The Sacred Festival (पावन महापर्व)
Chhath Puja is perhaps the most iconic festival of Mithila, celebrated with unparalleled devotion and purity. This ancient Vedic festival is dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Goddess Usha).
The Four-Day Journey (चारि दिवसीय अनुष्ठान)
Day 1: नहाय-खाय (Nahay Khay)
Devotees take a holy dip in rivers and prepare a simple, sattvic meal (कद्दू-भाति). The house is thoroughly cleaned.
Day 2: खरना (Kharna)
A day-long fast culminates in the evening with prasad of kheer (गुड़ केर खीर) and roti. After this, the 36-hour fast begins.
Day 3: संझा अरघ (Sandhya Arghya)
Devotees stand in water bodies, offering arghya to the setting sun. The riverbanks come alive with songs of Sharda Sinha.
Day 4: भोरक अरघ (Bhorak Arghya)
Before dawn, devotees return to the water to offer arghya to the rising sun. The fast is broken with prasad.
Eco-Friendly Worship
What makes Chhath truly unique is its environmental consciousness. No idols are worshipped—only the sun and nature itself. All offerings are biodegradable: fruits, thekua (traditional sweet), rice laddoos, and seasonal vegetables arranged in bamboo baskets called "daura." The ritual emphasizes purity, simplicity, and harmony with nature.
Modern Global Celebrations
Today, Chhath Puja transcends geographical boundaries. From the ghats of Patna and Janakpur to parks in New York and London, the Mithila diaspora recreates this sacred tradition. Swimming pools, lakes, and even bathtubs serve as makeshift ghats, proving that devotion knows no borders.
The festival has also gained recognition as a symbol of women's strength—predominantly observed by women (though men participate too), it showcases incredible physical and spiritual endurance through the rigorous fasting and rituals.
The Spiritual Significance
Chhath Puja is more than a festival—it's a meditation on gratitude, discipline, and the interconnectedness of all life. By worshipping the sun, devotees acknowledge the source of all energy and life on Earth. The rigorous fasting purifies the body and mind, while the communal nature of the celebration strengthens social bonds.