Worship of Sun god (Chhath Puja)

Blessings for Liberated Untouchables

Published by: Printed by:

Ram Chandra Jha Xtreme Office Aids (Pvt.) Ltd.
for Sulabh International Social Service Organisation WZ-219A, Street No. 7,
RZ-83, Mahavir Enclave, Lajwanti Garden,
Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi-110045 New Delhi-110046
Phone: +91-11-25031518, 25031519, Phone : +91-11-28523637
Fax: +91-11-25034014 E-mail : xtremeofficeaids@gmail.com
Email : sulabhinfo@gmail.com xtreme1@rediffmail.com
sulabhinfo1@gmail.com
Website: sulabhinternational.org/
sulabhtoiletmuseum.org
Salutations to
the setting and
rising Sun
THE SUN WORSHIP FESTIVAL also for fulfilling particular wishes. Chhath
(CHHATH) is a Hindu festival but many Muslim families The banks

Worshipping Sun god (Chhath also participate in this holy festival in certain of a river or
pond are the
Puja) is a festival places. ideal prayer
of reverence to location. Chhath
the solar deity, the only festival in the world CELEBRATIONS is considered a
means to thank
where devotees offer salutations to the setting With no temples to visit, or house to spruce up the Sun for
and rising Sun. Chhath puja is performed before the festival, one would conclude that bestowing the
on Kartik Shukla Shashti i.e. the 6th day of Chhath Puja would be an easy sail through. bounties of life
on earth as also
the month of Kartik in the Hindu Calendar, However, for this Puja, things are anything for fulfilling
exactly 6 days after Deepawali. This falls but easy and the ritual observances of this particular
around the month of October-November as occasion would make a medieval Franciscan wishes
per the Gregorian calendar. A week after Order appear easy.
Diwali, the festival of lights, comes the
festival Chhath. For one night and day, the
people practically live on the banks of a river
or any other water body in the neighbourhood
where a ritual offering is made to the Sun
god.
The word Chhath denotes the number
six and thus the name itself serves as a
reminder of this auspicious day on the
festival almanac. The venue for this unique
festival is the riverbank and since the Ganges
traverses the countryside of Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh and Bengal in India like a lifeline, it
is but appropriate that the banks of this river
should be the ideal prayer location. Chhath
is considered a means to thank the Sun for
bestowing the bounties of life on earth as

1
 The celebrations of the days are as follows:
on the day before the actual worship, devotees
take a cleansing dip, preferably in the Ganges,
and bring back some holy water to prepare
the offerings. A fast is observed for the whole
day and late in the evening, the devotees,
after performing worship at home, break their
fast. The offerings – typically a rice porridge,
Sohari/puris (deep fried puffs of wheat flour)
and bananas – are shared among family and
visiting friends and relatives. On the second
day, the 36-hour fast begins. The day is spent
in the preparation of offerings at home and in
the evening, the devotees move to a riverbank,
a pond or any water body. There, offerings
are made to the setting Sun. Chhath is the
only festival when the setting sun as opposed
to its rising is worshipped indicating regard
and respect for an entity or persona on the
rise or decline, although, as a matter of fact,
the Sun after setting in one part of the earth
rises in the other one; globally, therefore,
it never sets. Our earth belongs to the solar
family scientifically and figuratively. Life on
our planet depends on the Sun, seasons as
well as day and night all regulated by it. Ever
since the dawn of civilization man has been
invoking the forces of nature, seeking their Similarly the Japanese worship Sun according
blessings to overcome ordeals and revering to the injunctions of Shinto religion.
them as gods. Sun became god ‘Ra’ of the At nightfall, the devotees return home
People ancient Egyptians of the age of Pyramids. where another colourful celebration takes
performing
Puja on Chhath:
place. Under a canopy of sugar
Various cane sticks, clay elephants
interpretations containing earthen lamps and
exist of the word
‘Puja,’ including containers full of the offerings
worship with are placed. Devotees maintain
offerings,
a strict fast without even
especially
of flowers, water. Just before sunrise, the
and ritual devotees reach the riverbank
anointment with
sandalwood
again and offer prayers to the
paste. Puja is rising Sun. Once the prayers
the combination are done, the devotees break
of the Sanskrit
words for sin their fast with the Prasad or
and birth the offerings. After that, the
Prasad is distributed among
family, friends and anyone who

