Asia & the Pacific



A four-day festival in India honouring Surya, the Sun God, has concluded.

An Indian woman performs rituals at sunset in the Yamuna River during the Chhath Puja festival in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth.

An Indian woman performs rituals at sunset in the Yamuna River during the Chhath Puja festival in New Delhi, India. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth. Image by AP Photo /Tsering Topgyal

Each November, for four days, many celebrate the Chhath Festival by performing a series of rites which end in a gathering on the third day with water rituals, music and mingling.

Indian Hindu devotees perform rituals at sunset on the banks of the Yamuna River during the Chhath Puja festival in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth.

Indian Hindu devotees perform rituals at sunset on the banks of the Yamuna River during the Chhath Puja festival in New Delhi, India.. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth. Image by AP Photo /Tsering Topgyal

Observance of the festival often includes holy bathing, fasting, standing in water and prayer offerings.

Hindu devotees perform religious rituals in the River Ganges to mark Chhath Puja festival in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth.

Hindu devotees perform religious rituals in the River Ganges to mark Chhath Puja festival in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, 18 November. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth.

At sunset on the sixth day following Diwali, married women who have fasted for 36 hours then immerse themselves in water and make offerings of fruits and flower to Surya.

Hindu devotees offer prayers standing in the waters of the River Ganges to mark Chhath Puja festival in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth.

Hindu devotees offer prayers standing in the waters of the River Ganges to mark Chhath Puja festival in Allahabad, India, Wednesday, 18 November. During Chhath, an ancient Hindu festival, rituals are performed to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth. Image by AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh