FOUR DAYS CHHATH FESTIVAL CELEBRATED WITH RELIGIOUS ZEAL AND SANCTITY
Devotional fervour gushed forth across Bihar on Sunday when millions of people offered salutations to the setting sun on the auspicious occasion of "Chhath", the state's most popular festival. "Chhath vratees" - those taking part in elaborate rituals without taking a sip of water for 36 hours - stood in waist-deep waters at ghats along rivers, ponds, and even make-shift water bodies on rooftops for "arghya" (offering) to the "astachal gami Surya" on November 19, 2023 and with offering of oblation (arghya) to the rising sun on Monday at different chhath ghats in Bhojpur district, the four day Chhath festival, one of the rarest religious festivals which involves no priestcraft, the 36 hours fast came to an end by and large peacefully amidst violation of the directives of the Bhojpur district administration and the "vratees" broke their fast partaking of the "prasad" that consists, primarily, of "thekua", a delicacy made of flour and jaggery, besides fruits. Showing communal harmony and age long ‘Ganga-Jamuni’ culture, even the muslim brethren observed Chhath with traditional manner.
ARA, (RNI) Devotional fervour gushed forth across Bihar on Sunday when millions of people offered salutations to the setting sun on the auspicious occasion of "Chhath", the state's most popular festival. "Chhath vratees" - those taking part in elaborate rituals without taking a sip of water for 36 hours - stood in waist-deep waters at ghats along rivers, ponds, and even make-shift water bodies on rooftops for "arghya" (offering) to the "astachal gami Surya" on November 19, 2023 and with offering of oblation (arghya) to the rising sun on Monday at different chhath ghats in Bhojpur district, the four day Chhath festival, one of the rarest religious festivals which involves no priestcraft, the 36 hours fast came to an end by and large peacefully amidst violation of the directives of the Bhojpur district administration and the "vratees" broke their fast partaking of the "prasad" that consists, primarily, of "thekua", a delicacy made of flour and jaggery, besides fruits. Showing communal harmony and age long ‘Ganga-Jamuni’ culture, even the muslim brethren observed Chhath with traditional manner.
All streets seemed to be leading to the different Chhath Ghats in Bhojpur where social segregations gave way, even if temporarily, in the face of an all-encompassing devotion towards "Chhathi Maiya", who is believed to fulfill wishes.
Prior to the rising of the Sun god, thousands of devotees, men women, old, young and girl with heavy make-up and designed clothes assembled at different chhath ghats in Bhojpur district singing traditional chhath songs. Some devotees are seen prostrating on the road from their houses to the chhath ghats and the family members offered their gratitude at every prostration. After offering of arghya or oblation, prasads or propitiatory were distributed among the people at the ghats and also among the family members and acquaintances.
The residents of Ara, cleaned and decorated the town with colourful lights, diyas and rangolis the whole night on November 19, 2023 turning the town into a fairy land and the entire town areas wore a decorative or festive look and mesmerized passersby. People stopped at the rangoli sites for having a glance and selfies.
Some social organizations set up make shift stalls at Chhath ghats and supplied milk, tea, pudding, delicacies and also first aid. Even Bhojpur district administration had made elaborate security arrangements at almost all the ghats and provided medical aid facilities. Doctors and Nurses were deputed at all the Chhath ghats with free medicines and first aid facilities.
One Sakina Khatoon alias Gudia of Ara is observing Chhath for the last 15 years. Driven to despair over not having any children despite many years of marriage, she started observing the Chhath despite protest in her family as it was a gunnah (sin) but her husband supported. Chhathi Maiya blessed her and so she would continue Chhath till she breathed her last. Other such example is Md Ahamad, an employee in a private sector, observed the grueling austerities for the seven year impelled by a tale that is as fascinating as incredible. He said that he had gone to his friend during Chhath 10 years ago when a stone hurled playfully by me at no one in particular hit a snake. The serpent turned out to be vicious and chased me for a couple of days. It was pacified when my friend's mother prayed to Chhathi Maiya that I be spared and that as penance I shall be observing Chhath for seven years. He added that he owed his life to Chhathi Maiya. So, even today, having discontinued the observances, he nonetheless makes it a point and helps as many vratees as he can.
Indeed, many need help from able-bodied persons during "Chhath" which involves feats like repeated prostrations (sashtaang dandvat) on the roads leading to the ghats and walking long distances carrying cane baskets (soop) filled with items used in making the offerings. The redemptive powers attributed to "Chhathi Maiya" also found great resonance with men and women whose lives have been ruined because they ended up on the wrong side of the law.
Even in Ara rail, a number of inmates observed Chhath with assistance from jail authorities who have helped the prisoners with supplies of puja material besides making the premises sparkling clean and inscribing the pathways with greetings. Even Bhojpur DM Raj Kumar along with his wife and the SP Pramod Kumar Yadav and his wife observed Chhath.
In the latest development, rooftop Chhath Puja is gaining popularity among the people residing in Bhojpur district as the water in different ponds, canals is dirty and even the river banks are dangerous due to off the cuff digging of sand. Residents of several apartments and even houses have spruced up their rooftops for the pious four-day festival and made all arrangements for comfort of devotees.
According to residents, rooftop Chhath Puja is becoming popular due to long distance of river from home, rising pollution level in water bodies and huge crowd at the ghats. Besides, comfort of open spaces and direct view of rising and setting sun are other reasons, devotees prefer to perform the Chhath rituals on rooftops.
Amid rise in the rooftop festivity, the district administration has also taken note of this. Bhojpur DM directed the police stations to remain watchful on rooftop Chhath celebrations in their areas.
Devotees make small tanks or even stand in inflatable swimming pools having water mixed with Gangajal, and offered 'arghya' to the Sun God. The rooftop ghats are decorated nicely with flowers and decorative lighting where devotees gather for the religious rituals.
Ajay Krishna Agrawal, renowned businessmen of Ara and resident of Karman Tola, said he and his wfe and daughter-in-laws (bahus) have performed Chhath at the rooftop. "Shifting of the ghats far and huge crowd at ghats have forced them to arrange it with more convenience on the rooftop.
They said popularity of this festival could be gauged from the fact that many apartment builders have now started constructing concrete ponds on rooftop as an attractive feature for customers and to enable residents celebrate Chhath collectively. "Fast expansion of the city and rising number of devotees are other causes, people preferring to celebrate it on rooftops as convenient option..
Meanwhile, a devotee Priya Kumari, resident of an apartment at Hari Jee ka Hata, cited small family culture in urban areas as the reason for this new trend. "It is not possible for little children of young devotees like her to walk long way to a ghat," she said, adding rooftop celebration did not cause wastage of time. She further said that being a festival of utmost purity and cleanliness at every step, we observe Chhath at home and it gives us great satisfaction. It is also more convenient for devotees to offer two time 'arghya' to Lord Sun in fasting state even without having water for almost 36 hours."
Though the Bhojpur district administration had banned sale, purchase and use of crackers at chhath ghats and entry of vehicles en-route to the Chhath ghats on November 19, 2023 evening and November 20, 2023 morning, crackers were sold and used at the chhath ghats with impunity just before the police officials and sand laden tractors were seen plying en-route to the Chhath Ghats.
South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) did not play a foul game for the first time this year. People had decorated the areas en-route to Chhath Ghats with decorative lights spending lakhs of rupees that illuminated the entire areas and enabled the Chhath Vratis and their families to celebrate the festival with enthusiasm and that too without any problem.
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