Hindus Celebrating Chhath Festival after Dashain and Tihar

After the Dashain and Tihar festivals, Hindus are gearing up to celebrate Chhath Festival, which started today. Observing various rituals over the four days, i.e. October 17 - October 20 for 2023, the festival concludes by praying and giving offerings to the rising sun in the morning. 

General Background

Chhath Puja, an ancient Hindu festival, honors the Sun God, Surya, and his wife, Chhathi Maiya (Usha), as a way to express gratitude and seek blessings for well-being, prosperity, and longevity. Widely celebrated in the Terai regions of Nepal and India - especially in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, Chhath is observed over four days during the Hindu month of Kartik. The festival is marked by a series of important rituals performed formally. 

Devotees, also known as "Vratis," maintain strict purity and discipline throughout the celebrations. The main worshippers, called Parvaitin, adhere to rigorous fasting over the four-day period while following several other rites such as holy bathing and offering prayers to the rising and setting sun. Along with these customs, participants indulge in various natural activities such as taking dips in rivers and standing in water for extended periods. The main rituals consist of offering argha (offerings) to the setting and rising sun that involves preparing elaborate sweets like kheer and thekua. Afterward, these offerings are shared among people as naivedya.

During this annual event held twice a year, Chhath Puja unites communities who participate in festivities focusing on prayer within natural surroundings. Interestingly enough, it is considered one of the most eco-friendly Hindu festivals for its minimal materialistic celebrations. The more prominent celebration of Chhath Puja occurs after Diwali in late October or November as Chhath Mahaparv. Meanwhile, a smaller version called Chaiti Chhath occurs during the summer season. 

Within the celebration's framework, adherents also enjoy traditional songs known as Chhath geet which contribute greatly to enriching worship throughout the festival. Thus, Chhath Puja combines formal rituals with human attributes while preserving cultural significance and bringing communities together. Its eco-friendly nature and emphasis on thanksgiving make it a unique and memorable event in the lives of its devotees.

History and Origin

The ancient origins of Chhath Puja are not entirely clear, but it is believed to date back to Vedic times. According to some legends, the festival may have started during the ancient Rigvedic period when the sages used to worship the sun and recite hymns in its praise. Other accounts trace the practice of sun worship during Chhath to the story of Lord Rama and his wife Sita. It's believed that Sita and Rama kept fasts and offered prayers to the sun during their exile. Medieval Puranic texts like the Mahabharata make references to Draupadi and the Pandavas observing similar rituals of sun worship. The festival finds mention in writings by the medieval Bhakti movement saints and poets which indicates it was being observed in those times. 

While Chhath was practiced in ancient times, the festival started gaining significant popularity and became a major festival during the late 18th and early 19th century. During this period, Chhath became an important folk festival in the regions of Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in India and Nepal. Through the medieval and colonial periods, the festival grew as a major expression of regional identity and belonging for the people of these areas. 

In the 20th century, Chhath was revived and re-popularised by regional leaders and social reformers as a way to promote regional pride and cohesion. Today, it is one of the most widely celebrated and iconic festivals of Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern UP together with migrants from these regions across India. 

So, we can say while Chhath may have ancient Vedic roots, it gained substantial popularity as a major festival over the last 300 years.

Four Days of Spiritual Devotion and Rituals

Day 3 - Sandhya Arghya:

On the third day, devotees offer evening arghya and prayers to the setting sun. The arghya consists of sweets, milk, sugarcane juice, rice and coconuts. They stand in knee-deep water and offer prayers as the sun sets.

Day 4 - Usha Arghya:

Before sunrise on the final day, devotees gather at the bank of a river or pond. Just as the sun rises, they offer the morning arghya to the rising sun with offerings similar to the previous evening. This concludes the Chhath puja rituals. The 36-hour fast is broken after the conclusion. The prasad is then distributed among the family after reaching home.