2

asks for it. The offerings characteristically
consist of deep-fried and sweet rolls of
stone ground wheat flour, grapefruit, whole
coconuts, bananas, and grains of lentils.
During the Puja, these items are contained
in small, semicircular pans woven out of
bamboo strips called Soop.
Chhath is a festival of prayer and
purity observed with somberness and strict
discipline, a festival that should not be
missed. It is held in high esteem and regard.
Chhath is a very colourful festival and new
clothes are a must for the devotees. There is
much music and a lot of singing of folk and
devotional songs, both at home and on the
riverbank. In Patna (Bihar, India), millions of
people throng the banks of the river Ganges
for miles and the camaraderie this festival
evokes is unparalled.
Chhath is a
festival of prayer
and purity
observed with
somberness and
strict discipline,
a festival that
should not be
missed. It is held
in high esteem
and regard.
RITUALS
Almost immediately after the merriment of
Diwali subsides, the solemnity of Chhath
takes over. Women of the household make
all the preparations that are required for the
Puja. While the younger women and children
take over the everyday household chores,
these women begin with a thorough spring-
cleaning of all the things that would be used
to prepare the Prasad or food offerings to Sun
god. Everything, from the kitchen chulha to
the ladles, cooking utensils, and frying pan,
is purified.
It is the bounty of the harvest, which is
deemed a fit offering to Sun god. Newly
pounded rice is soaked and made into a
paste. Dry fruits, nuts and slivers of coconut
are used as flavoring and the cooked lump
is then rolled in the palms, into hardened
3
 procession, men carry the Prasad in a basket
of bamboo weaves. The basket is held high
The offerings
above the crowds’ hands for the fear of it
characteristically
consist of deep- being soiled even by chance with an impure
fried and sweet touch. Within it are the laddoos, thekuwas/
rolls of stone
ground wheat khajure and of course the fruits of the season.
flour, grapefruit, Coconuts, a bunch of bananas, an orange or
whole coconuts,
bananas, and
two and always an earthen lamp, covered
grains of lentils. with a cotton cloth, dyed in turmeric, are the
During the Puja, unchangeable contents.
these items
are contained No one tells the hour of prayer but, almost
in small, magically, the procession is timed to accuracy
semicircular
pans woven out
laddoos (balls). Wheat flour becomes the and the prayers are offered at the moment the
of bamboo strips main ingredient for the traditional cake Sun sets. As the western sky of early winter
called Soop called thekuwa/khajure. The dough is cut turns rosy, the scene is a concerted vision of
into shapes or pressed into wooden moulds devotion as countless up-stretched arms hold
before they are fried crisp deep brown, to aloft the glistening bamboo trays and baskets.
be eaten as crumbling mouthful. Generous The veiled oil lamps are gently glowing and a
amounts of clarified butter, oodles of jaggery chorus of hymns rings the air. Minutes pass,
and coconut shavings go into this equivalent and the faces become blurred as the crowd
of the cookie. begins the walk back, leading away from the
For the preparation of these offerings, the riverfront.
lady in command observes certain stringent Having paid homage to the setting Sun,
rules like abstaining from eating meals and the next day, one must make ready for the
not wearing stitched clothes. A bath before daybreak obeisance. This is the crucial part
entering the kitchen is a must for everyone. of the ritual and the journey towards the river
By the time the day of the fast arrives, all begins when not even the slightest hint of
the preparations are complete and a solemn sunlight is visible. It is a mahogany black
During Chhath it atmosphere prevails. Accompanied by chorus sky outside as the festival falls during the
is a mahogany
black sky
renditions of traditional devotional songs, the dark phase of the moon. One can tell when
outside as the procession, which begins as a small group the riverbank is near from the smell of dew
festival falls at a doorstep, becomes a surging crowd of soaked grass and lapping of water. This
during the dark
phase of the devotees as one nears the riverbanks. In the time the faces turn eastward and instead of
moon. During just standing on the riverbank, the devotees
morning the
faces turn
enter the water for the customary holy dip.
eastward and In the meantime, the baskets are left securely
instead of just under a temporary canopy, made of freshly
standing on the
riverbank, the harvested sugar cane stalks. A four-sided
devotees enter platform is made especially for this with
the water for
the customary its corners decorated with terracotta lamps
holy dip. In the shaped like elephants or birds. Sandalwood
meantime, the
baskets are left
paste, vermilion, wet rice, flowers and fruits,
securely under covered over with red dyed cotton cloth, to
a temporary ward off evil designs and spirits, add the right
canopy
note of sanctity. Once the first streaks appear
on the horizon, men and women, dressed

