Hundreds of people of Indian origin from New Jersey and New York flocked to waterfronts in the United States as they celebrated the auspicious festival of Chhath on November 19.
The festival was celebrated by members of the Indian community, who gathered on both November 19 and November 20 for the festivities. Notably, they flocked to the waterfronts to celebrate Chhath Puja at Papaianni Park, Edison, New Jersey. Flower decorations were seen at the park, where women decked in Indian attire carried out the traditional rituals.
In California, USA, several Indians of the Bihari community came together to perform Chhath Puja rituals.
In Bentonville, US, the Bihari community organised a programme to collectively perform Chhath rituals and celebrate the festival.
#GlobalChhath: Dallas, Texas, US
Family members carry daura (bamboo basket), containing traditional offering made to the Lord Bhaskara and Chhathi Maiyaa during #ChhathPuja, as they gather at the #Chhath Ghat in Texas, US. pic.twitter.com/n29ilLDfjO
— Bihar Foundation (@biharfoundation) November 20, 2023
In a vibrant display of religious devotion, hundreds of Indian Americans from New Jersey and New York converged on the serene shores of Papaianni Park in Edison to celebrate Chhath Puja, Bihar’s biggest festival.
#GlobalChhath, NJ, USA: In a vibrant display of religious devotion, hundreds of Indian-Americans from New Jersey and New York converged on the serene shores of Papaianni Park in Edison, New Jersey, to celebrate the revered #ChhathPuja, Bihar's biggest festival.@BiharUsa… pic.twitter.com/bmPb95fQdD
— Bihar Foundation (@biharfoundation) November 20, 2023
By celebrating Chhath Puja, People from Bihar and Purvanchal in Australia continued to be a shining example of the diaspora’s commitment to heritage and culture.
The Chhath Puja is a festival dedicated to the Sun that sees devotees worshipping and making offerings to the setting and rising Sun. On November 20 morning, the fasting devotees would make offerings to the rising Sun and break the fast.
Devotees especially take the fast and worship the Sun for the long lives and well-being of their family members, also praying for their expectations and attempts to come true.
Meanwhile, in India, people were immersed in the spirit of the Chhath Puja festival in Bihar, UP, Delhi, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and many other States. In Bihar, lakhs of men and women across the State paid tributes to the setting Sun on November 19 as part of the celebration of the festival. Chhath is the most popular festival of the State.
During the celebrations, devotees witnessed a gruelling 36-hour fast and stood in waist-deep water. Some chose deep vessels atop roofs to perform this ritual. Whereas many others walked long distances to reach ghats of rivers, lakes or ponds.
Chhath puja concluded in Nepal
The Chhath puja concluded in Nepal, with devotees offering ‘Argha’ to the rising Sun while submerging at the Bagmati River, marking the end of four days of arduous fasting.
“Today we made an offering to the rising sun and gave ‘argha’ by submerging ourselves in the water (the Bagmati River) while waiting for the Sun to rise. We have been on a fast for the last three days. This Chhath is our main festival, which we observe with grandeur and gaiety,” Indu Thakur, a Chhath observer along the Bagmati River, told the media.
Chhath is a festival of benediction to Bhagwan “Surya” (sun) that starts on the day Karthik Shukla Chathurthi and ends in Shukla Saptami according to the lunar calendar. Thekuwa, Khajuri and Kasar, along with verities of dry fruits, fruits and flowers, constitute the basket popularly known as “Dhakri.”
“On the starting day of the festival, we have grains and vegetables, which exclude onions and garlic. The first day is called ‘Nuhaya khuwaya’ (eat after bathe). On the evening of the second day, we have porridge and puri with vegetables, paying attention to Sun and ‘Chhati Maiya’. On the third day, we perform rituals at home and come here on the embankments of water resources to perform the rituals. That day, we don’t drink even a single drop of water or eat any food items. Today is the final day’s morning and we haven’t had anything till now,” Madhuri Gupta, another Chhath observer, told the media.
Chatth, which was especially celebrated by elders or people from Southern regions of Nepal in the past, has now been able to attract the attention of people from other regions and communities.
Often regarded as the festival of purity, goodwill, and faith, some people believe that Chhath Puja also empowers women.
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