhath festival

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Chhath festival is being observed in most parts of India. This year the festival is being celebrated from Friday to Monday (17 Nov to 20 Nov).

An ancient Hindu festival, Chhath is celebrated mostly in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

During Chhath puja, prayers are dedicated to the solar deity, Surya (Sun God). It is a way to show gratitude and thankfulness for bestowing the bounties of life on earth and to request that certain wishes be granted. The festival commences from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi and concludes with Kartik Shukla Saptami.

The Chhath festival is observed six days after the Diwali festival. Here are some pictures. Have a look:

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Indian Army personnel participate in a cleanliness drive at the bank of Ganga river before celebration of ‘Chhath Puja’ festival, in Varanasi. (PTI Photo)

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Preparations underway at the ITO ghat ahead of the ‘Chhath Puja’ festival, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

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A vendor sells puja items for the rituals of ‘Chhath Puja’ festival, in Ranchi. (PTI Photo)

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Passengers hang from the doors of an overcrowded train as they travel home for the ‘Chhath Puja’ festival, at a railway station in Patna. (PTI Photo)

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People shop for the Chhath Puja celebration, in Amritsar. (PTI Photo)

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A view of illuminated Ganga Ghat for the Chhath Puja celebration, in Patna. (PTI Photo)

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Passengers in large numbers wait to board a train to go to their hometown for the Chhath puja festival, in Ranchi. (PTI Photo)