4
in their saris and dhotis (loin
cloth) plunge into the shallow
waters. Having found a foothold
and completely oblivious of the
chilling waters, they begin the
timeless mantra of the Rigveda,
specific to the Sun-the Gayatri A lady offering
Mantra. The devotees break ‘Arghya’ to
the fast. Prasad is distributed. the Sun. The
enormous
According to common belief if faith in Chhath
you beg for the Prasad all wishes Puja has made
will come true. it one of the
most popular
festivals
MYTHOLOGY
It is believed that ritual of
Chhath Puja may have started from the used this method to remain without any
Vedic age, as the Rigveda contains hymns external intake of food as they were able
worshipping Sun god and describes similar to obtain the solar energy directly from the
rituals. The ancient Sanskrit epic
Mahabharata has references to
Draupadi, worshipping Sun. In
the epic, Draupadi, the wife of the It is believed that ritual of Chhath
Pandavas, rulers of Hastinapur
(modern Delhi) had performed Puja may have started from the Vedic
the Chhatha-Vrata, seeing the
Pandavas in deep trouble and on
age, as the Rigveda contains hymns
advice of noble sage Dhaumya. worshipping Sun god and describes
Through her worship of Sun god,
Draupadi was not only able to similar rituals. The ancient Sanskrit
solve her immediate problem but
also helped the Pandavas later epic Mahabharata has references to
regain their lost kingdom.
It is also believed that Chhath
Draupadi, worshipping Sun.
was started by Karna, the son of
Surya (Sun). Surya Putra (Son of
Sun) Karna who ruled over the Anga Desh sun rays. This was done through the Chhath
(present day Bhagalpur district of Bihar, Method. This has been stated in the book
India) during the Mahabharat Age. He was a “Sri Chhath Mahavigyan” (The Science of
great warrior and fought against the Pandavas Chhath) by Yogishri Oumkaar.
in the Kurukshetra War.
However, its yogic/scientific history dates
back to the Vedic times. The Rishis of yore

5
 Social
Acceptability
Through
Chhath: An
Unconventional
Way
The celebration of Chhath festival from October 22 to 25, 2009, with
traditional gusto and fanfare all over India, was one of the happiest
moments for Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Founder, Sulabh Sanitation and Social
Reform Movement, for the erstwhile untouchable women of Alwar whom he
has liberated from scavenging participated in all the rituals associated with
this festival and of all the people, his own wife, Mrs. Amola Pathak, applied
“Sindoor” (vermilion marks) on the parting of their hair on their heads.
A large number of his friends and admirers whom Dr. Pathak had invited
to share his joy at his bungalow – 21, Olof Palme Road, Vasant Vihar, New
Delhi – were wonder -struck to see the transformation : Amola Pathak, who
belongs to one of the highest castes, Brahmin, applying “Sindoor” on the

6
 People pray to Sun god for their well being. It
Erstwhile
women
is believed that people get their wishes fulfilled,
scavengers
standing in a if they observe Chhath Puja. There is a popular
row with folded
hands giving belief that worshipping Surya will help in curing
salutations to
the setting Sun
god. May be
diseases like leprosy and also ensure longevity and
Chhath Puja is
the only festival
prosperity of the family.
on earth where
both setting
and rising Sun
is worshipped

7
 women who were not allowed to come even in which the libation is made) ” to Sun god
Mrs. Amola
Pathak
near the shadow of houses of the Upper setting in the west.
standing knee- Caste people in the past, now treating them Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak has been
deep in water as equal at such a solemn ceremony as the trying for more than four decades to bring
giving ‘Arghya’
(offerings) to
celebration of Chhath, soon after offering scavengers into the mainstream of society
the setting “Arghya (an oblation reverently offered to and Chhath, being one of the very important
Sun in a Soop gods which consists of flowers, water or festivals in his family was also an occasion
(winnowing
basket)
cow-milk only, also the container or vessel to make scavengers feel accepted. His wife,
Mrs. Amola Pathak, was on fast for 36
hours, as ordained by the Shastras. In a
traditionally decorated small water tank,
Chhath is the festival of truth, non- with banana trunks on its four sides,
violence, forgiveness and compassion. Mrs. Amola Pathak stood with folded
hands facing Sun god for long while
It is dedicated to Sun god. priests chanted mantras. The liberated
scavenging women were struck by her

