Delhi had a colourful and devotional show as Chhath Puja 2025 came to an end on Monday evening with the culmination of the four-day Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya festival. The celebration this year was not only distinguishable due to the huge presence of devotees but also for being eco-friendly in its management, which turned the Yamuna ghats into stunningly illuminated and environmentally friendly spaces of belief and revelry.
Over 1,500 ghats across the national capital — including the iconic ITO, Kalindi Kunj, Sonia Vihar, Wazirabad, and Mayur Vihar stretches — were decorated with solar-powered lights, colorful drapings, and bamboo structures. For the first time in several years, Delhi’s administration, in collaboration with local NGOs, sanitation workers, and volunteers, executed a comprehensive clean-up and beautification drive before and after the rituals.
The Delhi administration posted thousands of officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Jal Board, and Environment Department to facilitate a hitch-free celebration of the festival. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had previously stated that special teams were keeping a check on sanitation and water conditions along the Yamuna, as devotees offered Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings) and Usha Arghya (morning offerings) to the sun as it was setting and rising respectively.
“This year, our focus was on ensuring a clean, safe, and green celebration. We’ve installed solar lights, created dedicated waste zones, and deployed lifeguards at every major ghat,” said a senior Delhi government official.
Eco-Friendly Celebration Amid Pollution Concerns
Chhath Puja 2025 came when the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was hovering in the “very poor” zone. However, in a welcome change, organizers took a sustainability route — refusing plastic ornaments, relying on biodegradable offerings, and providing clean water tanks where the quality of Yamuna was inappropriate for ceremonies.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had earlier urged authorities to prevent the dumping of puja materials into the Yamuna, and enforcement teams were stationed at major ghats to guide devotees on responsible disposal. “We worship the Sun and nature; keeping the river clean is also a part of our devotion,” said Sunita Devi, a devotee from East Delhi who has been performing Chhath rituals for the past decade.
Moreover, Delhi Traffic Police also made special traffic arrangements near prominent ghats to control the crowd and maintain safety. A few of the metro stations close to ghat areas, including Indraprastha and Akshardham, had extended working hours to cope with the festive rush.
Unity and Tradition in the Heart of the Capital
In spite of the smog and cold October wind, the riverbanks of Delhi resonated with hymns of devotion, traditional songs, and beats of classical drums. Fruits, sugarcane, thekua, and bamboo baskets, all representing purity and simplicity, were brought by families as they offered prayers to the Sun God for life, vitality, and wealth.
Chhath Puja, generally observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, has now emerged as a pan-Delhi tradition, showcasing the city’s multicultural texture. The size of participation this year was on par with pre-pandemic times, showing the festival’s continued emotional and cultural appeal among migrant communities.
“Chhath is not a festival; it’s our link with roots. Witnessing such huge arrangements in Delhi makes us feel at home,” said Ravi Kumar, a resident of Uttam Nagar who had visited the Kalindi Kunj ghat along with his family.
Officials Praise Devotees and Volunteers
Post-festival cleaning drives started right after the last offerings on Tuesday morning. More than 4,000 sanitation staff, along with volunteers, picked up puja trash and took it to composting facilities. Officials were pleased with how citizens assisted in keeping the area clean.
The Delhi government has also said that information from the eco-friendly drives this year will be used to create a “Green Chhath” model for 2026, where the festival will be both devotional and sustainable.
As the Sun rose over the Yamuna, illuminating the faces of thousands of devotees with a golden glow, Delhi’s Chhath Puja 2025 emerged as a beautiful blend of tradition, community spirit, and environmental consciousness — proving once again that faith and sustainability can go hand in hand.
