Lalan Singh Greets Devotees on Chhath Puja Sandhya Arghya
Synopsis
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, known as Lalan Singh, extended greetings on Chhath Puja's third-day Sandhya Arghya, saluting Lord Bhaskar and seeking Chhathi Maiya's blessings for all devotees.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) posted Chhath Puja greetings on 15 November 2026 .
The message marks the third day of Chhath Vrat — the occasion of Sandhya Arghya , the evening offering to the Sun.
Singh invoked both Lord Bhaskar (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya in his message.
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival observed with particular fervour in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh .
As a senior JD(U) leader , Singh's public acknowledgement of the festival aligns with the party's deep cultural ties to Bihar.
As millions of devotees stood knee-deep in rivers and ponds across Bihar and beyond, Union Panchayati Raj and Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh — widely known as Lalan Singh — marked the third evening of Chhath Puja with a heartfelt public greeting on Sunday, 15 November 2026.
Posting on the occasion of Sandhya Arghya (the evening offering to the Sun), the minister wrote: 'On the sacred occasion of the evening offering on the third day of the great festival of Chhath Vrat — a festival of deep public faith — I offer respectful salutations to Lord Bhaskar. May Chhathi Maiya's blessings remain upon all.'
What Sandhya Arghya means in Chhath tradition
Chhath Puja is a four-day Hindu observance rooted most deeply in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It centres on the worship of the Sun God — referred to as Bhaskar — and the folk deity Chhathi Maiya. The third day's Sandhya Arghya, when devotees offer water and prayers to the setting sun, is widely regarded as the festival's most visually striking and emotionally charged ritual.
The vrat (fast) observed by millions involves gruelling abstinence and prolonged standing in water — a demonstration of devotion that cuts across social hierarchies and draws participants from all walks of life.
Bihar's festival, Bihar's politics
For leaders of the Janata Dal (United) — the party whose political base is anchored in Bihar — Chhath greetings are more than seasonal courtesy. They reflect a sincere cultural identification with a festival that many Bihari families observe as one of the year's most important occasions, regardless of where in India or the world they now live.
Lalan Singh, a senior JD(U) figure and a Union Cabinet minister, has consistently engaged publicly with the state's cultural calendar, and this greeting follows that well-established pattern of outreach to a community that holds Chhath among its most cherished traditions.
Point of View
Making public greetings from Bihar-based leaders both culturally authentic and politically resonant. For the JD(U), which draws its core support from Bihar, acknowledging Chhath is not performative outreach but a reflection of the party's social bedrock. Lalan Singh's message, invoking both the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, signals the continued centrality of folk-religious traditions in the political vocabulary of Bihar's ruling alliance. As the festival's diaspora footprint grows — from Delhi to Dubai — such ministerial greetings increasingly reach well beyond the state's borders.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sandhya Arghya in Chhath Puja?
Sandhya Arghya is the ritual offering of water and prayers to the setting sun on the third evening of Chhath Puja. It is considered the most sacred and visually dramatic moment of the four-day festival.
Why is Chhath Puja important in Bihar?
Chhath Puja is one of the most significant festivals in Bihar, involving the worship of the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya through strict fasting and standing in water. It is a central part of Bihari cultural and religious identity.
What are the four days of Chhath Puja?
The four days of Chhath Puja are Nahay Khay (ritual bath and meal), Kharna (evening fast and prasad), Sandhya Arghya (evening offering to the setting sun), and Usha Arghya (morning offering to the rising sun).
Why do Indian politicians post Chhath greetings?
Bihar-based political leaders, especially those from parties like JD(U), post Chhath greetings to acknowledge the festival's immense cultural importance among Bihari voters, both within Bihar and across the country.