8
devotion as she dipped in water body and
remained standing until Sun god and its rays
faded from the horizon.
Mrs. Pathak has been crusading against
untouchability shoulder to shoulder with
Dr. Pathak, right from the very beginning.
The devotee observing the Chhath fast is
known as Vrati and hence Mrs. Pathak was
called during the celebrations Vrati, a person
given very high regards during the festival
and to get blessing from Vrati is the great
yearning of every married woman in Bihar,
the state from where Chhath Puja tradition
started first and gradually spread all over the
country.
Chhath is one of the important festivals
of Bihar and Jharkhand. It is also observed
in some parts of West Bengal, Orissa, Assam,
Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mauritius
and Nepal. It is a 4-day long festival also
called ‘Suryashashthi (Surya means Sun
god and Shashthi means sixth day).’ The
enormous faith in Chhath Puja has made it
one of the most popular festivals in this region.
Dr. Pathak wants all the liberated Untouchables
to imbibe and assimilate all the traditional
Hindu values so that they can easily merge in
society and start celebrating themselves fairs
and festivals of the community.
The Alwar women sat with the rest of
the devotees on the rooftop of Dr. Pathak’s
bungalow where arrangement had been made
for the worship of Sun god. They listened
carefully to the Chhath Katha. Normally,
women observing Chhath penance go to
the nearby river for offering “Arghya” to
Sun god. As in the past, Mrs. Pathak
performed Chhath Puja from the rooftop
of their bungalow where a small water pond Erstwhile
was made especially for the Puja. women
scavengers
The irony of the festival Chhath is that enjoying Kheer
the ‘Soop’ (winnowing basket) in which and Sohari
‘Arghya’ is offered is made by the scavengers (Chapati) on
the second day
who are treated as ‘Untouchables.’ To enable of the Chhath
them to break out from the depressed social i.e. Kharna
and economic conditions, Government of
9
 Chhath is one of the important festivals of Bihar and
Jharkhand. It is also observed in some parts of West Bengal,
Orissa, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mauritius
and Nepal.

10
Mrs. Amola Pathak
paying her salutation
to rising Sun. She
was standing in
knee-deep water
before sunrise and
welcomed Sun god
by giving ‘Arghya’
and tribute

India and many other NGOs have been implementing various

schemes and programmes to empower the scavengers and their Mrs. Amola
Pathak
dependents, but most of these programmes are on the line of the applying
traditional ways like giving them vocational training in various ‘Sindoor’
trades like making bamboo furniture, cleaning roads etc. (vermilion)
on the head
Sulabh International in its own way has been trying hard to of one of the
rehabilitate these scavengers through educational and vocational erstwhile
training so that these people can break away from their traditional women
scavengers
occupation, depressed social condition and poverty and leverage from Alwar
them to work their own way up the social and economic
ladder, with dignity and pride. Sulabh through its programme
continuously persuades and tries to convince the scavengers to
stop and break away from their traditional occupation and take
up alternative and dignified occupations or self-employment
activities. But there are incidents where they have been compelled
to go back to their old calling. The women who chose to stop the
practice face social boycott and are not able to avail themselves
of rehabilitation services offered by the government for lack
of guidance. To overcome these problems of rehabilitation,
Sulabh has many unconventional ways of rehabilitating these
scavengers. These aim at rehabilitating scavengers and increasing

11
 social acceptability of scavengers. One of the
untraditional ways of social rehabilitation
was through the festival of Chhath.
In 2009, the dates of main Chhath Puja
were October 24 and October 25. Chhath
Sandhya Arghya (Chhath Dala Evening
Puja) was on October 24 and Chhath
Suryodaya Arghya (Chhath Dala Morning
Puja) was on October 25. Nahai Khai (Bath
and Meal) was on October 22 and Kharna
was on October 23.
Chhath is the festival of truth, non-
violence, forgiveness and compassion. It
is dedicated to Sun god. The rituals usually
consist of fasting, folklores, hymns, together
with the somber hues on the banks of the
celestial Ganga or any fresh water body.
A million lit lamps with thousands of hands

The action looks simple but has a great

relevance and meaning attached to it.
In doing so they were made to feel
that they no more are an outcaste or
untouchable, but have been accepted as
part of the society. The life and welfare
of their husband and their family, too, is
what counts.

offering ‘Arghya’ to the Sun make it a
delightful sight. Hence the scavengers were
delighted to be part of this festival. During
this sacred festival of Chhath this year
the liberated women scavengers not only
participated in the festival but were part of it.
They were part of the rituals from October 23
when Kharna (fasting second day of Chhath)
was observed. They along with Sulabh
officials took part in evening Puja when Mrs.
Pathak broke the fast after performing a Puja
at home. Kheer, Sohari (Chapati) and fruits
(especially banana) were offered to deities
and then the whole Sulabh family along with
the families of the ‘untouchable’ scavengers
shared the Prasad. Another round of fasting
for Mrs. Pathak began after the Prasad was
shared. This fast was finally broken by her on
the fourth day morning.
On the third day all the ladies gathered
together to worship Sun god in the evening.
Chhath is the only time when the setting Sun as

