Chhath Puja Message – Nature and environment belong to everyone, let’s protect them
Dharmendra Jha, Nepal News Bank
Chhath is gradually moving towards internationalization not only nationally. At present, this great festival is celebrated everywhere in the world where there are Baithili and Bhojpuri speakers. This festival, which is mainly related to sun worship, is associated with nature worship. It is not unusual to say that through this festival, gratitude is expressed to nature, which is the giver of life, the sustainer of life. Not only this, Chhath is also a festival where human beings show favor towards the Sun, who is accepted as a direct awakened deity, in the absence of which the operation of this world is not possible. Not only this, Chhath also gives the message of pollution control and environmental protection.
The sun is worshiped in many countries and many cultures of the world, but the cultural festival of worshiping the setting sun is probably only Chhath. In such a situation, it is not only the worship of the rising power but also the worship of the past power due to which this creation has reached today, i. e. the setting power. The central worship element of this festival is the sun. The sun is considered to be power. On this basis, this festival is also the festival of power. The sun is the center of energy. Nature and creation are governed by this energy. In the absence of energy, life cannot operate. On this basis, Chhath festival is also important as a festival of grace towards the sun.
Many people may be curious, worship of the Sun God and the address is Chhathi Mata. In this regard, it can be analyzed that Chhath has been accepted as a symbol of nature. Since this festival is celebrated on the sixth day, it is possible that this festival may have changed from Shashthi to Chhath over time. In this analysis, Shashthi, Chhathi and Prakriti became synonymous with each other and the possibility that the form of the goddess was created in the public mind cannot be ruled out when these three words are accepted as feminine. Another belief is also discussed. Chhath is also called the Manasputri of Lord Brahma.
There is another belief that the Sun has two wives, Usha and Sandhya. As discussed above, in a way, the Sun is the central basis of this festival. Every effort of the worshippers and followers of this festival is focused on making the Sun happy. How to please the Sun? There is also a belief in the society that the Sun God is automatically happy when he makes his wives happy. On this basis, it is also understood that worshiping the setting sun means worshiping Sandhya and worshiping the rising sun means worshiping Usha. There can be many such beliefs in the society. The analysis can be one’s own. It is not necessary to discuss all of them here now. The truth is that Chhath festival is celebrated with great reverence, devotion, dedication, and enthusiasm and this festival is completed in four days.
This festival is celebrated every year on the evening of Shukla Shashthi (Prados Shashthi) and on the morning of Saptami by offering oblations to the sun. As usual, this year also this festival has started. This festival, which starts with bathing on Friday (Kartik 27), will formally start the fast on Saturday by the devotees. On Sunday (29th), the evening offerings are being made to the Sun God and on Monday, the festival will conclude with the ceremony of Parana.
Also discussed above, Mahaparva Chhath has not been limited to one geography in recent times but has become of national and international importance. Today, this festival is also celebrated in America, Australia, Britain and various countries of Europe. In the context of Nepal, this festival is not limited to a particular geography today. In the past, Maithili÷Bhojpuri speakers, who had gone to different parts of the country in terms of various responsibilities, professions, and employment, started celebrating this festival there as per their convenience and played a role in making this festival of national importance. In recent days, this festival has been celebrated in various places from Panchthar and Taplejung in the eastern hills to Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces in the west.
It has been many years since the country’s capital Kathmandu has been celebrated grandly in various lakes and ponds of the valley. This festival, which was celebrated in the Kitipur, Balkhu, Kalimati, and Kuleshwor areas of the valley in the 2020-30s, has expanded to the entire valley in the last year, which shows the acceptance of this festival and its potential for cultural integration. And, on this basis, it is not irrelevant to say that this festival has become an important symbol of building national unity in recent times.
It is not certain when this festival started being celebrated. If we analyze the method of worship of this festival, it can be found that this festival is mainly related to the worship of nature. This festival is celebrated by worshiping the sun by being present in water bodies such as reservoirs, rivers, ponds, lakes, and lakes. During the celebration of the festival, special attention is paid to the purity and cleanliness of water resources and related areas. This act of purity and cleanliness gives the message that water is life-giving and its conservation and purity is indispensable for the welfare of creation. The items offered in this festival are also based on nature. Such as sugarcane, vot and other agri-food items available at that time. This also teaches a lesson to respect nature. That is, in essence, the process. It can be believed that the main purpose of this festival is to spread the message of protection of the environment.
Mainly in the central and eastern Terai-Madhesh of Nepal, the great festival of Chhath is celebrated by worshiping the rising and setting sun. In this festival, it is believed that the setting sun inspires us to remember the past and introspect ourselves and the rising sun inspires us to build a beautiful and healthy future. This festival is celebrated with reverence as a festival of health, wellness, progeny and well-being, and the progress and protection of the family. This is also confirmed by the presence analysis of Chhath Puja. Just as the sun and nature do not discriminate against anyone, similarly, the Chhath festival also does not discriminate against anyone. It does not prohibit anyone in worship and worship. Only Madhesis are not present at the Chhath Ghat.
Only Hindus are not present. Only the affluent, rich and well-to-do do not participate. There is no untouchability on the basis of caste. There should be no discrimination in the faith of Chhath festival. The message of Chhath festival is that everyone should live with self-respect and dignity.
In short, the message of this festival can also be understood as follows:
– It is a festival of social unity. It does not prohibit anyone in any name.
– This festival does not prohibit anyone on the basis of any religion, language, community, caste, untouchability. It does not discriminate.
-Chhath has given the message of building a meaningful society by including all.
– This festival acknowledges the existence, importance and participation of everyone in the society. The use of materials prepared by the so-called lowest class of the society in Chhath and offering it to the Sun God is an example of this.
– This festival advocates in favor of the matriarchal concept of family and society. Every decision regarding the conduct of Chhath festival is made by the head of the house. Offerings to the Sun are also made by the women head of the house.
– It emphasizes the importance of purity, cleanliness and cleanliness, which are essential for health and wellness.
– This festival has also given the message of balance and conservation of the environment, which is necessary for the animal kingdom. The purpose of respect for nature is to raise public awareness regarding the protection of the environment.
– Nature belongs to everyone. It is a collective heritage. The message of this festival is that everyone should be able to use it and no one should be deprived of the good use of nature on any grounds.
– This festival has given an important message that water is life.
– This festival also contains the message that the rays of the sun in the morning and evening are good for human health.
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्
