From San Francisco to Mauritius: Chhath Puja Celebrated Worldwide by Bihari Community
As the Chhath festival unfolds, the Bihari diaspora is celebrating with fervor and devotion in countries around the world, from the United States to the United Kingdom, Thailand to Mauritius. This ancient Hindu festival, dedicated to the Sun God and the goddess Chhathi Maiya, has found a home in far-off lands, resonating deeply with expatriates and their families who continue the tradition despite being miles away from Bihar.
In San Francisco, USA, Rakesh Singh from Gaya and his wife Rajat Vibha have been performing Chhath Puja since 2014, joined each year by more devotees. What began as a small gathering has grown to include around 30 participants this year. “The tradition has grown over time,” Rakesh said, highlighting how his wife and her friend Shalini, also from Bihar, have inspired others to participate in the celebration.
In Melbourne, Australia, Ram Sukhmani, whose family has roots in Hajipur and has lived in the city for three generations, also keeps the Chhath tradition alive. Priyanka, originally from Lakhisarai, has been observing Chhath for a decade and says the celebration bridges the gap with her homeland. “We don’t feel like we’re far from Bihar,” she shared.
Thailand has also embraced the festival, with Bhagalpur-native Dhananjay Prasad Shukla organizing celebrations near Sukhumvit’s Geeta Ashram Street. Thai resident Nuttiporn Parjugalang is joining Indian families in observing Chhath, while Satish Shukla notes that necessary items like soup, dal, and fruits are readily available or can be ordered online.
In Birmingham, UK, the festival has taken on a community-wide dimension. The city’s Sri Venkateswara Balaji temple has been arranged for Arghya offerings, drawing around 500 families from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The “Biharis Beyond Boundaries” group has organized this year’s celebration, with an expected turnout of 100 additional families, according to Ajay Kumar, a local organizer.
Ireland has also seen a rise in Chhath celebrations, led by the Bihar-Jharkhand organization. In Dublin, worshippers observe the rituals, adjusting for the time difference by offering the evening Arghya at around 10 p.m. local time. The celebration has become a tradition in the city over the past decade.
In the United States, cities like New Jersey and Phoenix have seen similar gatherings. Anju Sinha and Pooja Pandey from Bhagalpur are celebrating Chhath for the first time in Phoenix, supported by the Bihar-Jharkhand Association of North America. The association has been organizing Chhath ghats since 2017, and thousands are expected to participate in this year’s event.
In London, the Bihari Connect UK organization is organizing a large celebration at the Brahmarshi Ashram in Hounslow. More than two thousand people from Bihar and Jharkhand are expected to attend the event, which runs from November 6 to 8. Rajiv Singh and Virendra Rai of the organization shared that Captain Om Prakash, a Ranchi native and the secretary of Bihari Connect UK, is leading the arrangements for this grand festival of faith.
Finally, in Mauritius, the large Indian diaspora from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh gathers near ponds to celebrate Chhath Puja with enthusiasm. The vibrant colors of Indian tradition and culture are on full display, transforming Mauritius into a reflection of Indian customs during this time.
The global Chhath celebrations underscore the strength of the Bihari community’s cultural ties, as devotees continue to honor the festival with devotion, unity, and pride, regardless of where they live.
