Chhath: Worshipping luminescence

Smita Mishra As the winter chill descends upon the plains of north India and the hot, humid air gives way to a caressing, biting breeze; as the glaring Phoebus quietly mellows down, and silently the night begins to encroach upon the day, a sudden restlessness begins to fill my soul. Thousands of kilometres away at my native place, the people at this time of the year, must be thronging the resplendent riverbanks to offer prayer to Sun God, the soft winter sun must be emblazoning the azure waters with its crimson hue. But here lies no charm, no glory in the same sunset.Unceremoniously the same sun retreats behind a heap of concrete (called buildings), giving my heart a churn within. Tears swell up in my eyes when these lines echo in my mind. O traveller pray thou, play thy song just one more time Oh let my heart relive once more my native clime… Absolutely sacred Chhath in Bihar is much more than a festival. It is a powerful force, a moving spirit of some sort, which creates a tremendous impact on the minds of the people. So much is the fear of Chatthi Maiya’, the mother goddess of Chhath, that even the most ruthless, the most criminal minded people choose to stay low profile during the four day festival. This explains a sudden decline in the crime graph in Bihar and neighbouring areas during Chhath. A festival not known for pomp and show, expensive gifts or pocket burrowing rituals, Chhath is the prayer of the pious, no matter belonging to what strata of the society. The most wonderful thing about Chhath is the absolute sense of sacredness associated with it. For the believers, it is a no nonsense festival which cannot be joked about or moulded as per convenience. There are certain things very typical in this festival. One is the immense fear associated with it. One wrong ritual, one wrong step, one word against the holy rites, is feared may incur the terrible wrath of the deities. Hence people do not discuss a word about it. I have memories of being terribly reprimanded by my otherwise patient mother for talking about Chhath in a lighter vein. Ancient roots Chhath resounds the first prayer of the Aryans. It is well known that the Rig Vedic Aryans worshipped the forces of nature and prayed not for spiritual uplift but for health, wealth, and progeny. In Chhath too the wishes are simple and innocent. Charged with fervent emotions, which pervades the entire festival, the worshippers pray for children, health, happiness, and prosperity. It is said that Karna, the son of Kunti, first observed Chhath in ancient times. There are records of Draupadi offering prayer to the Sun God in Mahabharata. But there is no clear-cut reference to Chhath in the epic. Chhath is the only festival perhaps which pays obeisance to both the setting as well as the rising sun. Accepting both the aspects of life- the beginning as well as end as two faces of the same cycle- is the most beautiful aspect of this festival. Chhath also seems to have some vague connection with the fertility cult as well as it uses new grains, new crops and seeks the birth and well being of progeny. Observing Chhath Like Diwali, Durga Puja or any other Indian festival, all cannot observe Chhath. It is generally passed on in families or is taken up by individuals for the fulfilment of certain wishes. But it cannot be given up after the wish is fulfilled. It can either be handed down to someone else or performed passively by providing monetary assistance or assistance in labour to someone observing the vrata. The rituals As the name suggests, Chhath begins on the sixth day of the lunar calendar. Also known a Dala Chhath or Surya Sasthi Chhath, it is performed twice a year- once in summers in the month of Chaitra and once in the month of Kartik which corresponds with October- November. Immediately after Diwali, preparations begin for Chhath. Houses, roads, banks of water bodies are all spruced up and decorated. The rituals extend over a period of four days and the ‘Parvaitin’, the one who observes the vrat has to fast in all up to 48 hours. Day 1- Nahay khaye Devotees take a cleansing dip – in the holy river or some sacred water body and bring water to prepare the offerings, which largely include dishes made of bottle gourd along with rice. No dish of milk is used in it. Day 2 -Kharna A fast sans water is observed for the whole day and late in the evening, the devotees, after performing worship at home, break their fast. When the devotee has the food in the evening no one is allowed to venture near because if any one calls in between then the eating has to be stopped then and there. The devotee cannot ask for the food twice, so it is ensured that sufficient amount is served in the first helping. The leftover is distributed as prasad. The offerings -typically porridge of rice, puris (deep fried puffs of wheat flour) and bananas - are shared among family and visiting friends and relatives. This prasad is so typical and delicious that its taste lingers on for long. Day 3- Pehla Arghya It is spent in the preparation of offerings at home during the day. The offerings, which include thekua, kasar, sugarcane, lemon, and other seasonal fruits is placed in the ‘soop’-a flat bamboo basket made of cane. Utmost care is taken in the preparation of thekua and kasar. They are made of new wheat and rice respectively, coarsely pounded at home. Complete hygiene is maintained in their preparation. In the evening the devotees move to a river bank (or a pond, lake) with the entire family and friends. There the offerings are made to the setting sun. At nightfall, the devotees along with the family and friends return home where another colorful celebration takes place. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, clay elephants containing earthen lamps, and containers full of the offerings, are placed. There the Fire God is worshipped. Devotees maintain a strict fast without even water. Day 4- Doosra Arghya A procession similar to that conducted on the third day is continued. Devotees, family and friends, move again to the river bank much before the break of the dawn. The observer of the fast stands in waist deep water waiting for the sun to appear in the east. As soon as the sun peeps through the horizon, a wave of enthusiasm travels through the waiting humanity. With the chanting of the sacred Gaytri Mantra, offerings are made to the rising sun. At the completion of the offerings, there is great celebration. People compete with each other in taking the blessings of the ‘Parvaitin’. The devotees break their fast and rich offerings are made available to family, friends, relatives and the onlookers! The offerings are also very characteristic. They are: deep-fried and sweet rolls of stone-ground wheat flour, grapefruit, whole coconuts, bananas, and grains of lentils. The message of Chhath The most magnificent thing about this festival is not its sacredness or sanctity, but the fact that it acts as a unifying force both socially and culturally. No matter belonging to what community caste or religion, the people bow down and take the blessings of the devotee who performs this difficult vrata. There are no ego hassles in asking for the prasad even from complete strangers. People who do not participate directly in the festival assist the devotees by cleaning up the roads and ghats, providing free milk and fruits etc. Almost the entire town can be seen on the river banks during the main festival. The streets wear a deserted look as the entire state of Bihar competes to offer arghya to the Sun God. Bihar may be painted negatively a thousand times for hundreds of reasons but very few know that the people of this state have the spirit to become one- complete and unanimous- entity during a festival; the dreaded criminals of this very place try to behave during Chhath and the people of this very land rubbish the ancient divides of caste and religion to worship together for a while. Chhath is not a mere prayer offered to the forces of nature, it is actually a lesson, which forces us to retrospect and ruminate… One wonders, when so much love, so much sanctity, so much solidarity already exists why confine it to mere four days of a festival. Why don’t we realise that the emotions which regulate our actions during a festival are always present in us and all we need is to realise their presence. Why not discover it sooner and imbibe the spirit of Chhath forever in our lives… Life exists within man He is the creator of his own soul No God is needed, no prayer desired If he learns how to love, let live and die…