Quick Jumplinks to Navigate
If there is any festival when Bihar people do not want to stay in their houses then it’s surely Chhath Puja. The four-day-long festival of Chhath Pooja is an ages-old tradition that even has its name in the holy scriptures of Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is observed on Kartik Shukla Shashti and takes place six days after Diwali.
Celebrated to worship the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, this festival is believed to bring prosperity, health, and safety to the devotees. Since the festival is celebrated six days after Diwali, it is said that the day when Ramrajya was established (six days after Diwali), Ram and Sita celebrated the Chhath Pooja as well.
Considering the Mahabharata, even Karna, Draupadi and all other Pandavas performed all the rituals. However, to help Karna spread this ritual, various ladies came in front and tried to help, which further made it a “women only” ritual.
Overall, the rituals of this festival have been carried out for ages, therefore it has a lot of essence in the lives of the Bihari people as well as the people living around the city.
Why is Chhath Puja Celebrated?
The Chhath Puja is celebrated to worship the Sun god, who is believed to be the one who gives energy to living beings. Dating back to the Dwaparyuga, this Puja has its origin back to late history.
The fact that this Puja is away from all types of casteism and inequality has made it very famous among tourists. Be it poor or rich, everyone prepares the same prasad and everyone takes a dip at the same ghat.
In this festival, the married women of the house take up fasting and following rituals to ensure health and wealth for their families. While the Sun God represents strength and energy, the Chhathi Maiya represents riches and prosperity.
The Four Days of Chhath Pooja:
1. First Day
The first day of this ritual is known as “Nahay-Khay”, which literally translates to bathing and eating. On this day, the whole family takes a dip into the holy water, followed by cleaning their homes as well.
Once thorough cleaning work is done, the freshly prepared meals are kept in front of the god, which is further eaten by the people as “prasad”. On this day, the preparations of “Thekua” and other homemade savories start which leave the whole house smelling like a bakery.
2. Second Day
The second day of this ritual is also known as “Kharna”, which means fasting in the regional language. On this day, the women of the house are on a strict fasting routine, in which they don’t even consume a single drop of water. Apart from this, the women are expected to not touch any kind of dirty item, be it clothes or even utensils.
On the second day, a dish called Tasmai and Puri is prepared which is served to the whole family. A similar meal is eaten in the evening by the ones holding the vrat(fast) and they are required to keep some leftovers, which is further divided into the family like a prasad.
3. Third Day
Day 3 of Chhath Puja is also known as the “Sandhya Arhgya” and on this day, the one who is fasting decorates the food and fruit baskets made of bamboo, which is further taken to the ghats.
On the Ghat, each devotee offers arghya to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya after which they head back to their homes to have prasad. As soon as the night comes, songs of goddesses are sung, followed by the recitation of vrat katha.
4. Fourth Day
Also known as the “Usha Arghya”, this day begins with rising before the sun and heading to the riverbanks to perform poojas. Once the sun starts rising, arghya is offered while hoping for the protection of children and prosperity. After this, the fasting ends with having some prasad on the ghat.
Where to celebrate?
As you visit Bihar to witness the Chhath Puja, make sure that you plan your vacation 6 days after Diwali, according to the Hindu calendar. The months of October and November are the ones when this festival has been witnessed in the past years. This year, Chhath Puja rituals will start from 8th November 2021, and for the next year, the date will be 30th October 2022.
While many places in Bihar are known for the carnival-like festival of Chhath Puja, places including Patna, Darbhanga, and Bhagalpur top the list with their happy vibes and pious surroundings. By opting for a Darbhanga Chhath Puja Tour, you can take yourself towards the views of thousands of devotees praying to god around Dighi Lake, Gangasagar Lake, and Harahi Lake.
To make your Chhath Puja Trip even more fun-filled and joyous, you can head out on various other tours in which you can explore places like the Patna Museum, heritage sites of Vaishali, and the famous village of Madhubani.
Additionally, you can also opt for the Royal family meeting tour Darbhanga and can spend a day with the royals.
Where to Stay?
From resorts to hotels and even homestays, you will find a wide range of stay options available in Bihar. The array is so big that it might confuse you and hence we have jotted down a few options, which are considered to be the best places to stay in Bihar.
1. Hotels
Lemon Tree Premier, Patna
If you wish to have 5-star luxury accommodation at a budget-friendly price then there is no place better for you than the Lemon Tree Premium. This glass-doored resort with its beautiful architecture, perfect offerings, and close proximity to the famous attractions has become a top choice of the masses.
Stay at: Lemon Tree Premium
Amalfi Grand, Patna
With its finely crafted and decorated rooms and the wide array of facilities, the Amalfi Grand has become one of the best places to stay in Patna. From free WiFi to airport transfers, this place will offer every kind of facility to you.
2. Homestays
Ira Homestay, Patna
Providing you with a feeling of home away from home, Ira Homestay is one of those properties which will load your vacation with bundles of facilities and amenities. With a capacity of 8 guests, this stay becomes the perfect place to plan a family vacation at.
Plan Your Stay at: Ira Homestay Patna
Nami Homestay, Patna
This homestay will provide you with some of the best available facilities. What more? This homestay is located at the heart of the city and offers mesmerising sunset views.
