PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Oct 28 : The four-day Chhath festival, one of eastern India’s most sacred celebrations of faith, purity, and gratitude, concluded gracefully in Jamshedpur today with the Bihaniya Arghya — the morning oblation to the rising Sun.
As dawn unfurled over the steel city, the ghats of the Subernarekha and Kharkai rivers shimmered with devotion.
Thousands of Chhath vratis, clad in traditional saffron and yellow attire, stood waist-deep in the water, offering prayers to Surya Dev while holding ‘soops’ laden with fruits, sugarcane, and earthen lamps — emblems of reverence and abundance.
The tranquil waters of Domuhani and river ghats at Baridih, Sakchi, Sonari, and Adityapur reflected the golden hues of sunrise as chants of “Chhathi Maiya ke Jai!” echoed across the city.
The fragrance of incense mingled with the gentle splash of river waves, creating a divine ambience that transcended language and faith.
From the bustling industrial quarters to quiet neighbourhood rooftops, Jamshedpur awakened to a moment of collective spirituality.
Many devotees, unable to reach the ghats, performed rituals in improvised water tubs at home, a testament to the festival’s deep emotional connection that binds families and communities alike.
The preceding days—Nahay Khay, Kharna, and Sandhya Arghya—had already bathed the city in an aura of sanctity and discipline.
Volunteers, civic bodies, and police personnel worked tirelessly to ensure cleanliness, crowd management, and medical readiness across major ghats.
As the Sun climbed higher, the devotees, their faces glowing with both exhaustion and serenity, broke their 36-hour fasts with thekua and fruits, marking the festival’s peaceful conclusion.
“For us, Chhath is not just a ritual — it is devotion in its purest form. When I stand in the river with folded hands before the rising Sun, I feel a deep connection between nature, faith, and life itself,” said Asha Verma , a Chhath Vrati in Telco (Jamshedpur).
Beyond the rituals, Chhath once again illuminated Jamshedpur’s soul—showcasing unity, ecological awareness, and the enduring rhythm of gratitude between humankind and nature.
In the heart of this industrial city, faith met the first light — and the Sun rose not just in the sky, but within every believer’s heart.