12
opposed to its rising is celebrated for its glory as
the cycle of birth starts with death. Maybe this
is the only festival on earth where both setting
Sun and rising Sun is worshipped. The ladies
paid full attention to Chhath Sandhya Arghya
offering to setting Sun god. Mrs. Pathak made
the offering to Surya(Sun) by standing in
knee-deep water on the roof top of her house.
Mrs. Pathak gave ‘Arghya’ (offering) and
‘Soop’ (winnowing basket) offerings to Sun
god, consisting of flowers, fruits, sprouted
grains, coconut, sugarcane, white radish,
Dr. and
sweets and khajure (Sweet Meat). Mrs. Pathak
As one of the most important Pujas along with
during Chhath festival is the Chhath Sandhya their daughter,
son and
Arghya – the evening prayers dedicated to Sun other family
god, the entire family of Dr. Pathak including members
his grandchildren accompanied Mrs. Pathak paying tribute
to setting Sun
who had undertaken the fasting. Chhath
Sandhya Arghya had the trappings of a
carnival in Dr. Pathak’s residence. Besides
the erstwhile women scavengers, there were
13
 elders, friends, members of family, onlookers and numerous
Music section volunteers and senior officials from Sulabh.
of Sulabh
sang Bhajans Music section of Sulabh under the main singer Mrs. Nandani
and songs of Jha, sang Chhath songs. Some of the songs and Bhajans that
Chhath, during are rendered during the Chhath Sandhya Arghya are carried on
the Puja
through oral transmission from mothers and mothers-in-law to
daughters and daughters-in-law. On the fourth day morning,
Chhath Sooryodaya Arghya was performed. People gathered
at Dr. Pathak’s residence very early in the morning and the
whole atmosphere was in Chhath lore. Mrs. Pathak repeated
the rituals performed on the third day evening for the rising sun

Some of the songs and Bhajans that are

rendered during the Chhath Sandhya
Arghya are carried on through oral
transmission from mothers and mothers-in-
law to daughters and daughters-in-law.

14
by standing knee-deep in water and offering
to Sun god was shared as Prasad.
Mrs. Amola Pathak applied vermilion to
the rehabilitated scavengers on the parting
of their hair as a mark of blessing wishing
long life of their husbands and welfare of
their family. The action looks simple but has
a great relevance and meaning attached to it.
In doing so they were made to feel that they
no more are an outcaste or untouchable, but
have been accepted as part of the society. The
life and welfare of their husband and their
family, too, is what counts.
Kumar Dilip,
This was first time in history that the same
Mrs. Amola
people who were not even allowed to come Pathak’s son
inside the family were given acceptability helping her
with Chhath
in society through a very sacred festival.
Sandhya
In this unconventional way, they have been Arghya
relieved from the stigma of scavenging and
emancipated socially and now are considered
15
 as part of the mainstream of society and are Scavengers and their dependants are the
Erstwhile
women
no longer subjected to insults. Rather they are most down-trodden section of our society.
scavengers welcomed in those houses where they earlier They have been traditionally performing
from Tonk and used to clean toilets. They are offered tea by scavenging and sweeping work for
Alwar, keenly
watching Mrs.
the upper caste people; and the eatables like generations, which is normally not performed
Amola Pathak papadum, pickles and noodles prepared by by other sections of the society. The
performing them are bought by the local people in areas involvement of a majority of adult population
the rituals of
Chhath Puja
where they live. This is how all the scavengers in scavenging has given them a negative
of Alwar have been rehabilitated. social image and status and such jobs are

16

termed as their traditional occupation. The
negative image of this community and the
hazardous and unhealthy working conditions
have hampered their acceptability by society
at large, not allowing them acquire other
skills, jobs and even certain types of self-
employment. As a result, majority of the
youth from this community have not been
able to break away from their traditional
occupation which, besides being obnoxious,
has limited income-earning potential and
hence they generally live in abject poverty.
Due to economic stringency, there are cases
where women have been compelled to
take up the traditional occupation thereby
perpetuating their exploitation. Though
scavengers perform a very important work for
the society, this is not socially recognized.
This was first time in history that the
same people who were not even allowed
to come inside the family were given
acceptability in society through a very
sacred festival.
This was not the first time that the
liberated untouchables were exposed to
old Hindu traditions. Earlier also they were
taken to five star hotels to enjoy the dinner
and lunch. Dr. Pathak says, taking them
for a couple of times to five star hotels or
restaurants would not solve their problem.
But this is symbolic that they, too, can come
on par with the elite of the society. This also
gives them satisfaction that they can dine at
a place which was the exclusive haunt of the
rich earlier. These kinds of activities make
them dream very positive for their children
and coming generation.
We hope and wish that these kinds of
efforts and attempts to eradicate untouchability
and eliminate social discrimination against
the so-called Untouchables, would end
discrimination, and inequality would vanish,
everyone in our country would become
equal.
17
 Participation
In Chhath Puja
One of the happiest
moments in the
life of Mrs. Laxmi
Nanda when

