Chhath Puja: A Celebration of Devotion to the Sun

Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival that celebrates the Sun God, Surya, and his consort, Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Usha). This deeply revered festival is primarily celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar(Mithila), Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and in Nepal, but has also spread globally with the Indian diaspora. Chhath Puja spans four days and is known for its rigorous rituals, fasting, and dedication to honoring the life-sustaining power of the sun.

Significance of Chhath Puja

Surya, the Sun God, is revered in Chhath Puja as the source of life and wellbeing. He is believed to provide health, healing, energy, and prosperity. Observing Chhath Puja is a way for devotees to express gratitude for the sun’s essential warmth and light. The festival also honours Chhathi Maiya, a protective mother figure associated with children’s health and longevity. Together, these deities symbolize harmony, balance, and the nurturing power of nature, which is celebrated throughout the festival.

The Four Days of Chhath Puja

Each day of Chhath Puja has distinct rituals that represent a journey of purification, devotion, and gratitude.

1. Nahay Khay (First Day):

The festival begins with “Nahay Khay,” a day of purification. Devotees cleanse their homes and prepare a simple, vegetarian meal, traditionally including rice, dal, and bottle gourd (laukee). This meal, prepared without onions or garlic, represents purity and simplicity and marks the start of the spiritual journey.

2. Kharna (Second Day):

On the second day, “Kharna,” devotees fast from sunrise to sunset without water. In the evening, they break their fast with prasad, a traditional offering of kheer (a sweet rice pudding with jaggery), chapatis, banana and sweets. Following this meal, devotees embark on a challenging 36-hour fast without water, a display of dedication and self-discipline.

3. Sandhya Arghya (Third Day):

The third day is the most important, as devotees offer prayers to the setting sun in a ritual called “Sandhya Arghya.” People gather along riverbanks, ponds, or other water bodies with bamboo baskets filled with offerings like prasad and fruits. Standing in water, they present their prayers and offerings to the Sun God as he sets. This day brings families and communities together in a vibrant, spiritual gathering filled with traditional songs and chants, creating a powerful communal atmosphere.

Chhath puja

4. Usha Arghya (Fourth Day):

The festival concludes with “Usha Arghya,” the morning offering to the rising sun. Devotees once again gather by water before dawn, symbolizing renewal and gratitude. After offering prayers to the Sun God, devotees break their fast and share prasad with family and friends, marking the end of the festival.

Traditional Offerings 

Offerings during Chhath Puja include Thekua (a baked wheat cookie), Bhusba (a laddu made with rice flour and jaggery), fruits, and other sweets, all made without onions or garlic. The materials used in rituals are often natural, such as bamboo baskets and clay lamps, reflecting harmony with nature. This eco-friendly approach embodies the festival’s values of respect for the environment and sustainability.

Spiritual and Cultural Significance

Chhath Puja holds a unique place among Hindu festivals because of its rigorous fasting, simplicity, and connection to nature. The festival fosters a strong sense of community, as people gather at rivers or lakes to pray, sing folk songs, and celebrate. The simplicity of the rituals encourages gratitude, purification, and self-discipline, helping devotees reconnect with nature and their spiritual beliefs.

In recent years, Chhath Puja has expanded beyond its regional boundaries, with celebrations now taking place in urban areas and among the Indian diaspora worldwide. Temporary ghats (banks) are set up in cities to allow people to perform rituals, and the festival is increasingly observed in other Indian states.

Chhath Puja is a profound celebration of faith, humility, and respect for the forces of nature. Through its strict observance and simplicity, this festival reminds devotees of the importance of gratitude, self-discipline, and respect for the environment. Devotees seek blessings, good health, and prosperity, coming together in a celebration that bridges generations and traditions, reinforcing the timeless connection between humanity and the cosmos.

Chhath puja in Mithila Painting

Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dooj is a cherished Hindu festival celebrated across India, with unique regional customs. In Mithila, it is observed two days after Diwali, while traditionally, it falls on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. On this occasion, sisters prepare a special seat for their brothers using rice flour. Once the brother is seated, the sister applies a sacred tika on his forehead, made with vermillion, yogurt, and rice, symbolizing her prayers for his well-being and prosperity.

Bhai Dooj

Next, the sister places an ash gourd flower (kumhar/petha), betel leaves, betel nuts, soaked green gram (mung beans), makhana, and coins in her brother’s palms, then pours water over them while chanting sacred mantras. During the pooja, she recites the mantra: “Ganga puje Yamuna ko, Yami puje Yamraj ko, Subhadra puje Krishna ko, Ganga Yamuna neer bahe mere bhai ki aayu badhe,” which means, "Just as Ganga worships Yamuna, Yami worships Yamraj, and Subhadra worships Krishna, may the waters of the Ganga and Yamuna flow, and may my brother's life increase." She then gives him some green gram and sweets to eat as a blessing. Following this, she ties a kalawa (sacred thread) on his wrist, performs an aarti, and the ceremony concludes with the exchange of gifts and seeking blessings from the elders.

