Varanasi, Oct. 27 -- Celebrations of Chhath Puja are in full swing across Varanasi, with women meticulously preparing Thekua prasad and devotees gathering at river ghats to offer evening 'arghya' to the setting Sun on the third day of the festivities.

Women prepare Thekua prasad at a ghat in Varanasi ahead of the evening arghya on the third day of Chhath Puja.

The four-day Chhath Mahaparv, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, began on Saturday with the sacred ritual of Nahay-Khay, followed by Kharna on Sunday. The third day marks the Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings).

On Kharna, devotees observe a fast from morning to evening and partake of Rasiya kheer and roti at night. The third day involves a rigorous 36-hour fast, concluding ...