Was Rebirth For

Mrs. Amola Pathak
applied ‘Sindoor’
(Vermilion) on her
head as a blessing
to her and also

Laxmi Nanda
wishing long life for
her husband

“Baba (Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak) is

such a saintly person that
he liberated us from the dirtiest calling
of scavenging and gave new professions.
What he did was something that we could
never hope for in life. But the greatest thing
that ever happened to me was today when
Madamji (Mrs. Pathak) applied Sindoor on
my head! The upper caste Brahmin lady
touching an ‘Untouchable’! Such things don’t
happen every day. A shiver ran through my
body when I stood before her and she gave

18
me Chhath blessings,” said Laxmi Nanda,
one of the liberated scavenging women from
Alwar.
“For people who saw Madamji doing
so, this ritual may not mean much. But for
me it was a total transformation, a virtual
rebirth. I have been moving about like a
liberated scavenger for quite sometime. But
for the first time attending Chhath Puja and
being honoured in this fashion by no less a
lady than the wife of Baba is something so
profound and moving that I don’t have words
to express my feelings.”
Laxmi Nanda said: “The significance and
importance of what happened at this Chhath
Puja today can be realized and appreciated
only when you know what kind of treatment
was meted out to us in the past. Some time
back, my nine years old daughter started were condemned from the day we were born
crying on Janamashtmi day when she could as Untouchables.” Mrs. Amola
Pathak offering
not go to temple for the darshan of Lord Continuing her account, Laxmi said: holy thread
Krishna, while all others were entering and “What was my life then and what has it (Baddhi) to
coming out with the blessings of the priest. become now? See the change. Baba had Mrs. Laxmi
Nanda
“Seeing my weeping child I could not taken us, all the liberated scavengers, to the
help taking her also to the temple. There was temple in Alwar and nobody protested. Even
such a big crowd that no one noticed us in the the temple priest was kind to us and gave us
hustle and bustle. People were going out and Prasad. But still I was thinking in my mind
coming in. As we reached the inner sanctum
and stood before the anointed image of Lord
Krishna, the priest’s wife spotting us started
shouting: “Chandalni (cursed one), how have “For people who saw Madamji
you entered god’s house and dared do so on
the holiest day of Janmashtmi?” doing so, this ritual may not mean
Hearing her outcry, I dragged my
weeping daughter out of the temple and
much. But for me it was a total
rushed back home lest the priest’s wife transformation, a virtual rebirth.”
should send somebody to beat us for what
she thought was violation of the religious
code. Thank god there was nobody chasing
us. But my daughter having gone through about the attitude of the priest if I visited
this trauma was stunned and for several the temple alone. But today, participating in
days did not even move out of the house. the Chhath Puja, I think I have washed my
Seeing her plight my husband and I were sins. Madamji is really a great lady who had
only cursing our birth. If we could not even absolutely no hesitation or reservation in
enter the precincts where Lord Krishna is blessing me and others from Alwar. God give
worshipped, what’s the use of our life? We her joy and happiness is my prayer now.”

