Chhath: The Purvanchali Maha Parv – A Festival of Devotion, Unity, and Environmental Consciousness (GS Paper 1, Arts & Culture)
Context
- Chhath, one of the most significant festivals celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and parts of Bengal, is a four-day long celebration dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and his consort, Goddess Usha, also known as Chhathi Maiya.
- This festival, known as the "Purvanchali Maha Parv," holds deep cultural, religious, and environmental significance, with roots stretching back to the ancient Vedic period.
A Festival with Ancient Roots
- Chhath derives its name from the Sanskrit word Shashthi, meaning "sixth," as it is celebrated six days after Diwali, on the sixth day of the month of Kartik.
- The Sun God, worshipped during this festival, is believed to be the giver of life, energy, and vitality.
- Chhath Pooja has its origins in the early Vedic period and is mentioned in the Rig Veda, where sages performed rituals to express gratitude towards the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth.
- The festival is also associated with the great epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
- It is said that Goddess Sita and Lord Rama performed Chhath Pooja in Bihar after returning from their exile, and Kunti, the mother of Karna, also performed this Pooja to seek divine blessings for a son.
- These mythological connections, along with the widespread belief in the festival's power to grant children or heal ailments, have made Chhath a deeply revered tradition, particularly in Northern India.
The Grand Celebration of Chhath Pooja
Chhath is a unique festival with a series of rituals spread over four days, each with its own significance:
- Naha-Khaye (First Day): The festival begins with a purification ritual where devotees take a holy bath to cleanse themselves. The houses are thoroughly cleaned, and a special Satvik prasad (pure food offering), typically consisting of lauki-bhaat (bottle gourd and rice) and daal, is prepared. This meal is consumed by the devotees before the fasting period begins.
- Kharna (Second Day): On this day, families prepare kheer (a sweet dish made with rice, milk, and spices) on an earthen stove. The kheer is consumed after a recitation of sacred texts and prayers, marking the arrival of the divine presence in the household. From this point onward, no noise or disturbances are allowed, as the deities are believed to stay in the house for the next two days.
- Third Day (Aragh): The third day sees devotees traveling to riverbanks or ghats, carrying baskets filled with prasad and fruits. These offerings, including thekua (a traditional sweet), are prepared and placed in bamboo baskets. The devotees, often accompanied by family and friends, offer Aragh (a ritual offering of Gangajal) to the Sun God while standing in water, singing devotional songs. This offering is performed during both sunset and sunrise, with the belief that the Sun God grants blessings in return.
- Final Day (Sragh): On the final day of the Pooja, devotees again visit the ghats before sunrise. After offering prayers to the Sun, milk and Gangajal are offered in a ritual known as Sragh. This marks the end of the long fast, with devotees drinking water and consuming prasad.
Environmental Impact of Chhath
- One of the most remarkable aspects of Chhath Pooja is its focus on environmental conservation.
- The festival emphasizes reverence for nature and encourages practices that maintain ecological balance.
- For example, the rivers and riverbanks where the rituals take place are cleaned by the devotees themselves, and all offerings made during the Pooja are biodegradable.
- The use of natural materials such as bamboo baskets (daura and soop) and earthen stoves (chulhas) for cooking further reduces the environmental impact.
- The festival does not involve idol worship, a key characteristic that differentiates it from many other Hindu rituals.
- By avoiding the use of artificial idols, Chhath Pooja ensures that no pollutants enter the water bodies.
- This environmentally-conscious approach to worship has gained increasing importance in recent years, particularly in a time when sustainable practices are critical to preserving the planet.
- Chhath Pooja also promotes the message that religious practices do not have to harm the environment.
- It teaches that devotion can be expressed through simple, natural rituals that honor the Earth and its resources.
- This emphasis on sustainability is particularly timely, as environmental degradation and pollution are urgent concerns worldwide.
Chhath Pooja as a Social and Cultural Bond
- Chhath Pooja is not only a religious observance but also a celebration of unity and harmony.
- The festival is deeply inclusive, transcending caste, creed, and class.
- Regardless of their background, all devotees come together at the ghats to offer prayers, reinforcing the idea that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Sun God.
- The festival also fosters a sense of community, as families, friends, and neighbors unite to support the devotee in performing the rituals.
- The sight of large groups of people coming together in a spirit of collective devotion is one of the most heartwarming aspects of Chhath.
- It reflects the values of cooperation, shared responsibility, and collective worship.
- While Chhath Pooja was traditionally celebrated in specific regions, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Bengal, it has now gained national and even international recognition.
- Migrants from these regions have carried the festival to various parts of India and abroad, further increasing its reach and popularity.
Gender-Neutral Practices in Chhath
- Traditionally, Chhath Pooja has been predominantly performed by women, but there has been a growing trend of male participation in recent years.
- The festival is inherently gender-neutral in its approach, as it involves the participation of the entire family.
- In the absence of women, men can also take on the responsibility of performing the Pooja, especially if the female members of the family are unavailable.
- Additionally, men often assist by carrying the heavy baskets to the ghats and helping to clean the paths for the devotee to walk.
- This inclusive nature of Chhath Pooja reflects a broader cultural trend where religious practices are becoming more gender-neutral, with both men and women playing equal roles in the celebration of the festival.
The Politics of Chhath
- While Chhath Pooja is primarily a spiritual and cultural event, it has, like many other festivals, become a subject of political discourse in recent years.
- In some cases, political parties have attempted to leverage the festival for electoral gains, especially in regions where Chhath holds significant sway.
- A notable instance occurred in Delhi when the government issued orders restricting the observance of Chhath Pooja on the banks of the Yamuna due to pollution concerns, leading to debates over religious practices and environmental responsibility.
- Despite such challenges, Chhath remains largely untouched by political motives, with devotees prioritizing the sanctity of the ritual over any political influence.
Conclusion
- Chhath Pooja is much more than a religious observance.
- It is a festival that highlights the importance of nature, fosters social harmony, and promotes simple yet meaningful rituals that connect the devotee with the divine.
- Its growing popularity, both within India and globally, speaks to its universal appeal and the enduring relevance of its message of environmentalism, unity, and devotion.
- In an era where environmental sustainability and social inclusivity are increasingly important, Chhath offers valuable lessons on how to celebrate and worship without harming the planet.
- Through its rituals, Chhath Pooja reminds us that devotion need not come at the cost of the environment, and that true celebration lies in bringing people together in reverence, love, and respect for all life forms.
