Believed also to be celebrated by the people of the ancient Mithila region, Chhath is a part of a series of agricultural festivals, such as Tihar and Maghe Sankranti and other post-harvest events.
C.K Lal, a well-known commentator, elaborates.[break]
“If seen in sociological and anthropological contexts, Dashain has elements of a hunter-and-gatherer society, where animals are sacrificed. While Tihar is a celebration that belongs to a settled community where domestic animals are worshipped, Chhath was introduced with the onset of commerce. People started realizing the need of commercializing their local products, and the festival became one of the mediums to serve that purpose.”
Premarshi concurs. Offerings include sugarcane, different types of spices, ginger, banana and other food items.
“These food items should be offered in locally produced bamboo baskets,” informs Premarshi. Traditionally, the Dom community of Tarai region prepared the bamboo baskets.
“Caste system in Terai communities was divided on the basis of professions, which is still prevalent,” observes Premarshi. And the festival served as a common ground, where people of different professions gathered to put their products on sale.
“Usually, people set up haat bazaar (market fairs) near the banks of rivers and ponds, where people gather to pay their respects to the sun,” informs Premarshi.
According to him, there is a slump in the trend of setting up such haat bazaar at present. However, there are communities who still make living out of selling these items.
In one of his articles, Vijay Prasad Kesari, an environment specialist, writes about the Dom and Kumhar families of the Gaur Municipality still engaged in their traditional profession and generally make enough money that helps them sustain for six months by selling their works during Chhath.
The writer further throws light on the festival. “The Sathi Dhan – a local variety of black paddy – which almost disappeared from the market is found only during the Chhath Puja. Actually, some farmers cultivate Sathi Dhan to get good money during the Puja.”
Apart from the commercial aspects linked with the festival, environmental and other societal facets have also been associated with it.
While most of the festivals are family affairs, Chhath is a community festival, points out commentator Lal. The festival acts as a medium for social integrity.
“Rivers and ponds are cleaned and decorated with lights and flowers as the puja takes place near the water bodies,” points out Premarshi. One such example of decoration and cleaning effort can be seen in Rani Pokhari at Jamal, Kathmandu.
Premarshi, however, laments that such underlying reasons of the festival have been overshadowed by myths and religious factors. And even if cleaning efforts are made, it lacks continuity and is just limited to makeshift patterns. “Otherwise, rivers like Bagmati, would’ve remained clean,” surmises the culture researcher.
This year, President Dr Ram Baran Yadav will pay his visit to the banksof the Bagmati River in Kupondole to celebrate Chhath.
Celebrated for four days by different communities, mainly of the Terai, the festival this year commenced on November 10.
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Chhath festival being observed today
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