SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 8: Wards of Dhanbad jail campus have been decked up in the wake of the Chhath festival for prisoners that has begun with the first ritual of ‘Nahay-Khay’ from today.
Dhanbad jail superintendent Ajay Kumar said that six prisoner devotees (three males and three females) have sought permission for performing Chhath Puja. Since the Nahay- Khay ritual of the festival began today, all arrangements have been made by the jail administration for their prayer.
“Two permanent cemented ponds (10/10 size) for devotees inside the premises have been cleaned and freshwater has been filled so that ‘Vrati’ (devotees) can bathe in order to offer ‘arghya’ to the setting and rising Sun,” Ajay Kumar said.
“Since inmates of Dhanbad jail have been celebrating Chhath festival every year for a long time, jail premises have been decked up so that devotee prisoners can feel the festive atmosphere and pay obeisance to setting and rising Sun on Wednesday and Thursday,” he added.
Last year, 10 prisoners including four females performed Chhath Puja inside the jail.
“As Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun god for health and happiness in life, the jail administration provides all possible help to interested prisoners in performing puja material that is required by them in performing worship including new saree and dhoti besides nine types of fruits, milk, coconut, green vegetables, rice, flour, ghee, sugar, jaggery, ‘soop’, and other baskets required for keeping ‘prasad’ for offering,” the superintendent added.
For maintaining sanctity, devotees have been provided a separate cabin for this festival. Some inmates will also be associated with helping in making ‘prasad’ and performing rituals right from the day of ‘Kharna’.
In the wake of Chhath prayers, these devotees have requested the jail administration to stop giving them non-vegetarian items from today (day of Nahay- Khay), which is provided once a week.
