Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the importance of Chhath festival, saying it is the only festival when people worship the setting sun.
"Chhath is a very big festival in eastern India and it is celebrated with great fervour and it goes on for four days, " he said.
"There is a saying across the world that people worship the shining sun, but Chhath is the only festival in which people offer 'arghya' (offering water) to the setting sun, which gives a great social message, " he said in his 25th Mann Ki Baat.
The Chhath Puja is performed in order to thank lord Sun, who is considered the god of energy.
Sun is worshiped to promote well - being, prosperity and progress.