Devotees offer prayers to the 'Sun God' during the Chhath festival

Chhath festival, also known as Surya Puja, is observed in parts of India and Nepal in order to thank Sun for sustaining life on earth.

Thousands of devotees gathered at Marina beach in Chennai to pay obeisance to the Sun God. (Ashwin Prasath | EPS) 

On the occasssion of Chhath Puja, devotees undergo fast and offer water and milk to the Sun God at dawn and dusk. (R Satish Babu | EPS)

Devotees offer prayers on at the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad. (R Satish Babu | EPS)

A devotee praying for the longevity and health of her spouse at Marina beach in Chennai. (Ashwin Prasath | EPS)

Devotees offer prayers on the occasion of Chhath Puja at Puzhal in Chennai. (Debadatta Mallick| EPS)

Devotees offer prayers at Puzhal. (Debadatta Mallick | EPS)

Chhath Puja celebrations at the bank of Yamuna river in New Delhi. (Naveen Kumar | EPS)

A Hindu devotee offers prayers during the Chhath festival on the banks of highly polluted river Yamuna in New Delhi. (Naveen Kumar | EPS)