Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is the main festival of people of Bihar, celebrated elaborately in Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP and the Terai regions of Nepal as well as all over Indian and world by migrants of these areas.

The festival is dedicated to Sun God so Chhat Puja is also known as Surya Shasti. It is celebrated on the sixth day after Deepawali, for a period of four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water (Vratta), standing in water for long periods of time, and offering prashad (prayer offerings) and aragh to the setting and rising sun.

The married women flock on the bank of any river or other waterbody and make ritual offerings to Sun God thanking him for sustaining life and seeking prosperity, happiness and peaceful life of their family members as well as the long lives of their husbands. Offerings include cow’s milk, coconut and other fruits.