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Chhath Puja: Four days of devotion and festivity for Biharis across the world

The uniqueness of this festival is that it unites the whole family who travel back from across the globe just to celebrate Chhath Puja with their dear ones.

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Chhath Puja 2022

Diwali is done and dusted. While the rest of India bids adieu to the festive season, it’s the beginning of the most-anticipated festival for Bihar, Chhath Puja. This year, the festival will be observed from October 28 to 31.

The preparations for Chhath Puja begin three months before the festival. From the hustle-bustle of arranging train tickets to Bihar from the varied metros and their satellite towns to selecting outfits for each of the four Chhath days, the festival of homecoming is an emotion and more for people who are proud to be Biharis. Of them the lucky ones are those who manage to get tickets while others get by in unreserved compartments and even in reserved compartments, bearing the pejoratives and insults thrown at them, for home is where Chhath will be celebrated in Bihar. Some even break their journeys across random many mofussil locations in Uttar Pradesh for that one train ride home.

And not to forget the vibe and togetherness one witnesses on trains and flights while travelling back to Bihar. The view on the railway platforms and airports itself can give one the goosebumps.

Though the festival is associated with Biharis, it is celebrated vividly and with the same exuberance in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and some parts of Nepal.

Chhath Puja is a carnival of devotion which attracts all Biharis across the world towards it more potently than a magnet. The aroma of thekuas and gud wali kheer, Shardha Sinha’s Chhath geet, vibrantly decorated streets and ghats, the festival lasts four days. It starts with Nahay Khay and concludes with Usha Arghya. Chhath is dedicated to the Sun God and devotees worship Chhathi Maiya, Shashthi Devi, the mother goddess and the Sun’s sister.

According to Hindu mythology, Chhathi Maiya protects one’s offspring and provides longevity to them. The festival is for expressing gratitude to the Sun for bestowing the fortune of life. No Sun, no rain, no Sun, no grain, no Sun, no moon, no Sun, nothing!

Chhath Puja rituals

Nahay Khay

The first day of Chhath Puja begins with Nahay Khay and will be celebrated on October 28 this year. On this day, devotees, also called Vratis, clean their bodies and their houses and then eat a heavenly meal prepared without onion and garlic. The meal has bhaat, channe ki daal, daal kaddu ki sabzi, aloo gobhi ki sabzi, and dhaniya chutney that strikes the right chords in the heart and is gentle on the tummy and is like a warm hug for Biharis who migrated to other states for a better standard of life.

Kharna

The second day of Chhath Puja falls on October 29 this year. Kharna involves a strict fast wherein Vratis avoid water. This day is a hectic one as it goes by preparing prasad that consists gud wali kheer (kheer of jaggery), doodh wali kheer, rotis, and rice balls. All the prasad is prepared on earthen chulhas which add their magic of aroma and taste.

Sandhya Arghya

Chhath Puja is synonymous with thekuas and Sandhya Arghya is the day when Vratis begin preparing the delicacy, not only for themselves but also for their children to distribute it to their friends and colleagues after they return to their respective work states. The day will be celebrated on October 30. In the evening, the Vratis worship the setting Sun or the dusk. The family members of the Vrati offer milk and water to the dawn. Chhath is the only festival where devotees worship the setting Sun, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an old video.

Watch the video here:

Usha Arghya

This is the last day of the Mahaparv and will be observed on October 31. Usha Arghya begins at 3 am with Vratis reaching river banks or ghats to worship the rising Sun or the dawn. The rituals of Sandhya Argya and Usha Arghya are the same and this is the day when Vratis break their fast after 3-long days. It is also known as Prana, which refers to the end of fasting.

Prana is also like a feast with meals cooked without onion and garlic.

Chhath Puja ends after 4-long days of fasting and family gatherings. The uniqueness of this festival is that it unites the whole family who travel back from across the globe just to celebrate Chhath Puja with their dear ones.

What also remains the soul of Chhath Puja is the folk songs sung by the women of the house. This adds positivity and fun to the occasion. With the bundle full of thekuas and memories, Biharis travel back only yearning to return for Chhath Puja next year and worrying about the train tickets!

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Festivals

Happy Eid-ul-Fitr 2024: Eid Mubarak pictures, greetings, cards, quotes and images

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close with the sighting of the crescent moon and the month-long fasting from sunrise to sunset comes to an end, Eid-ul-Fitr, the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, is celebrated with much enthusiasm.

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April 11, 2024

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The joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr is finally here as most of the Indian states are celebrating one of the most important Muslim festivals today on April 11 upon sighting of the crescent moon on April 10. Festivities are in air as Muslims gear up to celebrate the special occasion, eagerly anticipating the joyful reunions with family and friends, the delectable feasts shared with loved ones, and the heartfelt prayers offered in gratitude for the blessings of the past month.

