New Delhi, October 29, 2022, Saturday

In Bihar, Chhath Puja is celebrated on the day of Kartak Sud Chhath. The celebration of this festival of folk faith is so magnificent that witnessing it is also a privilege. This unique festival of Sun worship has been celebrated for centuries. The biggest festival of Maithil, Magadha and Bhojpuri people, this unique folk festival is celebrated in Jharkhand, West Bengal, North East besides Bihar. Chhath dhoom is also found in Nepal and Terai areas. Dating back to Vedic times, this festival has become a part of Bihar's culture.

This festival shows a small glimpse of the Vedic Aryan culture of Bihar. Chhath Puja is celebrated according to Arya tradition of Sun worship, Usha Puja and Rigveda written by sages. This festival celebrated by Hindus in Bihar is also seen celebrating other religions including Islam.

In Chhath Puja, Muslim women prepare the clay oven with great devotion. The pottery comes from the potter's house while the milk for preparing the soup and porridge comes from the herdsman's house. The sixth is dedicated to giving thanks to Prakriti, Pani, Vayu and her sister Maya for restoring life to the gods on earth.

The rituals of this festival are rigorous and are celebrated for a total period of four days. These include holy bathing, fasting and abstinence from drinking water (vrata), standing in water for long periods, and prasad (prayer offerings) and arghya. Puja Prasad is also very important.

On the first day of Anushthan, doodhi and chana dal sabji which is prepared by adding sengha namak. A non-water fast is observed for 36 hours. On the next day in the evening, gorni kheer and barley roti are placed as pooja prasad along with fruit. After 36 hours the fasting person remains without water. Rice and wheat flour ladles are also important in Prasad.

After 36 hours of fasting, the mixture is mixed with water and a piece of pepper is given. With this the Vrat is completed. This prasad strengthens the immune system. It is not a festival but a ritual associated with nature which has direct relationship with the elements of nature.

Pooja is done standing in the water of a flowing river. There is also a scientific basis behind this. Due to the direct fall of the rays of the sun in the river water, the skin gets rid of the disease by applying jubka. It is a pooja ritual in which people come from all over the country to participate and witness. Forgetting caste differences, everyone worships at the ghats of the river. Even in material comforts and digital age, the glory of Chhath Puja has not gone away.

Apart from Hindu women and men, the surprising thing is that as many as 838 inmates of different jails in Bihar have also observed Chhath Puja, including 361 women and 476 men. Not only the general public but also the prisoners, including some Muslim prisoners, bow their heads against the glory of Chhath Maiya.

According to the information received, 4 Muslim prisoners have performed rituals in Bhagalpur jail. A total of 169 prisoners are worshiping Chhath in Muzaffarpur Jail. There are 78 men and 91 women while 117 prisoners are fasting in Sitamarhi. There are 73 men and 44 women taking this vow. Similarly, 112 prisoners in Motihari jail and 85 in Darbhanga jail are fasting.