Bhai Dooj

The festival symbolizes a brother's promise to protect his sister from any harm, while the sister offers prayers for her brother's well-being and prosperity.

Diwali

 

Diwali Rangoli 

Diwali, also called Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm across India and around the world. It represents the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The festival lasts for five days, starting with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali), the main Diwali celebration on the third day, Govardhan Puja, and concluding with Bhai Dooj. Diwali commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana.

According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali falls on the 15th day of Kartik, the darkest night of the year, known as Amavasya. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 31. As per the Maithil Panchang, Choti Deepawali and Lakshmi Puja will take place on the same day.

Shri Ram Darbar

Diwali holds profound cultural and spiritual significance, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. In Hindu mythology, it marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya, the darkest night of the year, it is believed that the people of Ayodhya lit countless diyas to welcome Lord Rama, Mata Sita, Lord Lakshman, and Hanuman after their 14 years of exile. This tradition of lighting lamps continues today as a symbol of joy, hope, and the triumph of good over evil.

Lord Ganesha

On this day, homes, temples, and streets are lit up with oil lamps (diyas) and vibrant lights. Women decorate their homes and doorways with colorful rangoli, using intricate designs made from colored powders or flowers. Families gather to perform prayers (pujas) to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, seeking blessings for health, wealth, and happiness. Fireworks illuminate the night sky, while people exchange sweets, gifts, and festive greetings.

Diwali Rangoli Design

Diwali is a time for self-reflection and renewing relationships, fostering love and unity. Though rooted in religious traditions, the festival has grown into a cultural celebration that transcends communities, bringing people together in joy and harmony. It signifies new beginnings and the triumph of positive forces in life, making it a time of hope and togetherness for all.

Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is a one-day festival observed annually by Hindu married women, who fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for their husbands' well-being and longevity. Unmarried women also take a part of this festival hoping to find their ideal life partner. The festival is celebrated on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, usually falling in mid to late October. It is popular in northern Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Women observe a strict 'Nirjala' fast, refraining from both food and water. The day begins at dawn with Sargi, a special pre-dawn meal prepared by mothers-in-law (Saas) for their Daughter-in-Law (Bahu) consisting of vermicelli, sweets, dry fruits. Mother-in-law give some symbols of marital status like toe rings, bangles, and vermillion with lots of blessing. Women also adorn their hands with henna. n Hindu mythology, Mahavar (also known as Alata) is considered one of the sixteen traditional adornments (Solah Shringar) that enhance a woman's beauty. On the day of Karwa Chauth, women especially apply it on their feet.

In the evening, they dress in festive attire, gather with neighbors, and pray to Goddess Gauri for a happy and long married life. Thalis are exchanged, songs are sung, and blessings are given younger women for a happily married life and prosperity. 

The festival is linked to several mythological stories. One popular tale is of Savitri, who, through her devotion, brought her husband Satyavan back from death. Another is of Veervati, who mistakenly broke her fast early, leading to her husband's death. She prayed for a year, and the Gods, moved by her devotion, restored his life. 

At moonrise, women perform rituals, using a Chalni (sieve) to view the moon and their husbands, breaking their fast with the first sip of water or bite of food offered by their husbands. 

Karwa Chauth is a celebration of love, faith, and devotion, strengthening marital bonds through prayer and tradition.

Mithila Fish Painting

 

Fish

Mithila Fish Painting, a style within Madhubani art from Bihar's Mithila region, is renowned for its vibrant depiction of nature, mythology, and everyday life. The fish motif is central, symbolizing fertility, prosperity, and good luck, deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual beliefs of the region. Initially practiced by women to decorate walls during weddings and festivals, this art form has transitioned to paper, canvas, and cloth, gaining national and international recognition.

The fish in Mithila paintings represents life’s vitality, abundance, and positive energy. These paintings are known for their vibrant colors, derived from natural sources like flowers, leaves, and turmeric, and their intricate patterns, often filling the entire canvas with geometric designs, nature elements, and stylized figures. The stylization creates harmony and balance, a key theme in Madhubani art.

Key features include:

• Vibrant colors: Bright, natural pigments from flowers, leaves, and spices.
• Intricate patterns: Complex designs with geometric shapes, animals, and nature elements.
• Stylized figures: Simplified forms creating harmony, often depicting everyday life.
• Symbolized: Mithila Fish Painting symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and good fortune, representing life's vitality and abundance. The fish motif embodies the hope for positive energy, wealth, and fruitful outcomes in Mithila culture.

Traditionally, Mithila artists use eco-friendly materials and tools such as twigs, fingers, and bamboo sticks, with natural dyes like indigo and henna. Though once confined to rural homes, Mithila Fish Painting has evolved into a celebrated folk art, featured in modern decor and galleries worldwide. Its rich symbolism and cultural value continue to represent the vitality and traditions of the Mithila region.

Fish