Chhath 2024: A Glimpse Of Jharkhand Celebrating The Auspicious Festival

People of Jharkhand have a particular place in their hearts for Chhath Puja.  Chhath Puja is a magnificent display of faith and devotion. Once a part of Bihar, Jharkhand is a state with a long history that preserves the rich cultural heritage of its predecessor. The lavish celebration of Chhath Puja is a festival that cuts across national and cultural borders. 

Bengalis, known for their sweets, celebrate chhath with pantua, rasgulla, and more. Tribes honour the Sun God as a source of life; devoting beyond sugarcane; by incorporating native fruits and plants into their ceremonies. 

The celebration promotes a sense of cohesion and solidarity. This fortifies ties between various communities. People who fast, pray, and give prayers to the Sun God together develop a sense of community and friendship. 

"We celebrate Chhath Puja as a sacred bond with nature, a tradition that echoes our tribal roots," said Jaya Tirki, a resident of Chadri. “We develop a profound respect for the environment that supports us due to the rituals' connection to the Earth, the Sun, and the divine forces. It's more than just a festival; it's a sincere show of appreciation and balance with the natural forces that shape our lives,” she adds.

Traditional Bhojpuri food is a major celebration component with its focus on flavour and simplicity. The region's rich heritage is reflected in the cuisine, from the prasad preparation to the festive meals. It's a time when communities come together, celebrating the power of faith, tradition, and unity. Keep on reading!

Know More About Chhath 

An old Indo-Nepalese Hindu holiday is Chhath. Prayers are offered to the solar deity Surya during Chhath Puja to express gratitude for the blessings of life on Earth and to ask that specific wishes be fulfilled.

During the festival, people worship Chhathi Maiya, Prakriti's sixth form and Surya's sister. It is known as Surya Shashti Vrata because it is observed on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika (October or November) in the Hindu calendar, six days after Deepavali. Every devotee makes the same offerings and prasada (religious food).

Environmentalists regard the Chhath festival as one of the world's most environmentally friendly religious celebrations.

Recognising Days and Significance Of Chhath

Since the Sun is believed to be visible to all beings and the source of life for all things on Earth, Chhath puja is devoted to the Sun God, Surya. On this day, Chhathi Maiya and the Sun God are worshipped.

Day 1: Nahaay Khaay

This is the first day of Chhath Puja. The Parvaitin usually cooks Sattvik Lauki Bhaat. This preparation is served to the deity called Bhog in the afternoon. This commences the Parvo and is the last supper of the Parvaitin during Chhath Puja. The food is then eaten to guard the mind from thoughts of revenge.

Day 2: Rasiaav-Roti/Kharna/Lohanda

The second day of Chhath Puja is called Kharna, sometimes called Rasiaav-Roti or Lohanda. The devotees abstain from all liquids on this day in observance of worship. They share Roti and gur ke kheer (jaggery-based kheer), also known as Rasiaav, in the evening.

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya

On this day, the Prasada (offerings) are prepared at home and often include rice laddus, Thekua, and a bamboo basket adorned with Jharkhand’s native fruits. During Arghya, Surya is offered Gangajal water, and the Chhathi Maiya is worshipped with Prasada. After worshipping the Sun God, Chhath songs are sung at night, and the Vrat Katha is read. Five to seven sugarcanes are tied together to create a mandap, and twelve to twenty-four Diya lamps are burned beneath it while thekua and other seasonal fruits are served. 

Day 4: Usha Arghya

Following prayer, devotees break their fast with a little prasad and water as part of the Paran or Parana ritual. This ceremony highlights the link between family well-being and divine graces as a sign of gratitude and spiritual closure.

Popular Delicacies In Jharkhand During Chhath 

Puri

Puri is a popular dish during Chhath Puja. The puris, traditionally made with wheat flour and ghee and served with various cuisines like aloo bhaji and kaddu ki sabzi, are considered sacred since they are produced with extreme care as part of the deities' long-standing tributes. Because of its lightness, it complements the prasad well and has a well-balanced flavour.

Kaddu Ki Sabzi

During Chhath Puja, kaddu ki sabzi, a straightforward pumpkin curry made with moderate spices, is sometimes eaten with puris. This meal is typically made without onions or garlic to preserve its purity, and the pumpkin is said to provide warmth and nourishment. Kaddu ki sabzi is a modest and reassuring complement to the Chhath Puja dinner because of its naturally sweet taste and delicately spiced flavour.

