The festival of Chhath Parva was marked during the first week of November. Originating from Bihar and parts of neighbouring states this festival is dedicated to Shashti Devi (Chhathi Maiya) and Surya Deva. Chhath involves a set of very rigorous personal disciplines spanning 4 days. In addition to a 36-hour waterless fast, those observing must make offerings (arghya) to the setting and then the rising sun whilst standing in a body of water. With the growing diaspora of Hindus from Bihar, Eastern UP and Jharkhand, Chhath is now being marked across the Western world. Here in Britain, @bihariconnect_uk held a public Chhath event in West London (see image)
Chhath is one of the most iconic festivals of Bihar and so in addition to its spiritual importance, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the unique Hindu traditions of Bihar. During the second day of this year’s Chhath, singer Sharda Sinha tragically passed away in Delhi. Though a tragic loss, the timing of Sharda Sinha’s death is very poignant as in recent decades her voice has come to be associated with sentiments of this festival. Sharda Sinha, an award-winning folk singer, recorded and popularised the many Bhojpuri folk songs sung during Chhath.