The Story of Chhath Puja - Why is it so Important?

The most unique feature about the Chhath Puja is the main idea behind it which is above the disputed concept of Murti Pujan (Idol Worshipping) unlike most of the festivals of the Hindu religion. In simple terms, Sun is the source of life for possibly every creature on this planet earth and this festival is just a way to pay tribute to that life support system irrespective of caste, creed, gender and social stigmas. Isn’t that unique, simple and binding? The uniqueness in the whole fuss about this festival amongst Bihari(s) is because of a never ending list- Young, Newly married, Widow, Divorcee, no matter what is your relationship status you can keep the fast without being bound to fall in a category to observe this fast. Male or Female is hardly a conce because just like sunlight reaches all, this festival preaches all. You could see both or say even the third gender as a devotee at the Chhath Puja. The cleanliness and brotherhood reaches sky high the moment Chhath Puja approaches and it is surely an inspiration to be followed otherwise as well. It is a 4 day festival with 2 days of pre-festival procedures and 2 days of main fast and believe it or not every other devotee has to follow the same strict guidelines throughout with no weightage to “Jaanta hai mera baap kaun hai!” All the proceedings and offerings are offered by the devotees observing the fast all on their own which breaks another stereotype of hiring a priest. The inclusiveness of this festival goes on to an extent that right from the preparation phase till the Prasad vitaran ( offering distribution) phase, every other caste has a vital role to play without being demeaned to be belonging from that caste. Also, there is no huge fuss about list of things to be offered like a pricey affair, because literally anything, almost like you name it and it is there kind is being offered to the Sun God in Chhath Puja and you choose that as per your convenience. Most importantly, you can ask for the Prasad (the famous Thekua, wheat-flour savory) and blessings from a devotee just by asking for it even if you’re a total stranger to them because no one says no to such favours and that makes it a universal uniting mechanism so to say. Not to forget the Chhath Puja aura which includes back to back SHARDA SINHA songs being played at every other point across the city, the vivid decoration and excellent law & order across the Ghats (River Banks) forcing every Bihari to mark it in their calendars right at the beginning of the year. Women on periods has been a huge fuss across our culture specially for religious purposes but the Chhath Puja doesn’t prohibit women from observing the fast if they are menstruating. The Leniency to continue observing this fast has different funda(s) across different regions of Bihar with Mihtilanchal (North Bihar) having the culture to do it no matter what whereby rest of the regions believes in observing and discontinuing the fast over the years if a misfortune meets their family such as death. Convenience at the best, I say! Since the Puja is widely celebrated across the Indian state of Bihar and several other neighboring states, the Biharis find themselves too much associated to the smallest possible preparation from a very young age in their lives. It is because of the tuning which Bihar gives in its upbringing that no matter where we live Chhath Puja shenanigans is a must to do ranging from beaches to river side, ponds to lakes, swimming pools to Rubber pools and to the huge utensils too. At the end it is the devotion that matters. Wo kehte hain na “Mann changa toh Kathauti mei Ganga.”