Patna, Nov 14 : Sale of devotional music cassettes, CDs and imported fruits are on the rise in the eastern part of India, mainly Bihar and neighbouring areas of Uttar Pradesh, ahead of the Chhat Puja.

Chhat Puja, is the most auspicious festival for the people Bihar and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

The music companies have cashed on heavily by churning out cassettes and CD's in large numbers because traditional music is the integral part of the festival.

"When the Chhat festival was celebrated earlier there used to be lesser sales as there were just 1-2 music companies, but now there are 30-40 music companies selling CD's and cassettes. Therefore more customers are demanding the latest cassettes, " said Mohammed Shamim, a music vendor in Patna.

People throng the music shops for the latest bhajans (Devotional songs).

Speaking on the eve of the festival, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, said: "Chhat festival is celebrated all over Bihar and people start preparing for this festival well in advance. "

People go to bathing ghats on riverbanks and pay obeisance to the rising and the setting sun during the festival, which is celebrated six days after Diwali, the festival of lights.

Offering of fruits and flowers is also made to please the Sun God. But this festival has not remained untouched by the rapid pace of commercialisation.

The festival is especially significant for married women who observe a two-day fast and offer prayers standing waist-deep in water and offer fruits and flowers to Surya, the Sun God. (ANI)