Passing through infinite legends and bright traditions, this special festival of Sun worship is basically a great festival of the union of folk and science and the great union of faith and belief.… Whatever may be the beliefs, but this festival is a celebration of the desire for efforts in human life, Underlines the importance of nature worship and water. This festival is not only sacred in its nature but is also far from artificiality.
Manish Chaudhary
When the entire world is standing on the verge of terror of war and destruction of humanity. Terrorism is creating an environment of fear and terror by carrying out barbaric behavior on innocent humanity. Violence and injustice are becoming the hallmark of our time and society. The crisis on women’s identity and children’s childhood is deepening. The pace of our sacred thoughts is going backwards. The mantra of human-like qualities is ready to become extinct. The flow of Ganga of human relations and companionship is diminishing. At the same time, man’s spirit of survival and fervent hope is still alive. The name of the great festival celebrating the same vibrant harmony, equality, harmony, participation and cleanliness is ‘Chhath’.
This is not just a festival, but a dialogue and behavior with the sacred Sanatan culture. The narrative and folk belief of this holy festival of Sun worship is that the basic source of Sun’s energy is his daughters Usha and Pratyusha. In this festival, along with Lord Bhaskar, Shaktiswarupa Usha and Pratyusha are also worshipped. On one hand, Arghya is offered to the setting Sun (Pratyusha), while Arghya is also offered to the Ashima of the rising Sun (Usha) and worshiped along with both the wives of Lord Bhaskar. This is a form of prayer with the primary source of energy (Shakti). It is the festival of coordination. The auspicious journey of this holy festival has started since the Vedic period. He is Sagun and Chaitanya even in the present. Evidence of this is visible in Rigveda, Vishnu Purana, Bhagwat Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana etc. The history of sun worship in Hinduism is as long as its culture is vast and extensive. Surya is among the Hindu gods, he is awakened, auspicious, experienced and accepted by the people. Talking about the interview of Gods, Surya is probably the only God, by whose direct darshan and generous benefaction, the entire world benefits.
Passing through infinite legends and bright traditions, this special festival of Sun worship is basically a great festival of the union of folk and science and the great union of faith and belief. Another reason for its belief is that on the day of the establishment of Ramrajya, Lord Ram and Mother Sita fasted on Kartik Shukla Shashthi and Saptami and worshiped Lord Bhaskar. After worshiping the setting sun and the rising sun, Lord Ram and Mother Sita received blessings. Whatever may be the beliefs, this festival underlines the desire for efforts in human life, worship of nature and the importance of water. This festival is not only sacred in its nature but is also far from artificiality. Not only is it equipped with public trust, but it is also filled with faith. In fact, Chhath festival is a festival of environmental protection, wish for health and discipline of celebration.
Human civilization has developed in companionship with nature. Man has had a creative relationship with nature since the beginning. Festivals are the best examples of the unique harmony of our culture and nature. Chhath, a great festival of folk faith mainly in Bihar-Jharkhand, is a supernatural festival of gratitude towards the natural contribution of nature and giving specialness to the marginalized things in life. This festival is basically celebrated in Bihar-Jharkhand and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. For the past few decades, this festival has started being celebrated with enthusiasm in many parts of the country and the world. If we say it in other words, people of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh celebrate this festival wherever they live in the country and abroad. This is not a festival but a collection of rituals and culture. This culture is blessed with its innocent human consciousness.
Chhath festival is a balance between folk and scriptures. Focused on purity and environment, this festival prohibits the presence of any third person between the devotee and the worshipable God Surya. This festival also denies any gender discrimination between the devotee i.e. the worshiper and the deity. Anyone can be a worshiper of the great ritual of Chhath. Be it man or woman, young or old. Sustained with immense faith and belief, this festival is a great story of ease and simplicity of life. Chhath is a unique festival of folk tradition, man’s unwavering love for nature, extreme cleanliness and faith. In this great festival of supernatural greatness of the great worship of the setting and rising sun, there is an echo of good wishes for good fortune, good fortune, prosperity and all-round success. This festival is a divine vision of the human zenith of devotion and dedication.
The unique feature of Chhath festival is the unique contribution of its folk songs. The song sung by popular American singer Christine is the global acceptance of its lyrics. Sharda Sinha, Anuradha Paudwal, Manoj Tiwari, Kalpana Patwari, Richa Chaubey, Neelotpal Mrinal have also made valuable contribution in expanding the rhythmic and creative appeal of Chhath songs. Songs like ‘Kelwa ke paat par ugo Suraj Dev’, ‘Pahile Pahele Hum Kaineni Chhathi Maiya’, ‘Kaanch Hi Baans Ke Bahangiya Lachkat Jaaye’, ‘Uthu Suraj Dev Bhaile Bihaan’ etc. are not just songs. As soon as you listen to these songs, you come into a different state of mind. Your land starts calling you. The charming memories of home start pulling you like a magnet. Leaving aside all the needs and facilities, you turn towards your home. This is not just the attraction of an inevitable culture and tradition, but the culmination of the celebratory effect of man’s natural culture and tradition.
This festival of faith in collectivity is also gradually being celebrated in an individual form. Memories of the river are also limited to these festivals only. The relationship of companionship with nature is also shrinking. This festival is also an initiative to reconsider all those relationships. There is a beating heart inside the man making his way to the moon. There is a beautiful soul of feelings. There is a sweet echo of culture and traditions, which again and again succeeds in keeping him human. Whenever we are human beings, we believe in a celebratory life with companionship and mutual cooperation. Returning to our roots with the human vibration of emotionality. Many times returning also means reaching your destination. Man’s destination is his creativity. Nature does creation, mother does it. Generosity and tolerance are the conditions of creation. Man, created by nature, can illuminate the virtues of humanity through his festivals only by being generous and tolerant.
(The author is Assistant Professor at Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi.)