New Delhi, October 24 (IANS). Preparations are underway across India to celebrate the grand four-day festival of Chhath Puja, dedicated to the Sun God, with great pomp. Around 150 million devotees are participating in the traditional rituals associated with the festival, which begins on October 25.
According to the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Chhath Puja is expected to generate business worth around Rs 38,000 crore in the country this year. Last year, this figure for Chhath Puja was Rs 31,000 crore, which shows an increase of Rs 7000 crore. Whereas earlier in 2023, this figure was Rs 27,000 crore, which shows the increase over time in business related to Chhath.
CAT has said that sales in Delhi alone are expected to cross the figure of Rs 6,000 crore this year.
This festival of Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated by the people living in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Madhya Pradesh. Apart from this, lakhs of Purvanchali people living in different states of the country also celebrate this festival.
CAT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the main items related to the festival of Chhath Puja include soup, daura, bamboo baskets, earthen lamps, fruits like sugarcane, banana, coconut, apple, lemon, wheat and rice flour, traditional sweets like thekua, dates, puja items, sarees, traditional clothes, decorative items, milk, ghee, utensils, tents and Hospitality services included.
He further said that traditional clothes like sarees, lehenga-chunri, salwar-kurta and kurta-pajama for women, dhoti for men are being purchased in increasing quantities, due to which local traders and small industries are benefiting. Apart from this, a surge is also being seen in the sale of hand-made indigenous items.
Khandelwal said, “Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival, but it is an important part of Indian culture. This festival is a symbol of social harmony and dedication. It also promotes trade and directly benefits local producers, thereby strengthening PM Modi’s ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.”
–IANS
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