Chhath Puja: Sun Worship and Ancient Rituals in Bihar

Chhath Festival is one of the most important Hindu festivals where Lord Surya (Sun) is worshipped. Celebrated primarily in the state of Bihar, as well as in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Nepal, this ritual is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and his wife Usha. Like other Hindu festivals, Chhath Puja is characterized by its austerity, heartfelt devotion, and direct connection with nature.

Chhath Puja is known as Chhath Parva, Dala Chhath, Surya Shasthi, and Chaithi. It is celebrated in different parts of the world, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh in India, and the Maithili region of Nepal. Chhath Parva falls in the month of Kartik. This festival is primarily celebrated to thank Surya Devta for life on earth.

Chhath Parva is the main festival of Maithili culture as it is mentioned in both Ramayana and Mahabharata. Celebrations are mostly held in the morning at sunrise. The main rituals of this festival are observed on the fourth day.

The rituals mainly include a sacred bath in the river, fasting, prolonged standing sun worship, and the offering of prasad, mainly to married women. During this festival, married women fast to ensure prosperity and a longer family life.

Importance of Chhath Puja

Interestingly, Surya is the main god worshipped during Chhath. Devotees thank Surya for the light. They worship him mainly at sunrise and sunset, especially women who fast all day and eat only after sunset during Chhath Parva.

Devotees also worship the goddesses Usha and Pratyusha, as well as the Sun. Usha is the first ray of the sun, the morning one, and Pratyusha is the last ray of the sun, the evening one. during the festival.

Farmers celebrate this festival, thanking God for the good harvests of the past season and the coming season.

According to Hindu scriptures, offering Surya various prasads, such as Thekua, Laddu, Kheer and fruits in wooden bowls, will make him happy. During the festival, pure vegetarian dishes are eaten, without onion or garlic, and the prashad is prepared without salt.

Distribution of gifts

Gift giving is always a highlight of the festivals. Without exchange, the celebration can seem boring.

History of Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is a celebration of worshipping Lord Surya for a longer, happier, and more prosperous life on earth. The origin of this festival is obscure and undefined, and ancient beliefs surround its history. Chhath Puja has a rich and fascinating history. It is mentioned in the holy books, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Chhath puja in Mahabharata

Besides the five Pandavas, Kunti gave birth to another child before her birth, endowed with magical powers. This child was the son of Surya. She stood in front of the Ganges River and offered her prayer to Surya and began the Chhath puja.

It is said that Draupadi and Pandav performed the same prayer when they took back their kingdom Indraprastha from the Kauravs. Therefore, Chhath puja has been celebrated since that time.

Chhath puja in Ramayana

Rama is also believed to be associated with Chhath Puja. After returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of Banbash, Ram, Sita, and Laxman fasted for a whole day and ate in honor of Lord Surya after sunset. Since then, Chhath Puja is said to be celebrated every year in honour of Surya.

Rituals involved in Chhath puja

Chhath Parva begins at the beginning of the month of Kartik. Many small rituals are celebrated throughout the month, but the most important ones are performed after 4 or 5 days of Diwali.

Chhath Puja always takes place on the fourth day after the end of Diwali.

On this day, the main celebration takes place in different parts of the country. Devotees offer "Argha" to the Sun God at sunset.

Day 1: Naya Khay

The first day of this festival is called Naya Khay. On this day, devotees bathe in rivers. The main rivers where one can bathe are the Karnali, Koshi, and Ganges. However, you can bathe near your home during this festival. After the holy bath, the devotee takes the river water home. It is believed that the river water keeps bad energies away. After this, devotees fast all day without drinking water and perform Prashad after sunset.

Day 2: Lokhanda or kharna

The second day of Chhath Puja is called khanda or khana. On this day, devotees take a bath early in the morning. After bathing, they pray to the sun and begin their fast. They dance and sing on this day and eat after sunset. In the evening, they pray to the sunset and the moon. Devotees offer kheer, rice, and bananas to their families. After this, they fast for a whole day.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya

The third day of the Chhath puja is called Sandhya Arghya. On this day, devotees continue their fast from the last day. They did not even have water that day. Devotees devote the entire day to the puja. They prepare and offer the Prashad to others. Thekua, coconut, and banana, along with other seasonal fruits, are essential for preparing the Prashad. After this, all the devotees gather at the bank of the river or pond and pray to Lord Sun.

