Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini attends Chhath Mahotsav in Yamunanagar
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday, 15 November 2026, attended the state-level Chhath Mahotsav in Yamunanagar, performing puja at the ghat and extending greetings to residents — particularly those from the Purvanchal region — on the occasion of the sacred festival. He prayed that the blessings of Chhathi Maiya bring happiness, prosperity and well-being to all.
CM's Address at the Ghat
Speaking at the event, Saini described the gathering on the banks of the Yamuna as a remarkable confluence of nature and culture. 'This wonderful confluence of nature and culture connects us more strongly with our roots,' he said, acknowledging the deep cultural imprint that migrants from Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh have made on Haryana's social fabric.
He also invoked the festival's historical links to the state, noting a popular belief that Chhath Puja traces its origins to the Mahabharata era, when Karna — son of the Sun God — began worshipping Surya at Dharmakshetra Kurukshetra in present-day Haryana.
Infrastructure Development for Chhath Puja
The Chief Minister outlined a series of steps the state government has taken to facilitate the celebration of Chhath Puja across Haryana. A dedicated bathing ghat has been built in Karnal at a cost of ₹4.48 crore. A separate ghat has also been developed on the opposite bank of a canal under the Smart City Project.
Additionally, dedicated ghats for Chhath Puja have been constructed in Panchkula, Panipat and Sonipat, signalling the government's intent to institutionalise the festival's celebration across urban centres in the state.
Purvanchal Workers and Economic Contribution
Saini underscored the economic contributions of workers from Purvanchal, calling their role in strengthening the national economy 'significant'. He reiterated that protecting the welfare, dignity and social security of such workers remains a priority for his government.
He noted that over the last 12 years, the Haryana government has spent ₹3,931 crore on the welfare of construction workers. The Haryana Labour Welfare Board has separately disbursed more than ₹1,000 crore on various worker welfare schemes during the same period.
National Recognition of Chhath
Saini also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has previously described Chhath as a national festival — a designation that reflects the celebration's growing cross-regional resonance. This comes amid broader political efforts by ruling parties across states to visibly engage with the Purvanchal community, which constitutes a significant vote bloc in several north Indian states.
The state-level Chhath Mahotsav in Yamunanagar is expected to be followed by further community events at the newly developed ghats across the state through the week.