19
 Chhath Puja is an
Important Puja
dedicated to Sun god
Though there are many festivals
celebrated by the Hindus,
there is one Hindu festival
that is uniquely from Bihar (India), and that is
the festival of ‘Chhath’. Chhath or Dala Chhath
Vrat is an important and popular ritual observed
by people of Bihar and Jharkhand and in the
Terai Region of Nepal. This important ritual is
also observed in eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh
and in some parts of Chhattisgarh, Madhya
Pradesh and Bengal in India after Diwali. It
is dedicated to the worship of Sun god and
therefore, is also known as ‘Surya Shashthi’.
Chhath is considered to be a means to thank
Sun god for bestowing the bounties of life on
earth, as also for fulfilling particular wishes. It
is one of the holiest festivals for Hindus and
extends for four days.
Chhath Vrat (Fast) is dedicated to Sun god.
People undertake this Vrat for the well being of
the family. It is believed that people get their
wishes fulfilled, if they perform Chhath Puja.
There is a popular belief that worshipping
Surya will help in curing diseases like leprosy
and also ensure longevity and prosperity of
the family. The fast is mainly kept by women,
in many places men also join in the ritual and
observe fast.
During the Chhath Puja devotees cook food
with dry wood on new oven made of brick and
soil and the cooked food is ‘Prasad’ or offerings
to Sun god. A pure and strict vegetarian food is
taken during Chhath, and this strict vegetarian
food starts from Diwali. Even Garlic and Onions
are not used during this period.
20
There is a popular belief that all the desires
of the devotees are fulfilled during Chhath.
Also, an element of fear is present among the
devotees who dread the punishment for any
misdeed during Chhath. The city remains safe
and experiences peace during this time when
criminals, too, prefer to be good citizens.
Nahai Khai (Literally meaning Bath and
Meal) - first day of Chhath
The first day of Chhath is dedicated to cleaning,
preparation and purification. The house
and surroundings are scrupulously cleaned.
Thousands of devotees have an early morning
bath in Ganga River or in a nearby water body
on the day. The main food cooked on the day
is rice, chana dal (Gram pulse), and green
gourd (lauki) after bath and hence, it is called
Nahai Khai, literally meaning meal after bath.
The Vrati (devotee) allows herself/himself only
one meal on this day. The devotee observing
the Chhath fast is known as Vrati. A devotee
becomes a Vrati when the mantle is passed on
to her by an elderly devotee who was observing
the Chhath ritual in the family. Lauki is an
important preparation on the day and, therefore,
the cooking and the day is also referred as Lauki
Bhat.
Kharna (fasting) - Second day of Chhath
Fast or Upvaas (fasting) begins on the second
day and this is referred as Kharna. On Panchami,
the day before Chhath, the Vrati observes fast
for the whole day, which ends in the evening
a little late after sunset. Just after the worship
of earth, the offerings of Rasiao-kheer (rice
delicacy), Sohari/puris (deep-fried puffs of
wheat flour) and bananas are offered to deities
and then the whole family shares the Prasad.
From this day onwards, for the next 36 hours,
the Vrati goes on fast without water. This fast is
usually broken on the fourth day morning.
Chhath Sandhya Arghya (evening offerings)
- third day of Chhath
The day is spent preparing the Prasad (offerings)
at home. One of the most important pujas
during Chhath festival is the Chhath Sandhya
Arghya – the evening prayers dedicated to Sun
god. Men and women who are undertaking the
Chhath fast worship Sun god and take a ritual
bath in a nearby river, pond or sea. On the eve
of this day, the entire household accompanies
the Vrati to a riverbank, pond or a common large
water body to make the offerings (Arghya) to
the setting sun. It is during this phase of Chhath
Puja that the devotees offer prayers to the
setting Sun. Chhath Sandhya Arghya attains a
carnival atmosphere. Besides the worshippers,
there are elders, friends, members of family,
onlookers and numerous volunteers to help
the people. Chhath Sandhya Arghya is mainly
performed along the banks of Ganga and Kosi
rivers in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, other parts of
eastern India and Nepal and attracts millions of
devotees.
Devotees offer ‘Arghya’ to setting Sun god
Mrs. Pathak
offering
Sandhya
Arghya to Sun
god while
standing
knee-deep
in water
along with ‘Soop.’ ‘Arghya’ and ‘Soop’ are
offerings and consist of flowers, fruits, sprouted
grains, coconut, sugarcane, white radish, sweets
and Khajure. The offering is made to Surya by
standing in knee-deep water.
Popular Chhath songs and Bhajans and
Chhath Puja prayers fill the entire area. Ritual
regional folk songs are also sung on the occasion.
Ritual rendition of regional folk songs, carried
on through oral transmission from mothers and
mothers-in-law to daughters and daughters-in-
law, is one of the main attractions.
In the evening Pujas are performed at
home. This Puja is performed in a special and
fixed area. At the night of day three, colourful
event is held. Here, lighted earthen lamps are
kept under a canopy of five sugarcane sticks.
The five sticks signify the human body made
of Panchtattvas (five great elements - earth,
water, fire, air and ether). This is a symbolic
ritual in Chhath Puja, performed especially in
those families where marriage or child birth has
21
 taken place recently. The lighted lamps signify
Chhath is the the solar energy sustaining the human being.
only festival
on earth People perform this ritual at home, during late
where both evening on day three after making the offering
