Dedicated to Sun God and his wife Usha, Chhathi Maiya, Chhath, an ancient Hindu Vedic festival observed in India and Nepal, is one of the unique festivals that embodies values for equality, sustainability, cleanliness and social harmony.
The festival finds a prominent place in both Ramayana and Mahabharata. The holly text of Ramayana mentions that the goddess Sita had observed Surya Shashthi puja on the day Ramrajya was established, while in Mahabharata, it’s been mentioned that the Chhath puja was celebrated by Kunti, mother of Pandavas, after getting escaped from Lakshagriha, which was torched by Kauravas to assassinate Pandavas.
There is a belief that the devotees who stand in waters to offer prayer to sun god—in both Sandhya Arghya (evening prayer) and Usha Arghya (morning prayers)—get rid of leprosy and other skin diseases due to the blessings of Chhathi Mata.
Interestingly, this festival is not gender specific. It neither requires recitation of Sanskrit mantras, nor male Pundits. The devotees take holy bath in ponds or rivers and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. A devote, who extends prayers to the setting and rising sun, takes a rigorous fast of more than 36 hours long without taking even a single drop of water.
This festival promotes equality, fraternity and socialism as every devotee, without any distinctions, takes dips together and offers prayer to Sun god standing in the waters. The festival is unique in a sense that it ensures family gatherings. Also, people from different walks of life come at the banks of the river or ponds to celebrate the festival. There is no distinction among the devotees on the grounds of caste, ethnicity, gender, economy or political affiliation.
The rituals, focusing on the worship of the Sun God and ponds or rivers like the Ganga, recognize their crucial role in sustaining life and agricultural fertility.
In fact, it’s a post-harvest celebration where devotees worship the Sun God not for personal gain but for societal benefits. They seek blessings so that the Sun God ensures abundant agricultural produce, preventing poverty and malnutrition in society.
The festival’s values emphasize public interest over personal interest. It’s a festival promoting public welfare, social harmony and egalitarianism.
The devotees believe that their prayers reach and are addressed by the gods when they offer them standing in pure waters. They feel their devotion is incomplete unless they pray while standing in clean water. The link between Chhath festival and cleanliness extends beyond ritualistic practices to societal norms and values. Cleanliness is not only encouraged for personal well-being but also as a mark of respect for others and the environment. This ethos is reflected while preparing offering food (‘Prasad’) to deity and then consuming it as a divine blessing, underscoring the sanctity of cleanliness in all aspects of life.
We, as devotees, not only celebrate our rich cultural heritage but also reaffirm our commitment to purity, prosperity, and spiritual growth (by observing the strict rituals, like cleanliness of waters, of Chhath festival).
As the festival demands a pollution free soil and water, it aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The offerings which include a pair of coconut, turmeric roots, green vegetables that are grown under soil such as radishes, sweet potato are kept in a “Sup” (winnow) made up of sticks of bamboo. Along with this, the offerings are also kept in potteries. The bamboo baskets are filled with Prasad, like Thakuwa, Bhushwa, Pirukiya, and Khajuriya made from rice and wheat flour.
In the festivity, every devotee is considered to be equal and this way, it promotes gender equality, which is also one of the SDGs. There is use of organic and traditional fruits and cereals in preparing Prasad of Chhath. Its offerings are organic foods which endeavours to ensure good health and well-being, which is also one of the SDGs under Goal Number-3. The festival does not require recitation of Sanskrit Mantra or Pundits. The women of our part of the world take central position in the entire festivity. However, men are not barred to observe fast and festivity. This way, it empowers women, which is also one of goals of SDGs. This eco-friendly festival strictly prohibits the use of non-biodegradable materials.
The rigorous fast lasting more than 36 hours undertaken by women devotees demonstrates their prioritization of their sons, daughters, husbands, and other family members, highlighting their deep familial devotion.
The festival advocates for equality, sustainability, social harmony and inclusivity. Its high time we acknowledge the values of Chhath in daily lives and act against environmental pollution, discrimination, and unhygienic food products.
Jivesh Jha’s most recent book “Beneath the Sun: Equality for Everyone, The Spirit of Chhath Festival” was published in October.
[Related: Book Review| If you want to know about Chhath, read the book by Jivesh Jha]
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