Patna: The four- day Chhath Puja, a major festival of faith and devotion, has commenced across Bihar with the traditional ritual of Nahai-Khai on Tuesday. Early morning crowds of worshippers gathered at river ghats throughout the state, including in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, and Vaishali, to bathe in the Ganga and offer prayers to the Sun God.
Following their ritual bath, devotees collected river water to take home, using it to prepare prasad, a sacred meal of pumpkin, rice, and gram dal. This simple dish is consumed as part of the purification process that marks the beginning of the four-day festival. On the first day, garlic and onion are traditionally avoided, with devotees opting for pumpkin vegetable, Arwa rice, and gram dal as prasad.
The longstanding tradition of Chhath devotees consuming pumpkin and rice with their families is said to cleanse the mind, speech, and soul. Pumpkin, known for its high levels of antioxidants, is believed to strengthen the immune system, adding a health benefit to the spiritual practice.
Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh is observing Chhath Puja for the first time this year. She shared her experience in a video on social media, in which she is seen cleaning wheat as part of the festival preparations. Alongside the video, she expressed her mix of excitement and nervousness, writing, “I am learning the small rules. There is both fear and happiness in my mind. I am feeling excited, my heart is saying- Jai Chhathi Maiya.”
Chhath Puja, which honours the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth, is one of the most significant festivals in Bihar and eastern India, with millions of devotees observing it with great devotion.
