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Continuing a sacred tradition that has existed since time immemorial, devotees across regions gathered to pay obeisance to the Sun — it was Chhath Puja.

Deeply cherished in the hearts of the people of Purvanchal, Chhath Puja is observed each year in Bihar, parts of West Bengal, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and even Nepal.

This four-day festival is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Devotees undertake a rigorous fast and make offerings to Usha and Pratyusha, the deities symbolizing the light of the rising and setting sun, respectively. These offerings are made while standing in a river, pond, or other water bodies — an act symbolizing purity and devotion.

The principal rituals of Chhath begin on the sixth day of Kartik Shukla Paksha, marking the waxing phase of the moon in the Hindu month of Kartik.

Various beliefs surround the origins of this sacred festival. Some consider it a continuation of ancient nature worship, as even the Rig Veda prescribes rituals for the veneration of the Sun References to Sun worship appear in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is believed that after returning to Ayodhya from Lanka, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita observed a fast and offered prayers to the Sun God.

Similarly, during the Pandavas’ exile, Draupadi, upon the advice of Sage Dhaumya, prayed to the Sun when she had nothing to offer her guests. Her prayers were fulfilled. In the same epic, Karna, the son of Surya, is said to have performed grand worship to honour his divine father.

Chhath Puja is observed six days after Diwali, though some also celebrate it during the month of Chaitra, known as Chaiti Chhath.

According to belief, Chhath Maiya, or Mother Chhathi, is the sister of the Sun God. She is said to be the daughter of Kashyap and Aditi. In Tamil Nadu, a similar observance during this period is known as Skanda Sasthi.

The first day of Chhath is called Naha Kha, during which devotees take a holy bath in a river or pond before consuming a simple meal, often including pumpkin curry.

The second day, known as Kharna, involves preparing roti and kheer as offerings. Devotees eat this meal in the evening before beginning a 36-hour fast — during which even water is not consumed.

On the third day, devotees gather at water bodies beautifully decorated with diyas and sugarcane stalks. Cane baskets filled with seasonal fruits such as sweet potatoes, water chestnuts, pomelos, and bananas, along with earthen lamps, are offered to the setting sun. The ritual is repeated at dawn the following day to worship the rising sun.

Though caste divisions still exist in parts of Purvanchal, Chhath transcends caste and class. Anyone, irrespective of social back-ground, may participate. There are no priests involved — devotees directly offer prayers to a visible deity, the Sun God himself. Before the Sun, everyone is equal. That is the eternal message of Chhath..