Chhath Puja: Holy Festival of the Sun God

Chhath Puja is among the most auspicious festivals for residents of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal, although it has increasingly become popular in large areas of India and even in the Indian diaspora across the globe. This distinctive and strong festival is to the Sun God Surya and his wife Usha. It is a festival of thanks, where the devotees make prayers for the well-being, prosperity, and good health of their families. It is mainly celebrated by women, who undergo strict fasting and perform several rituals with devotion and discipline.

The Rituals and Importance of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is celebrated for four days, with each day witnessing a different series of rituals. The first day also called Nahay Khay includes a purification process. Devotees perform a sacred bath in the river or a pond, sanitize their homes, and make offerings for the festival. The second day, Kharna, is a fast day and offering a special prasad (sweets of rice, jaggery, and kheer) to the Sun God. On this day, devotees also observe a day-long fast without taking water, breaking the fast only after sunset.

The most significant among the three days is the third day, Suryastak. This is the day when the followers of Surya go to the banks of rivers or lakes to pray to the departing sun. They stand in knee-deep water, carrying containers filled with offerings of fruits, rice, and sweets, and reciting prayers and hymns to Surya. The final day, Suryodaya, is the concluding stage of the festivities where people worship before dawn offering prayers to the sun rising. This is the most sacred day, and it is a day of utmost devotion.

The whole festival is not physically ritualistic but also symbolic. The Sun God symbolizes energy, health, and life, and through their prayer, the devotees feel they are seeking blessings for the well-being and flourishing of their families. Chhath Puja is essentially a thanksgiving to the Sun, recognizing its crucial function to keep life going on the Earth. 

Chhath Puja and the Community Spirit

Although Chhath Puja is a family festival, it also unites communities. In urban India and internationally, people gather in large numbers to celebrate the festival, and thus it is also a festival of unity. Riverbanks, lakeshores and even specially prepared ponds are thronged by people with baskets of offerings in their hands, carrying out rituals, and singing religious songs. The image of individuals standing side by side in water up to their knees, reciting prayers and conducting rituals together, is a strong image of devotion and religion.

What is unique about this festival is the devotion and submission of the devotees. The fasting, abstention from food and water and physical endurance of standing in cold water for several hours are all undertaken with a profound sense of reverence for the Sun God. Such dedication to a divine cause is what makes Chhath Puja so unique with its significance to those who follow it.

The Worldwide Extent of Chhath Puja

Although Chhath Puja originated in India's eastern states, its popularity has spread much wider. Indian diaspora in nations like America, Canada, UK and UAE celebrate Chhath Puja, taking with them the rich heritage and tradition of the homeland. The festival not only reminds them of where they came from but also provides a sense of community among individuals of the same cultural origin particularly abroad.

In a few locations outside India, big Chhath Puja festivals are arranged in proximity to water bodies, with intricate arrangements, such as creating temporary ponds, arranging cultural performances, and getting locals to observe the festival. The festival has developed a new sense of identity in these areas bringing people in touch with their heritage while providing an avenue to deepen their relationship with one another.

Conclusion: A Celebration of Faith and Devotion

Chhath Puja is not merely a religious ritual but a cultural phenomenon expressing the values of family, faith and appreciation. Its a festival that breaks geographical boundaries and unites people in their common faith in Sun God's power. For the believers, it's a moment to introspect into their lives, offer thanks for the favors they have received, and pray for good fortune in the times to come. Whether in the heart of India or across the oceans, Chhath Puja remains a beautiful reminder of faith, community, and the eternal power of the Sun.