Religious Significance and Importance

Chhath Puja holds great cultural, spiritual, and religious significance reflecting ancient Hindu traditions as well as traditional reverence for the pancha mahabhutas - the five elements. Here we list out some of its importance:

• It is considered one of the most ancient and spiritual Vedic festivals dedicated to the sun god Surya and goddess Chhathi Maiya.
• The elaborate rituals of Chhath signify the divine importance of the sun as a source of energy, life, and prosperity.
• By offering arghya to the rising and setting sun, devotees show gratitude and seek the solar deity's blessings.
• It is believed that strict observance of the rituals provides the devotees with mental, physical, and spiritual purification as well as fulfillment of wishes.
• The festival highlights the divine importance of ecological phenomena like the rising and setting of the sun and its powers.
• Chhath emphasizes the significance of sunlight for sustaining life on Earth. The elaborate rituals reflect the ancient belief in the sun's creative and life-giving energies.
• It is considered an important folk festival upholding traditional Hindu religious beliefs as well as cultural traditions of ancient sun worship.
• The elaborate norms of ritual purity, fasting, and worship underline the significance of devotion, spiritual discipline, austerity, and reverence for the natural elements of water and sun.
• Chhath is celebrated with great fervor, underscoring the significance of faith, hope, and unity across social strata in accomplishing the ritual traditions.
   

Evolution of Chhath Festival

Here are some of the key ways in which Chhath Puja has changed and evolved over the years:

• Scale and spread: From being mainly celebrated in Terai regions of Nepal and the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Eastern Uttar Pradesh, it is now celebrated more widely across including in metropolitan cities by migrants. The scale of celebration has grown significantly. As people migrated to urban areas, Chhath transcended regional boundaries, becoming a pan-country festival in Nepal and India.
• Rituals: While the core rituals remain the same, some peripheral customs and the way they are practiced have changed. For example, offering milk to the sun has become more common in modern times.
• Inclusion of modern hymns: While traditional Chhath songs remain integral, modern Chhath hymns and bhajans are also gaining popularity. Devotional music videos are also made.
• Inclusivity and Social Change: Traditionally led by women, Chhath now sees increased male participation, signifying evolving gender norms. It is also embraced by individuals from diverse religious backgrounds, showcasing cultural inclusivity.
• Celebration style: Earlier Chhath was celebrated more modestly within families and rural communities. Now, especially in cities, it is celebrated lavishly with pomp and show.
• Administration involvement: The government now provides facilities and monitoring for festivities, which were previously arranged informally.
• Politicization: Political parties and leaders are now more involved in Chhath events and celebrations to connect with voters.
• Environmental impact: The modern style of celebrating Chhath has raised ecological concerns of water pollution and waste. Efforts are being made to celebrate it in an eco-friendly way.
• Technological Influence: In the digital age, individuals unable to visit hometowns participate through virtual platforms. Chhath festivities are shared globally through various media platforms, connecting people and showcasing cultural richness.
• Government Recognition: Governments acknowledge Chhath as a public holiday in certain regions, endorsing its cultural importance. Ghats and facilities for Chhath rituals are developed in a significant amount, enhancing the overall experience.

So in many ways, Chhath retains its traditional significance but is also evolving with the changing sociocultural trends. The core customs remain unaltered.

Impacts on People's Lives

Here are some ways in which Chhath Puja impacts people's lives:

• Promotes family and social bonding - Chhath is celebrated together with fasting, worship, and offering prayers. This brings families and communities together.
• Upholds cultural identity - Chhath is associated with regional identity in Terai regions in Nepal and Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP in India. Celebrating it reaffirms cultural roots.
• Provides a sense of continuity - Passing on the festival traditions to younger generations gives a sense of cultural continuity.
• Boosts tourism - The festivities and mass gatherings give a boost to local tourism and businesses.
• Grants emotional strength - The rigor and fulfillment of observing Chhath rituals evoke a sense of accomplishment and mental strength.