Kathmandu, November 15, 2026 — President Ramchandra Paudel has expressed confidence that the Chhath festival can strengthen national unity by helping eliminate class, caste and gender-based discrimination, along with other social evils and distortions.
In a message issued on Sunday on the occasion of Chhath 2083, President Paudel said the festival encourages the preservation and promotion of traditional culture while strengthening mutual harmony among communities.
He noted that Chhath is observed with prayers for longevity, cleanliness, simple and pure food, self-restraint, harmony and prosperity. Worship of the Sun God during the festival also conveys a message of maintaining social and natural balance, he said.
The president referred to the traditional belief that observing the Chhath fast according to religious rituals brings desired blessings, promotes family well-being and helps remove suffering and hardship.
In his message, Paudel highlighted the importance of the Sun in sustaining life on Earth. He said the practice of worshipping the setting Sun one evening and the rising Sun the following morning, offering milk as an offering at places with flowing water from Kartik Shukla Chaturthi through Saptami, reflects respect for nature.
According to the president, the rituals also help promote environmental awareness and strengthen family and social solidarity.
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Paudel said devotees traditionally worship the Sun, water and Earth, while performing rituals and fasting in honour of Chhathi Mata. Many spend the night along riverbanks, streams, ponds and lakes as part of the celebrations.
He also welcomed the growing popularity of Chhath beyond the Tarai and Madhesh regions, noting that the festival is increasingly being observed with devotion in Kathmandu Valley and other hill and mountain districts.
The president concluded by expressing hope that the blessings of Chhathi Mata and the Sun God would support efforts to end social discrimination and irregularities and achieve lasting peace, good governance, development and prosperity.