Patna (PTI): The four-day 'Chhath', the most popular festival in Bihar, ended at the crack of dawn on Wednesday with devotees across the state offering "Arghya" (obeisance) to the rising Sun God.

Lakhs of fasting devotees and their family members began congregating at various ghats on the bank of the Ganga river here hours before the sunrise.

The 'vratis' (those observing fast) took holy dip in the river Ganga and offered obeisance to the rising sun before breaking their 36-hour fast.

Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Rabri Devi also observed fast and performed other rituals of 'Chhath' in a concrete pond constructed at her 10, Circular Road residence.

As she paid obeisance standing in the pond in knee-deep water purged with the holy Ganga water, her husband and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, sons Tej Pratap and Tejaswai, daughters and sons-in-law lent their helping hands passing over baskets of 'prasads' that was offered to the Sun.

On Tuesday, tens of thousands of devotees had offered obeisance to the setting Sun, revering the most powerful source of energy, at various river banks, reservoirs and ponds.

Despite the festival getting embroiled in controversy in Maharashtra, a peaceful 'Chhath' was celebrated here with piety and devotion.