BIHAR FESTIVALS

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  The state of Bihar enjoys a vast Hindu majority and at the same time the Muslims are very less in number. Most of them migrated to Pakistan and Bangladesh at the time of partition. Christians, although proportional to the whole population a small minority, are very large in absolute numbers. Many beautiful Catholic and Protestant church buildings dot the landscape of towns in Bihar. Special mention may be made of Patna and Ranchi. As a result, one can find Hindu festivals being celebrated with enjoyment and good cheer.

        Some of them are: Holi, Saraswati Puja, Durga Puja or Dusserah, Deepavali, Bhaiya Dooj, etc. But there is one festival that is uniquely associated with Bihar, and that is the festival of Chhath. One can also find a sizable Sikh population. They are now an integral part of the Bihari population. The Harmandir Takht, the gurudwara that commemorates Guru Gobind Singh, is a sacred place of pilgrimage for the Sikhs. To the Sikhs this holy place is reverentially known as Patna Sahib. Festivals of all these religions are, of course, observed in Bihar.

CHHATH
         There is one Hindu festival that is that is known for its unique association to the state of Bihar, and that is the festival of Chhath. This is observed mostly by the people of North Bihar. It is devoted to the worship of the Sun God. It is, therefore, also known as SuryaShashti. The festival begins on the sixth day of the month of Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar. This corresponds to the period beginning from late October to mid November, depending upon the year. It is one of the holiest festivals for Biharis and extends four days long. Details of each day are elaborately given below:

• Day 1
  Devotees take a cleansing dip - preferably in the holy river of Ganges - and bring river water to prepare the offerings.
• Day 2
  A fast is observed for the whole day and in late evening, the devotees, after performing a worship at home, break their fast. The offerings - typically a porridge of rice, puris (deep fried puffs of wheat flour) and bananas - are shared among family and visiting friends and relatives.
• Day 3
  It is spent in the preparation of offerings at home during the day. In the evening the devotees move to a river bank (or a pond) with the entire family and friends. There the offerings are made to the setting sun. At nightfall, the devotees along with the family and friends return home where another colorful celebration takes place. Under a canopy of sugar cane sticks, clay elephants containing earthen lamps, and containers full of the offerings, are placed. There the fire god is worshipped. Devotees maintain a strict fast without even water.
• Day 4
  A procession similar to that conducted on the third day is continued. Devotees, family and friends, move again to the river bank. Offerings are made to the rising sun. At the completion of the offerings, there is great celebration. The devotees break their fast and the rich offerings are made available to the family, friends, relatives and the onlookers! The offerings are also very characteristic. They are: a deep fried and sweet rolls of stone ground wheat flour, grapefruit, whole coconuts, bananas, and grains of lentils. These items are contained in small, somewhat semicircular, pans woven out of bamboo strips. Chhath is a very colorful festival. New clothes are a must for the devotees. And the family also are dressed in their finest on the visit to the river. There is much music and a lot of singing of folk songs, both at home and on the river bank. In Patna, literally millions of people throng the banks of the river Ganges for miles. There is much gaiety even among so much piety. This day brings an end to the four day festival that is indeed a great fiesta for a part of Bihar.