Prayagraj: On the auspicious occasion of Chhath, the banks of the Sangam and other ghats in Prayagraj were transformed into a sea of devotion on Monday. The third day of the grand festival of Chhath saw thousands of women observing a ‘nirjala upvaas’ (fast without water) and gathering at different ghats to offer ‘Arghya’ to the setting sun, praying for the well-being and prosperity of their families.From Monday afternoon, devotees started arriving at major ghats such as Sangam, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Balua Ghat, Kali Ghat, and Gau Ghat, where elaborate arrangements were made for the evening rituals. As the sun began to set, women clad in traditional sarees stood waist-deep in the sacred waters, offering prayers to Surya Dev (the Sun God) and ‘Chhathi Maiya’ with full devotion and traditional rituals. The chants, lamps, and devotional songs created a spiritual atmosphere across the riverbanks.In preparation for massive turnout, administration made extensive arrangements on Sunday. Electric connections, changing rooms, and mobile toilets were installed at major ghats to ensure convenience for devotees. Workers spent the day connecting power lines and placing sandbags to prevent slippery conditions near the water. Police and volunteers were deployed to manage the crowds and maintain order.Meanwhile, at the Sangam Nose, the Purvanchal Chhath Puja and Vikas Samiti organised a special ceremony to invoke the blessings of Sun. Meanwhile, markets across the city, including Alopibagh, Balua Ghat, and Dhoomanganj, witnessed heavy crowds on Sunday evening as devotees and their families shopped for ritual items. Large bamboo baskets were sold for Rs 400, smaller ones for Rs 350, and ‘soops’ (winnowing fans) for Rs 150. Likewise, prices of fruits also soared, with guavas from Jhansi selling at Rs 100 per kilogram, sugarcane at Rs 50 apiece, grapefruits at Rs 80, apples at Rs 120, pineapples at Rs 80 (per piece), and bananas between Rs 50 and Rs 60 per dozen.The festival will conclude on Oct 28, with devotees offering ‘Arghya’ to the rising sun (Usha Arghya) at the Sangam and other ghats across the city. Women observing the fast will assemble before dawn and offer prayers to the morning sun, marking the completion of their 36-hour-long fast. Ritual songs and offerings of fruits, sugarcane, and ‘thekua’ will be made to Sun and ‘Chhathi Maiya’. Following the ritual, devotees will break their fasts and distribute prasad among family and neighbours. The district administration has appealed to devotees to maintain cleanliness and safety at the ghats during the concluding ceremony.