Abstract

In India, festivals such as Chhath Puja, Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, and others are significant to its cultural identity. They promote social harmony and gender equality. These festivals feature equal participation from men and women, fostering an inclusive environment that promotes community bonds.  Sustaining such customs turns into an essential task where women are essential, embodying egalitarian principles and enhancing India's cultural mosaic. In this context, the Indian festival of Chhath can be taken as an example, as it specifically highlights the significance of women through its rigorous rituals dedicated to the Sun God. This festival underscores women's vital role in preserving cultural practices and nurturing communal harmony. The paper explores how women's participation, particularly in chhath, contributes to preserving India's cultural heritage, societal values, and long-term communal peace.

Introduction

From time immemorial, festivals are deeply ingrained in societies worldwide, serving as both entertainment and protective rituals against negativity, while also strengthening communal bonds and preserving shared values. India, renowned for its vibrant cultural tapestry, exemplifies this tradition with over a thousand festivals annually. These celebrations transcend gender distinctions, emphasizing inclusive participation.

Within India's rich festival landscape, women have historically played pivotal roles in both the rituals themselves and in preserving cultural heritage. Their enduring participation across countless ceremonies has shaped Indian society's collective identity. Chhath Puja stands out as a focal point to explore the multifaceted roles women play in these cultural practices. This research delves into women's significant contributions to Chhath Puja, examining how their involvement impacts cultural continuity and community cohesion, highlighting their enduring influence on India's festival traditions.

Chhath Puja & its Historical Significance

Chhath Puja, celebrated in regions like Bihar and Nepal, is an eco-friendly Hindu festival observed on the sixth lunar day of Chaitra and Kartik. The Kartik Chhath Puja, held six days after Diwali in Bihar, is particularly grand, featuring ceremonies that honor natural elements.

The Prakrit word "Sashthi," which means sixth, is where "Chhath" gets its start. The origins of this festival are steeped in mythology, with several narratives underscoring its profound significance. One prominent tale recounts the guardianship of the earth by the Sun God following Maa Parvati's departure from Kailash to the heavenly abode. Another story tells of the miraculous resurrection of King Priyamvad and Queen Malini's stillborn child by Devsena, an incarnation of Sashthi Devi or Chhati Maiya. Additionally, a myth describes how Lord Indra, the Sun God, and Dharmaraja temporarily suspended divine judgment in heaven for four days, offering penitents an opportunity for absolution. Collectively, these mythological narratives illuminate the deep spiritual and cultural dimensions of Chhath Puja.

Rituals and Customs

Chhath Puja is a festival of rituals, each imbued with profound symbolism. The observance begins with the Nahai Khai, ritualistic bathing in rivers or ponds, followed by fasting and preparing ‘prasad’. The next day involves the Kharna, where women prepare a special meal of ‘kheer’ and make offerings to the Sun God. Women fast without water, performing the evening and morning rituals with devotion. The third day, ‘Sandhya Arghya’, involves elaborate offerings to the setting sun, accompanied by communal prayers and traditional songs. On the final day, ‘Usha Arghya’, sees pre-dawn offerings to the rising sun, culminating in the breaking of the fast. Throughout these rituals, women lead the prayers, make the offerings, and sing folk songs, demonstrating their central role in the festival’s proceedings.

The careful preparation of customary offerings like rice pudding, fruits and rotis, or prasad, is a crucial component of their devotion. This task requires meticulousness and devotion, reflecting their commitment to preserving cultural traditions. Their active participation isn't just about the present; it ensures that the rituals and values of Chhath Puja are passed down to future generations, safeguarding their continuity and cultural significance.

Women in Chhath Puja epitomize resilience and spiritual strength, embodying a crucial link between tradition and the community's spiritual heritage. Their pivotal role underscores the festival's essence of faith, family, and the timeless bonds that unite communities in celebration and reverence.

Women's Participation and its Symbolism

The core idea behind Chhath Puja is to honor the nurturing power of the goddess Chhathi Maiya. As Women symbolizes nurturing force, they are essential in bridging the gap between the heavenly and material realms. Their participation in Chhath Puja underscores their strength, devotion, and resilience. Women show their steadfast devotion to the empowerment and agency of their families by actively participating in the ceremonies.

Chhath Puja demonstrates the importance of women in the spiritual and social lives of their communities. They conduct the ceremonies, prepare the offerings, and ensure the rites are carried out appropriately, demonstrating their independence and power. Women are active participants who form the celebration, not passive spectators. They also pass on their expertise to future generations, ensuring that the festival's traditions continue. Women's engagement reinforces their important positions in cultural and religious traditions.

Challenges and Resilience

Despite its great significance, women confront several problems when doing Chhath Puja. Societal standards, logistical issues, and the physical difficulties of fasting can be challenging. Nonetheless, women's perseverance shows through these difficulties. They overcome societal taboos and manage the logistics of the rites, demonstrating the drive and energy that sustains the festival. Stories of women who have overcome terrible weather or societal rejection to execute the rites demonstrate their everlasting dedication and courage.

Community and Sisterhood

The Chhath Puja fosters a strong sense of solidarity and sisterhood among women. The event is more than simply personal dedication; it is also about coming together as a community. Women support, share, and strengthen one another, forming ties that surpass personal differences. This sisterhood is evident in how they assist one another in preparing prasad, performing rituals, and providing support on fasting days. The community feature of Chhath Puja demonstrates the strength of women bonded by faith and tradition, as well as their reverence for nature and the Sun God.

Conclusion

In conclusion, women have an important part in Chhath Puja, helping to celebrate and preserve the holiday. Their stringent fasting, thoughtful planning of offerings, and steadfast adherence to traditions demonstrate their significant contribution to India's cultural and spiritual life. Chhath Puja revolves around women, who are essential to family and spiritual upkeep. This study emphasizes how crucial they are to maintaining customs, advancing gender parity, and fostering harmony within the community.

References

• Das, Subhashish. “Chhath, an all-women festival of the sun.”WION News, October 26,2017,https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chhath-an-all-women-festival-of-the-sun-22896

• Kaur, Jasleen. “Chhath Puja 2023: Why is women's role crucial in every ritual, tradition | Read in Detail.”PTC News, November 16, 2023, https://www.ptcnews.tv/lifestyle/chhath-puja-2023-why-is-womens-role-crucial-in-every-ritual-tradition-read-in-detail-734453

• Nair,Anisha. "Why Chhath Puja Holds a Special Place For Women." FirstCry Parenting,January 31, 2023, https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/why-chhath-puja-holds-a-special-place-for-women/

• Thakur, Veena, et al. The Importance of Chhath Puja. Kindle ed.