Chhath Puja 2023: Hyderabadis Seek Sun God's Blessings

Hyderabad: Hyderabad's Bihari community grapples with challenges hindering the splendor of Chhath Puja celebrations in the city as the vibrant and spiritually significant festival unfolds nationwide. Dedicated to the worship of Surya Dev, the Sun God, Chhath Puja spans four days, involving rituals of holy bathing, fasting, and offerings to the rising and setting sun.

Commencing on 17th November 2023, with the observance of Nahay Khay, wherein women partake in the Chhath vrat with a solitary meal and devotees engage in a sacred bath, the Bihari community in Hyderabad expresses reservations about the subdued atmosphere and the absence of special arrangements in the city, in contrast to the elaborate celebrations witnessed in other regions such as Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, and Uttar Pradesh.

Rakesh Kumar Shah, a resident of Chapra district in Bihar and a security guard at the University of Hyderabad, sheds light on the restrained Chhath Puja festivities in the city. "I do not witness any fanfare for Chhath Puja here in Hyderabad. The lack of ponds and lakes could be a demotivating factor. The absence of special arrangements and enthusiasm by authorities compels us to return to our hometowns during this festival," says Shah.

Reflecting on his experience living in Patancheru from 2008 to 2015, Shah notes that while people would come out to celebrate, the scale never reached the magnitude seen during Ganesh Chaturthi. Despite a significant Bihari community in Hyderabad, he observes that the scale of celebration pales in comparison to the fervour witnessed in other parts of the country.

The second day of Chhath Puja, Kharna, falls on 18th November 2023, and is characterised by a waterless fast from sunrise to sunset. Devotees break their fast and offer food to the Sun God only after sunset. The third-day rituals of Sandhya Arghya on 19th November 2023, feature offerings to the sun at dusk, with a fast continuing through the night.

The culmination of Chhath Puja, Usha Arghya or Parana Day, is scheduled for 20th November 2023. This day is dedicated to offering Arghya to the rising sun, and the 36-hour fast is broken after expressing gratitude to the Sun God.

Deeply rooted in the history of the Indian subcontinent, Chhath Puja is celebrated with fervour in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal. Devotees express gratitude to Surya Dev for life's blessings and seek the fulfilment of special wishes during this ancient Hindu festival.

While enthusiasm for Chhath Puja is evident in various parts of the country, the Bihari community in Hyderabad faces challenges that dampen the festivities. The lack of water bodies, special arrangements, and the absence of widespread enthusiasm in the city compel many to journey back to their hometowns to celebrate this auspicious occasion in its full glory.