Gur Ki Roti

The jaggery-flavoured flatbread known as gur ki roti is one of the lesser-known offerings made during Chhath Puja. These rotis are sweet because they are made with wheat flour and jaggery; fennel seeds are typically added to add a little more aroma. Gur ki roti symbolises the devotee's thankfulness, faith, simplicity, and love. A component of prasad, the earthy feel that the sweet taste of jaggery imparts to the roti is pleasant.

Thekua

Without thekua, the festival's favourite sweet offering, the Chhath Puja celebration would not be complete. These are prepared by frying whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee until they are crispy and golden brown. At the event, Thekua represents purity in the simplicity of sacrifices to the Sun God. Thekua's use of jaggery enhances its sweetness while maintaining its nutritional content, making it a delicious and healthful snack.

Kasar Laddu

During Chhath Puja, kasar laddu, also called khajur laddu, is a sweet delicacy made with roasted rice flour, ghee, and jaggery. These laddus have an earthy flavour and a slight sweetness and are compact and solid. They are prepared in advance and renowned for their lengthy shelf life. To Chhathi Maiya, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, kasar laddus are prasad.

Kheer 

A big item in the Chhath Puja rites is rice kheer, a creamy and soothing rice pudding. Rice, milk, and sugar or jaggery are used to make kheer. To add richness, cardamom flavour and a nut garnish are popular. Kheer serves as a prasad to represent the benefits of the gods and is a mark of devotion and thankfulness.

Dahi Chuda

A straightforward but traditional meal, dahi chuda is an important part of the food offerings for Chhath Puja. It is prepared by mixing curd (dahi) with flattened rice (chuda or poha), and it is occasionally sweetened with sugar or jaggery. This dish, which is light and refreshing, is frequently eaten during the early morning Chhath Puja rites. Dahi Chuda, well-known for its cooling qualities and simplicity of preparation, represents simplicity and purity, which is exactly in line with the spirit of the celebration. It is an essential dish for the Chhath Puja celebrations since it is both nutritional and spiritual.

Hara Chana

Green chickpeas are an important component of Chath Puja cuisine and are frequently offered to the Sun God throughout the ceremonies. Usually served as a savoury dish, these green chickpeas are boiled or softly sautéed. In addition to being nourishing, hara chana is a significant part of the event since it represents the harvest season and the connection to nature. This dish, a component of the prasad or feast, embodies the purity and simplicity that characterise Chhath Puja.

Arsa

Arsa is a traditional dessert that is opular among Jharkhand's tribal groups. This meal has a distinct chewy texture and a rich, earthy sweetness since it is made with rice flour, jaggery, and ghee. On holidays like Chhath Puja, when offers of simple, pure sweets are preferred to show gratitude and devotion to the Sun God, arsa is served. Arsa, which is mostly made in tribal and rural homes symbolises Jharkhand's rich cultural legacy, unites generations with its age-old recipe.

Pantua 

Often referred to as the Bengali equivalent of gulab jamun, pantua is a syrup-soaked treat prepared with semolina and chhena. It is fried till golden and then covered in sugar syrup. During Chhath Puja, Pantua is a popular dessert in parts of Jharkhand, especially served to Bengali families that celebrate the event in their special ways. Pantua's presence at Chhath showcases diversity by bringing communities together in happiness and sweetness.

Native Fruits During Chhath Puja In Jharkhand

Fruits are an essential part of the offerings given to the Sun God during Chhath Puja. During the ceremonies, these fruits—for wealth, well-being, and purity—are placed in the soup, a traditional bamboo basket. The following is a list of necessary fruits for Chhath Puja offerings:

1. Green coconut lemon, or dab nimbu, is a necessary offering that represents purity and freshness and is well-known for its cooling qualities.
2. An essential component of soop (bamboo basket) offerings, long sugarcane stalks symbolise strength and prosperity.
3. Symbolising fertility and abundance, a whole bunch of bananas is always part of the offerings.
4. During Chhath Puja, panifal, also known as water chestnut, is frequently offered raw as a symbol of the earth and water elements.
5. A staple of Chhath Puja, coconuts are offered whole and symbolise purity. They are frequently positioned above other offerings.
6. A significant component of the offerings, supari (betel nut) represents fertility, prosperity, and good fortune.

These fruits can also be made into delicious fruit chats, smoothies and toppings to try something new after the Chhath puja. You can turn leftover fruit juices into ice cubes for refresher drinks after the celebrations. 

"The lively blending of tribal customs with Chhath traditions promises to create a unique and enriching cultural experience," stated Rajesh Tudu of Madhukum. “In addition to fostering closer links across groups, the inclusive festival highlights the splendour of India's diverse cultural heritage,” he adds.