setting and to the setting sun. After that, it is done at the
rising Sun is
worshipped banks of the river on day four before making
for its glory the offerings to the rising Sun.
as the cycle
of birth starts
with death Chhath Suryodaya (Rising Sun)/ Parna
(Day after Chhath)/ Bihaniya Arghya (next
morning offerings) - fourth day of Chhath
On the final day of Chhath Puja, the devotees,
along with family and friends, go to the river-
bank before sunrise, in order to make the
offerings (Arghya) to the rising Sun. Devotees
repeat the rituals performed on the third day
evening for rising Sun. The festival ends with
the breaking of the fast by the Vrati (devotee)
and the friends visiting the houses of the
devotees to receive the Prasad. Chhath being
celebrated at the crack of the dawn on a river
bank is a beautiful, elating spiritual experience
connecting the modern Indian to his ancient
cultural roots.
The folk songs sung on the eve of Chhath
reflect the culture, social structure, mythology
and history of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Nowadays, modern Chhath songs, largely
Bollywood film remixes have caught on, but
the old tradition still goes strong with a great
degree of sanctity. The three main linguistic
regions of Bihar – the Maithili, the Magadhi,
and the Bhojpuri – and all the various dialects
associated with these, have different folk songs;
22
but have an underlying unity in their dedication
to Chhath. The minor nuances of the Chhath
rituals, such as in the Kharna ritual, vary from
region to region, and also across families, but
still there is a fundamental similarity.
The Festivities and the Rituals:
Chhath is a festival of great reverence and
fervour. All the people dress up in their best and
new clothes are a must for the Vrati. Clothes
have to be unstitched and Vrati sleeps on the
floor.
Loud and devotional music reverberates
in the air, purifying the whole atmosphere.
Folk songs are sung both at home and on the
riverbank. Millions of people throng the banks
of river Ganges.
The streets are kept spotlessly clean by bands
of volunteers, who also decorate all streets
leading to the river with colorful festoons,
ribbons, and banners.
The offerings of deep fried and sweet rolls
of stone ground wheat flour, grapefruit, whole
coconuts, bananas, and grains of lentils are
also very peculiar. These items are contained in
small, semicircular pans woven out of bamboo
strips.
Strict salt-less vegetarian menu is observed
(even onions and garlic are considered unwanted
during the entire festival period), all earthen
vessels are reserved for the period only and all
possible purity of food is adhered to.
Once a devotee takes up the Vrati
responsibility she/he continues to perform
the rituals annually without any break and
stops only when she/he has identified a person
capable of continuing the tradition. She/he then
passes the tradition to the person usually from
younger generation.
A Vrati skips the annual Puja only in the
event of a death in the family.
The Science of Chhath - Chhath Mahavigyan
The word Chhath is a compound of two words;
Chhath means 6 stages and Hath refers to the
science of Hath Yog (austerity).
The word Chhath refers to the process of
consciously obtaining the solar energy through
6 stages involving the methods similar to Hath
Yog.
Hath here refers to the austerities like fasting,
standing in water, etc.
According to another viewpoint, the word
Chhath comes from number 6, which signifies
its starting date (6th day of the month of Kartik
in the Hindu calendar).
Stages of Chhath (Conscious
Photoenergization Process)
The entire process of Chhath is divided into
6 scientific stages of Conscious Cosmic
Solar Energy Infusion Technique (Conscious
Photoenergization Process).
Stage 1: Fasting and the discipline of
cleanliness leads to detoxification of the body
and mind. This stage prepares the body and
mind of the Vrati (devotee) to receive the cosmic
solar energy.
Stage 2: Standing in water with half the
body in the water minimizes the leak of energy
and helps the prana (psychic energy) to move
up the sushumna (psychic channel in the spine).
Stage 3: Cosmic Solar Energy enters the
Vrati’s pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus
glands (Triveni complex) through retina and
optic nerves.
Stage 4: Activation of Triveni (tri-glandular
Dr. Pathak
along with
the erstwhile
women
scavengers
when the
Chhath Puja
came to an end
complex) Pineal, pituitary and hypothalamus.
Stage 5: A kind of Polarization happens in
the spine, which results in the Vrati’s gross and
subtle bodies getting transformed into a cosmic
powerhouse. This can also lead to the awakening
of the latent psychic energy popularly known as
the Kundalini Shakti.
Stage 6: The body of Vrati (devotee)
becomes a channel, which conducts, recycles and
transmits the energy into the entire universe.
Bringing to the fore the jubilation and
festive gaiety of the people that transcends all
the artificial social and economic barriers, the
festival is more of a sacrifice which entails
purificatory performance.
23
 Glimpses of Chhath Puja

24
25
Glimpses of Chhath Puja

26
27
Glimpses of Chhath Puja
 Worship of Sun god (Chhath Puja)
Blessings for Liberated Untouchables

Published by: Printed by:

Ram Chandra Jha Xtreme Office Aids (Pvt.) Ltd.
for Sulabh International Social Service Organisation WZ-219A, Street No. 7,
RZ-83, Mahavir Enclave, Lajwanti Garden,
Palam-Dabri Road, New Delhi-110045 New Delhi-110046
Phone: +91-11-25031518, 25031519, Phone : +91-11-28523637
Fax: +91-11-25034014 E-mail : xtremeofficeaids@gmail.com
Email : sulabhinfo@gmail.com xtreme1@rediffmail.com
sulabhinfo1@gmail.com
Website: sulabhinternational.org/
sulabhtoiletmuseum.org