Chhattisgarh News: Chhath, the great festival of folk faith, was not limited only to Bihar or Purvanchal. The land of Chhattisgarh is now becoming a new identity of the purity and grandeur of this festival. Here Chhath Puja is not just a religious ritual, but has become a ‘Mahakumbh of cultural unity’.
This time, when this festival of Surya worship will begin, a unique scene will be seen in the entire Chhattisgarh – the confluence of the cultures of Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
The biggest reason: The ‘Vishal Ghat’ of Bilaspur, which is unmatched in Asia!
When there is talk of Chhath Ghats, everyone’s eyes are fixed on Bilaspur. The permanent Chhath Ghat built on the banks of river Arpa is no less than a wonder.
This ghat is not only huge, but it is also built with ‘permanent structure’. While temporary ghats are built at other places, this ghat of Bilaspur is fully prepared to bear the burden of lakhs of devotees every year, which gives it the status of one of the largest and best organized ghats of Asia.
The local administration makes such elaborate arrangements of concrete platforms, lighting and security for this influx of faith that it feels like a national festival.
Confluence of emotions: This festival, which connects hearts!
The soul of Chhath festival in Chhattisgarh resides in its socio-cultural coordination. A large number of migrant Purvanchali communities (Bihari, Jharkhandi) reside in the state, who follow their traditions with full devotion.
Picture of unity: Here on the ghats you will see that amazing sight, when the people of Purvanchal will be singing the songs of their ‘Chhathi Maiya’, and along with them the natives of Chhattisgarh will also be standing with folded hands in preparation to offer Arghya to the Sun.
Changing tradition: Influenced by the sanctity of Chhath Puja and love for nature (worship of sun and water), now the local Chhattisgarhia community is also enthusiastically participating in this great festival. It is indeed a beautiful glimpse of ‘Mini India’.
‘Grand Campaign’ of cleanliness: The biggest proof of love for nature
The biggest quality of Chhath Mahaparva is its purity. In Chhattisgarh, Vrati (fasters) and organizing committees consider it as the ‘biggest brand ambassador of cleanliness’.
Emphasis on purity: Before the festival, cleaning the ghats of rivers, ponds and reservoirs becomes a mass campaign.
The pinnacle of dedication: 36 hours of waterless fasting, Satvik lifestyle and ‘zero error’ purity in making Prasad (thekua, fruits)… This is not just a fast, but a great yagya of purification of mind and soul.
Grandeur and devotion: ‘Chhath May’ atmosphere from Raipur to Bilaspur
Be it the Mahadevghat located on the Kharun River in the capital Raipur, or the ponds in the industrial city Bhilai – there is an atmosphere of ‘festivity and devotion’ everywhere during Chhath. Traditional Chhath songs playing on the ghats, folk stories of ‘Chhathi Maiya’ and the beautiful scene of offering Arghya to the setting and rising sun attract everyone.
Chhattisgarh has not only adopted Chhath Puja, but has also given it a new dimension at the national level with enduring grandeur and unbroken cultural harmony. This festival has now become a common heritage here.