Bihar and Chhath

To us festivals are not like festivals they are like carnivals which are enjoyed by those also who have no connection with that festival. We have grown up watching Holi, Dusherra and Diwali as carnivals. Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated by only Marathis, Durga Puja by Bengalis and Dandi Garba was played only by Gujratis. Onam and Pongal were South Indian festivals only. Today in big cities this is not the picture. Even if all the rituals can't be completed but everyone used to participate in the carnival of festivals of various regions. Very soon a new name is going to be added in the list of festivals celebrated in big cities which the Chhath Festival which stands for the identity of Bihar. The motto behind this festival is the prayer for well being of the  family. Gautam Budhha, Mahavira, Valmiki, Ashoka, Aryabhatta, Chanakya, Guru Govind Singh, Nalanda University and the list goes on. These are the contibution to the nation and to the world by Bihar  which makes us feel proud but nowadays when Bihar is refered then they are never discussed. The discussion always happens which is concerned with Bihar's Politicians; even though of their presence the Bihari population have to go to outside Bihar leaving their family and home in search of jobs. Now the discussions about Bihar are shifting to Chhath Festival which is the truly represents this state. Chhath Festival in all aspects is an alldifferent festival. It is an arduous observance, requiring the worshipers to fast without water for around 36 hours continuously. The country which runs with the rise of the Sun also celebrates Chhath in which setting Sun is also worshipped in which water and milk are offered as oblation to the Sun which is considered as a visible God.

Chhath is among those few festivals which still haven't been changed by the market till date. Six days after Diwali which has been now completely metamorphosed by market and companies,  the Chhath Festival comes which still has the ethinic smell of the east and has remained safe from corporate colorization. During this festival a basket which is called Daura, is made ready which contains one or more Sup (household item made from bamboo for winnowing) which contains fruits and prasad (edible offerings) among which the most important is sugarcane, guava, a big lemon which is locally called Gagar. The sugarcane is erected in the soil and is decorated with glowing lamps from all side. One day the setting sun is worshipped in which water is offered (Aragh) and the next day the rising sun is worshipped in which milk is offered . The new changes to Chhath is may be the replacement of Sharda Sinha songs to new singers but apart from that everything is intact.
Spreaded all across the nation for bread and butter, the Bihari Population tries to reach their native home at the time of Chhath and if they are not able to reach Bihar they create a small Bihar whereever they are present. They clean river banks and ponds bringing back the real colour and ambience to the stagnant and flowing water bodies. Chhath is not only an annual festival of Bihar but it is also an ideal exemplar of the delicate but strongly bonded relationship of Bihari population and the Bihar state. This relationship tells that if the masses would have got jobs at home then why would have they left their homes, why would they have been bearing the bad-mouth of fanatics like Raj Thakrey, why would they have been bearing the insults when they attend entrance exams for jobs at other states.

But when Bihari poiliticians weren't able to provide the sources of income then the masses had to leave their home. Their condition is exactly like those Indian who are living for years in abroad for their bread but still have their heart right in the motherland which still cries for the India. The important thing that comes out is that culture also flows together with the rivers carrying the dust and soil of the society with the alterations of time. This culture has also flown with the rivers all across the nation and is sparkling with the gleaming lamps of Chhath. Also a very significant message is conveyed that civilization travels and so are the memories because they remains alive by this and take constant rebirths in different places. In Bihar where a lot of disorder and destruction has been done in past few decades, the festival of Chhath is trying to integrate it strongly as well as gradually bridging it with newer connections as well.


Before I end this entry; one special sweet i.e. made in this festival is Thekua. I can bet it's the Indian competition to the American Cookies and I returned from home with a big jar of that.