Every Muslim household is decorated beautifully with lanterns, twinkling lights and flowers on this day with people dressing up in their best of clothes to meet relatives and friends and wish them Eid Mubarak! Not to mention the elaborate meal spread consisting of biryani, haleem, kebabs, sheer khurma, meethi sevaiyan that will be enjoyed with family, served to guests and also distributed to poor and needy. Children of the household receive Eidi, a gift or cash from elders in the family.

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close with the sighting of the crescent moon and the month-long fasting from sunrise to sunset comes to an end, Eid-ul-Fitr, the first day of the month of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar, is celebrated with much enthusiasm.

Eid Mubarak Quotes

Let us be grateful to Allah for all the love, happiness, compassion and peace we receive throughout these challenging times. Eid Mubarak.

 Eid ul Adha is not only about sacrificing an animal before sacrificing, we have to put a knife on your pride, your selfishness, and your ego as well, and slater the animals living inside your heart, our brain, our thoughts and personality, so we can achieve the real meaning of Eid ul Adha, may Allah accept all our good deeds and sacrifice. Happy Eid.

Ask God all you need, Wish you a happy Eid

Let our religions unite us for human kindness rather than dividing us on what we believe. Eid Mubarak.

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Festivals

Happy Easter 2024: Political leaders extend greetings to nation for peace and unity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Easter on Sunday and expressed his hope that the message of renewal and optimism associated with the occasion would resonate widely.

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3 weeks ago

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March 31, 2024

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Easter also known as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday. This Christian festival symbolises the victory of life over death .

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Easter on Sunday and expressed his hope that the message of renewal and optimism associated with the occasion would resonate widely. PM Modi took to X and posted that May this day inspire us all to come together, fostering unity and peace. He wished everyone a joyful Easter.

President Droupadi Murmu also greeted the people on Easter and highlighted the occasion of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, promotes the spirit of love, hope and universal fraternity. President Droupadi Murmu took to X and posted Easter greetings to all, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters! This pious occasion of celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, promotes the spirit of love, hope, and universal fraternity. May the teachings of Jesus Christ lead us onto the path of peace and harmony.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and wrote we extend our warmest greetings on the joyous occasion of Easter. The eternal significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection is that truth triumphs over evil and compassion overcomes hatred. May the festivities strengthen the bonds of unity, amity and fraternity amongst our people and herald a brighter future.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to X and posted Happy Easter! As you celebrate Easter Sunday with your loved ones, may joy, peace, and hope illuminate the path ahead.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X to extend greetings on Easter and wrote Greetings and best wishes to everyone on the joyous occasion of Easter. May this revered day bring new beginnings, hopes and harmony in your life.

Union Minister Kiren Rijju took to X and posted Happy and Blessed Easter to all! Wishing everyone peace, joy and unity.

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Festivals

Good Friday 2024: PM Modi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Mamata Banerjee extend greetings

Good Friday is celebrated as the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. Devotees attend church services on Good Friday and observe fasting, abstinence, readings centred on the events of Jesus’s crucifixion.

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March 29, 2024

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Good Friday is observed on Friday preceding Easter Sunday. It is primarily commemorated to honour the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent death at Cavalry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of Good Friday.

He remembered the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and underscoring lessons of compassion and forgiveness it imparts. He took to X and posted that today, on Good Friday, we remember the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ. May everyone find lessons of compassion and forgiveness it teaches us.

Union Minister Kiren Rijju also took to X on the occasion and wrote on the auspicious occasion of Good Friday, let’s remember the supreme sacrifice and love that guides us towards compassion, love, forgiveness and unity. May this Good Friday be a time of reflection, renewal, and grace for all.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also joined in and wrote wishing all my Christian Brothers and Sisters a graceful & blessed Good Friday. May this holy day of penance, prayers and Sacrifice inspire us all to live a life of compassion, love and peace.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote wishing you all a blessed Good Friday. May the spirit of compassion, forgiveness, sacrifice and empathy keep guiding our path. Let us imbibe the spirit of humanity, kindness, and peace, amongst us.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to X and wrote May this Good Friday enrich your lives with love, and enlighten your path with compassion and kindness.

Across the nation, Good Friday was marked by prayers and processions depicting the Stations of the Cross, symbolising the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  According to reports, devotees in Thiruvanthpuram participated in a procession to Saint Joseph’s Cathedral, with Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor among those in attendance.

The observance of Good Friday holds significant importance in the Christian faith, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ at Calvary. It serves as the beginning of Easter weekend, a time of reflection, renewal, and grace for millions around the world.

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