Here comes the Chhath festival - Kathmandu

The Chhath festival an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Hindu Sun God came to an end on the fourth day of celebrations early this morning with the fast-observers and others offering argha to the rising Sun. After the offering to the Sun god, the fast-observers take the Prasad and thereby break their fast known locally as ‘Paran’.
It is widely believed that worshipping Sun god helps cure skin-related diseases and also bring you the happiness of children and wealth.
Chhath parva is celebrated by natives of Mithila region of Nepal and India. This festival is dedicated to god Sun. Sun is called Surya in Sanscrit, Chhat parba is thanks giving to lord Surya for sustaining life on earth and to worship him to provide his continuous blessings to mankind. The Chhath festival which is dedicated to the worship of the Sun god until few years back used to be a festival specially celebrated in the Tarai. But this festival is fast catching up in Kathmandu. A large number of people with most of them in their new costume for the festival had gathered at the beautifully decorated lakes and ponds in Kathmandu since crack of the dawn today.

The Sun, source power of nature, considered the god of energy and lord of the life-force, is worshiped in Chhath to promote well-being, prosperity and progress. Hindu people believe sun helps to cure many illness and diseases. Sun is considered as source of healing too. Sun is also considered as token of stability and prosperity. Therefore, people worship sun to ensure the longevity and prosperity of family members, friends and beloved ones.
Chhat festival is celebrated for four days. The ritual of Chhat Parba includes taking holy bath, fasting, standing and worshiping sun for a long time and offering Prasad and Argha to ‘Rising and setting Lord Surya”. Some worshipers observe fasting even without water for 36 hours continuously