Chhat Feitival in Mithila,Bihar, India.

Chhath Puja in Mithila (Bihar)

History in brief

Mithila, as described in Hindu Epic Ramayana, was the kingdom of King Janaka (also known as Videha). King Videha was not only a brave king but was also well versed in Vedas and Shashtras like Rishi Maharshi. He was a Karmyogi having no attachment with the luxury of the kingdom.

At present, almost half area of Bihar and few districts of Nepal is known as Mithila region.

Darbhaga is a district of Bihar and is the main centre of Mithila culture and its related activity. In Mithila tradition there are many festivals and fairs celebrated and enjoyed with gaiety, enthusiasm in his own style. Excluding the National festivals the main festivals of Mithila and Bihar is Chhat Puja. The history relates Chhath puja to the period of Mahabharat. It is believed that Karna, the son of Sun God started the rituals of Chhath Puja to Honor Sun God.

Chhath Puja

Chhat Puja is basically, worshipping Sun God on the sixth day of bright half of Hindi month Kartik, generally falls in October – November. It is also called Surya shashthi. The origin of this festival is Mithila and later on it spread ed in rest of Bihar and other states of India. Chhath is considered as thanks and gratitude to Sun God sustaining the life on earth and a request for granting of certain wishes of devotees. In Hindu belief Sun is among an important God and a source of energy.

It is a four days celebration which includes fasting, preparing prasad, rituals and other works. It is a festival in which cleanliness is must and maintained at every stage from beginning to the end.

Day 01 (Nahay Khay celebration)

On this day, the main devotee, or Chhath brati (mostly lady) take a holy dip in the river nearby preferably Ganga,or Kosi. Where there is no river, the devotees used to take bath at home. They bring water of holy river that is used in preparing special offerings. The house and its compound is cleaned properly in all respect. The main devotee or the Chhath brati is called Parvaitin. She is supposed to take meal once, on this day. It is the 4th day of the Hindi month Kartik.

[ Parvaitins bringing water ]

Day 02 (Panchami)

This day is also known as Kharna. Again, the house is cleaned properly. The main devotee observe fasting for the whole day and break the fast after sunset. Worshipping earth Goddess is performed at this time. The offerings prepared today are kheer (made of rice and milk), Puri, Banana. Raw sugar (gur) only is used to prepare any sweet item of the offering. This offering is called Kharna prsadam and distributed among the relatives and friends. The fast of the Chhath brati starts from this time which lasts for 36 hrs. This fast is so tough that even a mouthful water is not allowed to take during fast.

[ Prepairing Kharna Prasaddam ]

Day 03 (sanjhia aragia)

Sanjhia Arag, literally means the evening prayer of Sun God by pouring water in front of the setting Sun. On this 3rd day the whole family member spent their time in preparing prasadam which are the special one. Before preparing prasadam the utensils being used are washed and cleaned properly. A bath before entering the kitchen is must for everyone involved in preparing prasadam. The offering consists of deep fried sweet rolls of ground wheat flour which is called Thekua or khabouni by the locals. All types of fruits available in the market are brought as offering. Pieces of sugarcane and raw coconut is must in Chhath puja.

The prepared Prasadam and all fruits are kept in a type of container made of bamboo material called Soop. In the evening keeping all Soops in a big basket carried to the reservoir or a pond by one of the family member on his head. All the family members, relatives and neighbours with the parvaitins moves to the pond to make offerings to the setting Sun. Chhat songs are also commonly sung by the devotees. These songs reflects the history, culture and mythology of each state in which the ritual is performed.Though now a days the folk songs are replaced by remixed Bollywood songs.

[ Soops of prasadam] 

[ Kosi riuals]

Large numbers of devotees gathers on the bank of the chat ghat to receive blessings from Sun God and Parvaitin. The scene becomes like a carnival. There after they returned to home.

In the night of the third day witnesses a colourful event known as Kosi. A canopy is made from five sugarcane sticks and earthen lamp lighted below the canopy along with a basket full of prasadam. These five stick represents the five basic elements of nature from which the human body is formed. This ritual is specially performed by the family who had recently celebrated the occasion of a child birth or a marriage ceremony. Later on the lighted earthen lamp is carried to the pond in the morning of the fourth day for worshipping of rising Sun God.

[ chhath offerings] 

[ Lalu ji offering Arag ]

Day 04 (Bihania Aragh)

In the early morning of the fourth day, again go to the same place and in the same way for the morning offering. to Sun God The morning offering is called Bihania Aragh. 

The festival is concluded after the Parvaitin break her fast and Prasadam is distributed among the devotees, friends and relatives present at the chhhath Ghat.

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