Day 4: Bihaniya or Bhorwa Ghat (morning Arghya)

This is the last day of Chhath Puja. On this day, devotees get up early and take a bath. Then they gather again at a river, pond, or waterhole. They pray to the Lord's son. After offering Arghya to God, they kneel to worship Chathi Maiya at the ghast. They pray for the prosperity and health of their families. They dance and have fun throughout the day. Thus, with these rituals, Chhath Puja comes to an end.

The Ritualistic Elements

Chhath Puja is full of unique symbolism:

Soop (bamboo cane baskets): These are filled with fruits, sweets and sugar cane.

Puja Thali: Contains oil lamps, flowers and rice.

Water from the Ganga River or local ponds: considered purifying.

Sugarcane: symbol of prosperity and sweetness in life.

Kheer and Thekua: Typical sweets offered as prasada.

In Bihar, Chhath Puja is not only a religious festival, but also a community celebration. Streets, houses, and riverbanks are lit with earthen lamps, while thousands of devotees sing traditional hymns.

The atmosphere becomes almost mystical: entire families, dressed simply, walk barefoot toward the rivers; songs mingle with the sound of the water; and the setting sun becomes the protagonist of a collective act of faith.

Chhath Puja in Modern Life

Although Chhath Puja has ancient roots, the festival remains central to contemporary India. In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, even the largest cities come to a standstill during these days, as riverbanks and ponds become centers of mass devotion.

In modern life, where the pace of work and urbanization often distance people from spirituality, Chhath Puja acts as a reminder of cultural and natural roots. Many devotees living outside India, in places like Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, United Kingdom, and Latin America, recreate the festival in local parks or lakes, keeping the tradition alive even in the diaspora.

The festival has also evolved in terms of organization: artificial ponds are built in cities, security is reinforced on riverbanks, and ceremonies are broadcast live on television and the internet, allowing millions of people to participate from all over the world.

Music, Hymns and Devotion in Bihar

An essential aspect of Chhath Puja is devotional music. Traditional hymns, known as Chhath Geet, are sung by women during the rituals. These songs express gratitude to the Sun, ask for protection for the family, and celebrate the fertility of the earth.

Some of these chants have been passed down orally for generations and are part of Bihar's collective memory. Even in the diaspora, Chhath Geet keeps devotees' emotional connection to their homeland alive.

Music isn't just entertainment. It's a form of collective meditation, where united voices reinforce the spiritual energy of the festival.

Practical Guide for Travelers

For travelers looking to experience Chhath Puja, here are some tips:

When to go: October or November, on the sixth day after the full moon of Kartika.

Where to experience the festival: Patna (capital of Bihar), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) and Ranchi (Jharkhand) are the most vibrant places.

What to expect: Thousands of devotees gathered on the riverbanks at dawn and dusk, with collective chanting and offerings.

How to participate: You can watch from the ghats with respect, join community processions, or share prasada with devotees.

Cultural etiquette: Wear modest clothing, avoid interrupting devotees during the ritual, and ask permission before taking photographs.

Conclusion: Chhath Puja as a Bridge between Nature and Spirituality

Chhath Puja is more than a regional festival; it's a spiritual practice that connects humanity with the cosmos. Through sun worship, devotees are reminded of humanity's dependence on nature and the need to live in harmony with it.

The festival is notable for its austerity and purity: there are no idols or temples, only the sun, water, and human devotion. In this sense, Chhath Puja is one of the most authentic expressions of Hinduism, uniting community, discipline, and gratitude.

For those traveling to Bihar or northern India, witnessing Chhath Puja is to discover the ancient spirit of India , where the divine is found in the simplest things: the sunrise over a river and the hands of devotees praying with faith.