All you need to know about Bihar’s Chhath Puja 

In the heartland of Bihar, Chhath Puja is not just a festival but a deep emotion. This celebration holds a deep significance for the people of Bihar, celebrated with immense devotion and reverence. Deeply rooted in the rural culture of the state, this festival embraces simplicity and the timeless bond between humans and nature.

The festival, dedicated to the Surya Dev (Sun god) and Chhathi maiya (mother nature/ sister of the Sun god), showcases Bihar’s rich traditions, from its agrarian roots to its vibrant community spirit. Chhath Puja brings together families, communities and entire villages in a collective act of devotion and gratitude for the blessings of life, health, fertility and prosperity.

A unique festival of nature and community

Chhath Puja, which involves strict spiritual observance over four days, is celebrated twice a year on the sixth day of the Chaitra and Kartik months of the Hindu calendar (falling in March-April and  October-November, respectively). Devotees worship the setting sun as well as the rising sun, which symbolises life’s balance and renewal.

On the first day, known as Nahay Khay, the fasting devotees bathe in rivers or water bodies, with many bringing the river water back to their homes for special rituals. 

The second day, known as Kharna or Lohanda, involves a day-long fast, broken in the evening after worshipping mother earth with offerings of kheer (rice pudding) and fruits shared with family, friends and the community members. Then the devotees observe a 36-hour fast without food and water.

The third day is devoted to the preparation of the prasad, which involves sweets such as thekua and kasar (rice laddus) for the Sandhya Arghya (evening offering). Devotees gather at riverbanks in large numbers, and folk songs fill the air.

On the fourth and final day, families return to the river bank before sunrise to make offerings to the rising sun, known as Usha Arghya. With this ritual, devotees break their fast, and prasad is shared with others, symbolising a community spirit that bridges social differences.

“Chhath Puja is a very difficult but great festival. Women fast for the wellbeing and longevity of their children and family members,” remarked Anju Devi, 45, a homemaker from Bara in Gaya, who is observing a fast herself this year. 

Also read: Chhath Puja: How Muslim women contribute in Hindu festivities in Bihar

Rani Devi, a cook who lives in New Delhi’s Hauz Rani village, belongs to a village in Bettiah, Bihar. She notes that while she loves the community spirit of the festival, and how it is celebrated in her native place, she won’t be able to attend the festivities back home. So she plans to celebrate the festival in Delhi. 

A celebration of simplicity, purity and richness of nature

The rituals in Chhath Puja revolve around the worship of natural elements — especially the sun and rivers — making the festival a reflection of the rural way of life. Farmers, who rely on the sun for their crops, express gratitude by offering freshly harvested produce — sugarcane, rice and seasonal fruits like bananas and coconuts. 

Moreover, Chhath Puja emphasises simplicity, with the offerings and rituals being eco-friendly. Bamboo baskets like soop and daura, handwoven by local artisans, are used to carry the offerings, while homes are cleaned and decorated with rangoli designs using natural materials. 

“As a proud Bihari, Chhath Puja holds a profound significance in my life. It’s more than a festival – it’s an enduring emotion that calls me home no matter where I am,” said Amritanshu Raj, 22, from Jandaha, Vaishali. “The 36-hour nirjala fast, abstaining from food or water, and the worship of nature – the sun, rivers and all of creation – represent the true spirit of Chhath,” added the student of journalism at DSJ (Delhi School of Journalism), Delhi University.  

Bridging the gap between rich and poor

One of the most remarkable aspects of Chhath Puja is how it bridges the gap between the rich and the poor. Social distinctions fade as everyone — regardless of wealth or status — stands together at the water’s edge, offering prayers to the Sun god. This spirit of togetherness reinforces the idea that under the sun’s gaze, everyone is equal.

Songs and folklore: Keeping traditions alive

Chhath Puja is incomplete without the traditional songs that echo through the villages during the celebrations. Known as ’chhath geet’, these songs, sung in the local Bhojpuri and Maithili dialects, are passed down through generations. They tell stories from mythology, praise the Sun god, and invoke the blessings of Chhathi maiya.

One of the Bhojpuri songs goes:

‘’Kaach hi bas ke bahangiya, bahangi lachkat jaaye ,

Hoi na balam ji kahariya, bahangi ghaat pahuchaaye.’’

“The delicate basket made of green bamboo sways as it moves,

My beloved, please become the carrier and take it to the riverbank.”

The melodies, often accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional drums, provide a backdrop to the collective rituals.

As Chhath Puja continues to evolve, it remains deeply rooted in Bihar’s rural ethos. Younger generations, though influenced by changing times, actively participate in the festival. 

Also read: Countryside celebrations to attend this November

The lead image on top shows women offering prayers on the occasion of Chhath Puja in Bihar. (Photo from Shutterstock) 

Vishal Kumar is an administrative officer at Village Square.