PATNA: Thousands of men and women in Bihar gathered to pay homage to the setting sun on Sunday as part of Chhath, the state's widely celebrated festival that has gained recognition far beyond its borders.
Devotees of Chhath, who undergo a challenging 36-hour fast, immersed themselves in waist-deep water, with some opting for deep vessels on rooftops and others traversing long distances to reach riverbanks, lakes, or ponds.
Many men carried wicker baskets filled with items used in the ritual worship on their heads, while some more daring individuals covered the distance by prostrating on their bare chests (dandvat).
