Patna: Bihar gears up for the grand celebration of Chhath Puja, one of the region’s most significant festivals of folk faith. Starting on Kartik Shukla Chaturthi (October 25), the four-day festival is dedicated to Lord Surya (Bhaskar) and transcends social and religious boundaries, bringing together people from all walks of life.
Renowned for its focus on purity and devotion, Chhath has no caste or religious restrictions. Hindu and Muslim devotees alike participate in rituals, helping each other during preparations and celebrations. “Chhath Puja unites everyone,” says Pratima Sharma, a longtime devotee.
Four Days of Rituals and Devotion
Chhath Puja unfolds over four distinct days:
- Nahay-Khay (Day 1) – Devotees bathe in rivers, wearing new clothes, and prepare pumpkin rice (lauki chawal) as prasad. Garlic and onions are strictly avoided in all dishes. Eating pumpkin rice is believed to purify the mind, body, and soul while offering numerous health benefits, including antioxidants that strengthen immunity.
- Kharna (Day 2) – Devotees observe a 36-hour Nirjala fast (without water). Kharna Prasad, made of jaggery pudding, rice, and wheat rotis, is prepared on a clay stove using mango wood, considered auspicious. Consuming jaggery is believed to prevent seasonal ailments like cough, cold, and flu by replenishing phosphorus levels in the body.
- Shashthi (Day 3) – Offerings are made to the setting sun. Devotees decorate arghya bowls in bamboo baskets and gather at riverbanks to perform rituals. Thekua, rice laddus, fruits, and other traditional items form part of the prasad, while devotional songs for Chhathi Maiya are sung throughout the evening.
- Saptami (Day 4) – The festival culminates with prayers to the rising sun. Devotees break their fast after offering arghya and consuming Chhath prasad, including rice, dal, vegetables, papad, and sweets. Special attention is paid to purity in rituals, with Ganga water used in every step, from cleaning to offerings.
Purity and Community Spirit at the Ghats
Chhath Puja is unique in that it is performed without priests. Devotees themselves carry out all rituals, ensuring complete purity in materials and offerings. Wheat, rice, sugarcane, ginger, turmeric, honey, and seasonal fruits form part of the ceremonial setup, stored in bamboo or brass containers.
Community participation is integral. All devotees, regardless of caste, contribute to cleaning ghats, building stoves, and managing preparations. “During Chhath, people abandon ego and discrimination, immersing themselves entirely in worship,” says Pratima Sharma.
Mythological Roots and Historical Significance
The origins of Chhath trace back to the Rig Vedic period. It is mentioned in texts such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Skanda Purana. Legends say Mother Sita, daughter of Mithila, first observed the Chhath fast, worshipping the sun for her family’s prosperity. Later, King Priyavrat celebrated Chhath to cure leprosy, and Draupadi observed the ritual during her exile as instructed by Sage Dhaumya.
Saptami Tithi, the day of the rising sun offering, is especially significant, as it is dedicated to Lord Surya according to the Vishnu Purana. Chhath is celebrated for health, prosperity, childbirth, and family harmony.
Health, Rituals, and Devotion Intertwined
Beyond spiritual significance, Chhath Puja emphasizes physical and mental well-being. The carefully prepared prasad, fasting, and immersion in nature are believed to cleanse the body, mind, and soul. On the final day, devotees wash their clothes with Ganga water and use it to wipe their face and eyes, symbolizing purification and believed to cure ailments.
Chhath is not just a festival; it is a cultural institution that bridges generations, regions, and religions. From Bihar to global diaspora communities in America, Bengaluru, and beyond, the festival continues to inspire faith, discipline, and communal harmony.
Conclusion
As Bihar prepares for Chhath 2025, the festival stands as a testament to devotion, purity, and unity. Its rituals—simple yet profound—remind devotees of the Sun God’s life-giving energy, the importance of family bonds, and the enduring strength of community participation.
In an era of social divisions, Chhath Puja continues to be a celebration without barriers, reflecting the timeless spiritual and cultural heritage of Bihar.
