THIS IS PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE BANK OF THE RIVER YAMUNA, WHERE THE HINDI SPEAKING PEOPLE OF AGRA, OBSERVING AN INDIAN FESTIVAL CALLED “CHHATH FESTIVAL”. CHHATH IS AN ANCIENT HINDU FESTIVAL DEDICATED TO THE HINDU SUN GOD, “SURYA” ALSO KNOWN AS ‘SURYA SHASHTI”. THE CHHATH PUJA IS PERFORMED IN ORDER TO THANK “SURYA” FOR SUSTAINING LIFE ON EARTH AND TO REQUEST THE GRANTING OF CERTAIN FAMILY WISHES. THE SUN CONSIDERED THE GOD OF ENERGY AND OF LIFE FORCE, IS WORSHIPPED DURING CHHATH FESTIVAL TO PROMOTE WELL-BEING, PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS. THE RITUALS OF THE FESTIVAL ARE RIGOROUS AND ARE OBSERVED OVER A PERIOD OF THREE DAYS. THEY INCLUDE HOLY BATHING, FASTING, AND ABSTAINING FROM DRINKING WATER, STANDING IN WATER FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, AND OFFERING “PRASAD”AND “ARAGH” (PRAYER OFFERINGS WHICH INCLUDES, FLOWERS, COCONUTS, AND BANANAS, ALONG WITH SWEETS ETC.) TO“SUN GOD”