Chhath: Beyond fasting and prayers

Dedicated to Sun God and his wife Usha, Chhathi Maiya, Chhath, an ancient Hindu Vedic festival observed in India and

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Book Review| If you want to know about Chhath, read the book by Jivesh Jha

Chhatha is a unique Hindu Vedic festival celebrated in India and Nepal since ancient times. It spans four days and

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Book Review| If you want to know about Chhath, read the book by Jivesh Jha

Jivesh Jha’s “Beneath the Sun: Equality for Everyone, The Spirit of Chhath Festival” provides a concise introduction to the Chhath festival, and its multi-dimensional significance.

Chhatha is a unique Hindu Vedic festival celebrated in India and Nepal since ancient times. It spans four days and is dedicated to the Sun God and his wife Usha, also known as Chhathi Maiya.

The devotees observe rigorous fasting and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. It is believed that proximity to water connects devotees with the divine, and the benevolent Sun God blesses their families.

In this context, Jivesh Jha’s “Beneath the Sun: Equality for Everyone, The Spirit of Chhath Festival” published in October, 2024 provides a concise introduction to the Chhath festival, and its multi-dimensional significance. The author presents a vivid picture about the rituals and preparations, cleanliness of waters, which is the essential part of the festivity, and the use of agro-based products, which ultimately proves that the festival is agriculture and environment-friendly in nature.  

The book brings together a collection of six chapters which provide a critical investigation into Chhath festival, rituals associated with it and its significance. A short foreword by renowned cultural expert and laureate Dhirendra Premarshi, former Council Member, Nepal Academy of Music and Drama, sets the tone for the discussion on the festival: “By incorporating various agricultural products, Chhath aims to promote biodiversity and stands as one of Mithila’s most significant welfare-oriented festivals, emphasizing scientific values and humanity. Young scholar Jivesh Jha has been passionately writing on literature and socio-cultural issues, particularly focusing on Mithila’s literary and cultural heritage for over a decade. His works predominantly in English contribute to globalizing Mithila’s rich cultural heritages.”

In the first chapter, Jha, who is a Section officer in Court, introduces Chhath, discussing its celebration, timing, and the deity honored during the festival. He writes that the Chhath Puja is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Nepal, typically beginning six days after Diwali, the festival of lights. The word “Chhath” signifies six, as it is celebrated on the sixth day of the month of Kartika. However, in ancient Prakrit, “Chhath” means sixth, indicating that this festival is celebrated twice annually on the sixth lunar day of the Chaitra and Kartik months of the Hindu calendar.

The second chapter explores references to Chhath in Hindu scriptures.  In this context, the author cites Ramayana and Mahabharata. After returning from a 14-year exile, Lord Rama and Mata Janaki (Sita) observed a fast in the honour of ‘Surya Dev’ (Sun God) and broke it only in the dawn next day. In Mahabharata, Karna, son of Surya Dev and Kunti , offered prayer by standing in waters and distributed Prasad among the devotees, Rishis and others.

The third chapter details the rituals and preparations involved, such as setting up the Ghat, cleaning water bodies, observing rigorous fasting for over 36 hours, singing folk songs, and offering prayers to the setting and rising sun while standing in water.

Similarly, the fourth chapter examines the values associated with the festival, including its messages on environmental conservation, equality, fraternity, socialism, the ultimate goals of rituals, and its broader impact on humanity. The fifth chapter focuses on the economic aspects, highlighting how artisans making pottery and bamboo baskets, as well as farmers and vendors, earn significant income by selling their goods and services during Chhath. Finally, the book concludes with a meaningful summary.

If there is one reason to read Jha’s timely exposition it is his endeavours to give clarities to the Chhath festival which seeks to unite people in fight against water pollution, and inequality. As the festival does not demand chanting of Sanksrit Mantra and necessity of male Pundits, it gives a message that every devotee is a Pundit in his/her own and everyone is equal during the festival celebration. It promotes equality, social solidarity and harmony. At the Ghats (banks of rivers and ponds), devotees from every walk of life observe the festivity without any distinction. This is the beauty of this festival.

The author believes that this is the festival of socialism, equality and fraternity. He does not only discuss festival’s cultural aspects but also devotes a good deal of section for rituals and melodious songs which amplify the uniqueness of the festivity. His book should be a mandatory reading for the cultural experts, lawyers, judges, teachers and students of various streams, including that of social sciences and law.

Bishnu Chandra Nepali is a Section officer at Rajbiraj High Court.