Chhath Puja – A Festival of Faith and Gratitude
Chhath Puja is one of the most ancient and unique festivals of India, celebrated with deep devotion, simplicity and grandeur. Beginning with Nahay-Khay, this four-day festival includes a 36-hour fast and is considered extremely rigorous, disciplined and sacred compared to other fasts. For this reason, it is also called Mahaparv (the great festival).
Primarily dedicated to nature, the festival is observed with special reverence in Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as among certain communities in Nepal. Chhathi Maiya is regarded as a manifestation of Mother Nature. The festival is celebrated to thank the Sun God (Surya Dev) for sustaining life on earth and to pray for the health, prosperity and well-being of the family.
Origins and Significance
The origin of Chhath Puja is traced back to the Vedic period. The Rigveda mentions the tradition of offering Arghya (holy water and milk) to the Sun. According to the epic Mahabharata, Karna – the son of the Sun God – was a devout worshipper who regularly performed these rituals. Another legend connects Chhath Puja with Draupadi and the Pandavas, who are believed to have observed the fast to overcome difficulties in their lives. These stories highlight the festival’s deep spiritual roots and its significance in Indian tradition.
Rituals and Observances
Chhath Puja is observed over four days, with each day having its own distinct rituals:
- Nahay-Khay (Day 1): Devotees take a holy dip in rivers and consume only simple vegetarian meals to purify themselves.
- Kharna (Day 2): After fasting the entire day, devotees prepare offerings of jaggery-rice pudding (kheer) and fruits, which are consumed after sunset.
- Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): A rigorous waterless fast is observed and devotees offer Arghya to the setting sun at rivers, ponds, or Ghats.
- Usha Arghya (Day 4): The festival concludes with prayers and offerings to the rising sun at dawn.
The Celebration in Bihar and Beyond
In Bihar, Chhath Puja is celebrated with unmatched grandeur and is regarded as the most important festival of the year. Thousands of devotees, dressed in traditional attire and carrying baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane and Thekua (a special preparation for Chhath), gather at rivers and ponds. The Ghats of Patna, Gaya Ji and other cities are specially cleaned and decorated for the occasion. The sight of devotees standing in water with lamps, folk songs and devotional hymns creates a divine and enchanting atmosphere. For the people, Chhath is not merely a ritual but a deeply emotional experience of discipline, purity and faith.
Chhath Puja is also celebrated with enthusiasm in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and other states where people from Bihar and Jharkhand have settled. The festival holds equal importance in Nepal’s Terai region, where similar traditions are followed. In recent years, Chhath Puja has spread to Indian communities abroad, where rivers, lakes and even swimming pools are transformed into places of worship.
Spiritual and Cultural Significance.
The essence of Chhath Puja lies in gratitude, purity and harmony with nature. Unlike many festivals that involve idols and elaborate decorations, Chhath uses only natural offerings like water, fruits and sunlight, symbolizing the deep connection between humans and nature. The festival conveys a message of discipline, devotion and the power of collective prayer in uniting communities. On the Ghats of Patna,such as Collectorate Ghat, Digha Ghat, Bhadra Ghat, Gai Ghat, Gandhi Ghat, Kali Ghat, NIT Ghat, Pathri Ghat and many others, the festival becomes a grand confluence of faith and social harmony.
Thus, Chhath Puja is not merely a festival, but a spiritual journey of faith, patience and reverence for nature. Its grandeur on the ghats of Bihar and its growing popularity across India and abroad make it one of the most remarkable and inspiring celebrations of Indian culture.
By: Mr. Syed Ziaul Hassan (Manager – Patna)
