Conserving cultural heritage and passing them onto our descendants implies not only safeguarding cultural values but also securing the future as well. Festivals are an integral part of our intangible cultural heritage; since the evolution of social life people celebrated festivals shaped by their cultural beliefs to express emotions. Chhath is one of such festival where we find amalgamation of science and culture to express gratitude towards nature.
Chhath puja is a Vedic festival dedicated to lord Surya and her sister Chhathi maiya. The festival is celebrated with great zeal in the regions of Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India as well. As per Vikram Samvat calendar, it is celebrated on the 6th day of Kartik month from which the name Chhath is derived. People worship Sun, the god of light, life and energy and his consorts Usha and Pratiyusha, goddesses of dawn and dusk to ensure longevity and prosperity of family members and loved ones. Itis celebrated twice a year, Chaitra Chhath, celebrated in the month of Chaitra and Kartik Chhath. According to ancient scriptures, there are many episodes and dialogues of celebration of Chhath in epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Chhath celebration is divided in 4 stages beginning from Chaturthi to Saptami of Shukla paksha of Kartik month. Devotees maintain ascetic life throughout the festival. Devotees are called Vrati and only a married woman can perform the rituals. First day of the festival is Naha-Kha, where devotees bathe before devouring any meal. Second day is called Kharna wherein the devotees fast without drinking water and prepare prashad (Kheer in jaggary, Roti and banana) at night. The Vrati eats prashad and drinks water the next morning before sunrise. Shefasts for the next
36 hours without even consuming water. The third day is Chhath when the Vratis offer Sandhya Argya to setting sun while standing in river. In the evening they make a small platform at riverbank and make a canopy of five sugarcanes and a light a diya. The sugarcanes signify the five elements of human body and diya signifies life. The last day is Paran, when Vratis offer Surya Argya to rising sun and drinks cow’s raw milk to break her fast.
The festival of Chhath showcases relation of man with nature in its truest form. The traditions behind this holy commemoration are based on simple yet purposeful scientific knowledge such as cleanliness of mental space and detoxification of body as the ritual goes on. In a transforming society, mechanism of festival is changing as per convenience of devotee but the belief remains intact. In metropolitan cities devotees offer Surya Argya in pools,and in tubs on the terrace. Even in present busy lifestyle where personal ambitions are considered ahead of community, Chhath acts as a bonding event.