Devotees in Nepal celebrate Chhath, seeking relief from disasters

Oct 28, 2025

Parsa (Nepal), Oct 28 (ANI): After facing successive disasters--a drought followed by flooding and inundation within three months this year--devotees in the southern plains of Nepal have been praying for an end to calamities as they observe 'Chhath', the festival of benediction of the Sun. Arsiya Devi began preparations for Chhath Puja at her mud-thatched home in the southern plains of Nepal, arranging all the essentials to offer to the setting Sun and Chhathi Maiya. Apart from praying for her family's well-being and prosperity, this year her prayers are focused on seeking relief from the disasters that have struck the region in recent months. In July, the Madhesh region of Nepal suffered a severe drought during the monsoon season, followed by heavy flooding and inundation within the next two months, crippling livelihoods and agricultural activity. Madhesh Province -- considered the breadbasket of Nepal -- still relies heavily on rainfall for cultivation. According to the Nepal Rastra Bank's 2024 report on the Economic Status of Madhesh Province, the province's economic growth is driven primarily by agriculture. However, the unusually dry monsoon this year has raised serious concerns for farmers. Traditionally celebrated in Nepal’s southern plains, especially the Mithilanchal region—the ancestral home of Goddess Sita—Chhath has in recent decades spread to the country’s hilly areas. The trend began after Nepal’s 1990 democratic restoration.