Delhi Minister for Art, Culture and Language and Tourism Kapil Mishra on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat. The purpose of the meeting is to review and finalise preparations for Chhath Puja 2025. This year, Chhath Puja will be celebrated at over 1,000 locations across the city.
“This year’s Chhath Puja will be historic. For the first time in many years, special celebrations will return to the Yamuna Ghats, bringing back the traditional atmosphere devotees have been waiting for,” Mishra said after the meeting.
Senior officials from the MCD, DDA, Delhi Jal Board, Environment Department, and the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department attended the meeting, along with MLAs, district magistrates, and members of various organising committees. The meeting focused on interdepartmental coordination and reviewed the progress of work at major ghats.
Four major venues – Dwarka, Hathi Ghat, Pitampura, and Sonia Vihar – will host grand celebrations, while all Chhath Ghats across Delhi will feature cultural programmes that reflect the folk traditions of the Purvanchal region.
The Department of Art, Culture and Language has invited folk artists to perform at more than 200 locations, with live songs, dances, and traditional performances to create a festive and devotional environment. Each ghat will be decorated with illuminated arches, statues of Chhathi Maiyya and Surya Bhagwan, and colourful lighting. Model Ghats will also be set up to showcase best practices in design, decoration, and facilities.
To streamline the process, the government has created a single-window clearance system for all permissions and No Objection Certificates (NOCs) related to Chhath Ghat preparations, a system similar to that used for Kanwar Yatra, Durga Puja, Ganesh Utsav, and Ramlila events.
Each MCD zone will have nodal officers to coordinate arrangements. The MCD has been directed to ensure round-the-clock cleanliness at all Ghats, especially after the Sandhya Arghya (evening offering). The minister also instructed departments to provide adequate mobile toilets, ambulances, and drinking water at every major site.
Security and fire safety arrangements are being given top priority. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department will handle barricading and security at Ghats, while the Fire Department, NDMC, and MCD will ensure compliance with safety standards.
Mishra also directed officials to make arrangements for light refreshments and drinking water for devotees after the morning Arghya (sunrise offering).
Adding a new cultural element, the minister announced plans for live performances on decorated boats in the Yamuna, giving devotees a “unique and spiritual experience” during the festival. “Chhath Puja reflects faith, discipline, and devotion. Delhi will celebrate it with full respect and proper facilities for every devotee,” Mishra said.
