Delhi to Celebrate Grand Chhath Puja on Both Banks of the Yamuna: CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, 29 September 2025– Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that this year’s Chhath Puja will be celebrated on both banks of the Yamuna River. The government will make special arrangements so that devotees can perform rituals comfortably and without any inconvenience.

The Chief Minister said that the festival of Chhath is about faith, nature and emotions, and her government’s priority is to ensure that it is celebrated in a safe, clean and well-organised manner. She also assured that wherever Chhath Puja is held in the capital whether on the Yamuna banks, canals, or ponds the government will take full responsibility for arrangements.

In preparation for Chhath, the Chief Minister convened a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat today. Cabinet Ministers Mr Ashish Sood and Mr Kapil Mishra, Chief Secretary Mr Dharmendra, and senior officials from relevant departments attended.

The Chief Minister clarified that immersion in the Yamuna is prohibited under existing rules, and immersion does not form part of Chhath rituals. Highlighting the growing population of Purvanchal residents in Delhi, she said that Chhath Puja will be organised along both banks of the Yamuna from Palla in the north to Okhla in the south with full facilities for devotees wherever suitable riverbanks are available.

Palla to Okhla: Ghats to Get a Major Upgrade

CM Rekha Gupta directed officials to prepare every stretch of the Yamuna from Palla in the north to Okhla in the south for Chhath celebrations. Traditional sites like ITO and Okhla ghats will also be upgraded.

Officials have been instructed to maintain complete cleanliness at all sites, to sprinkle water to avoid dust-related inconvenience, and for police and traffic police to maintain robust safety and traffic arrangements. Where required, medical facilities will also be provided at the puja sites. The Irrigation Department has been directed to remove water hyacinth from the Yamuna before the festival. This year, special lighting arrangements will also be made so that devotees face no difficulty.

929 Sites Across Delhi to Get Full Support

The Chief Minister further informed that in addition to the Yamuna banks, Chhath Puja is also organised at the Munak Canal, Mungeshpur Drain, and at several artificial ponds in Delhi. In total, the capital hosts rituals at 929 sites, and the government will make complete arrangements at each of them. Institutions requiring a No Objection Certificate (NOC) will be provided one without delay.

She added that in the coming days she would personally inspect the Yamuna and other sites to ensure there are no shortcomings in preparations. Some special locations will also be identified for major celebrations of Chhath. If additional water is required in the Yamuna, the Delhi government will make a request to the Haryana government.

Emphasising the importance of this festival, she said,“Chhath is a significant expression of the faith and culture of Purvanchal residents. My government is fully prepared to ensure that it is celebrated with devotion and grandeur. The festival reminds us of our duty towards nature and cleanliness. We will ensure that this year’s Chhath Puja is celebrated in a safe, clean, and magnificent manner, with all facilities provided to devotees.”