Chhath picks up momentum across Tarai

By Rabindra Upreti

Bardibas, Nov. 5:  Preparations for the Chhath festival have begun in Madhes Province right after Tihar, as the sacred four-day festival is set to commence on Tuesday. 

The work of cleaning the nearby water bodies and constructing ghats for worshipping the sun and Chhathi Mata, has gained momentum.

Markets and public squares are filled with shops selling locally produced and imported bananas. Attractive reception gates are being constructed throughout the area.

The shops that previously displayed Tihar goods are now being stocked with materials for Chhath Puja, such as bamboo woven materials like Dhakis, Nanglo and Supli and clay utensils like ghailas, Dhaknas and Palas. 

In many places, preparations for Chhath are being supported by voluntary donations from local devotees. Some areas are receiving assistance from local government to enhance the beauty and management of the festival.

Chhath Puja preparations have begun in several ponds in Ward Nos. 1, 2, and 14 of Bardibas. 

The cleaning and beautification of the old pond near Kameshwarnath Shivalaya in Ward No. 14 are progressing, with the puja committee estimating an expenditure of Rs. 600,000 for this effort. Ward chairman Bijay Mahato said that preparations for the construction of 300 Chhath ghats around the pond are underway. 

The Mithila Natya Parishad has planned a programme to highlight the importance of Mithila culture and the Chhath festival, with Rs.175,000 allocated for this initiative. For the first time, on the day of Paran, the last day of the fast, arrangements have been made to receive communal prasad at the Shiva temple complex near the Chhath Pond, with an estimated cost of Rs.50,000. 

Additionally, it is anticipated that Rs. 300,000 lakhs will be spent on the reception gate, cleaning, pond decoration, and ghat construction.

Most of the funds have been raised through community donations, with a fixed contribution of Rs.1,000 ghat for worship. 

The ward-14 Chhath Puja committee estimates that support will reach Rs. 300,000 from the 300 decorated puja ghats at the pond. 

More than 2,000 pilgrims and devotees are expected to participate at this location.

“This is a festival of folk faith, and all preparations are being done with collective support,” said ward chair Bijay Mahato, noting that some support will also come from the municipality.

In Bardibas, preparations are also underway for Chhath in the area, including Deurali Pond in Ward No. 1, Buddhachowk Pond in Ward No. 2 and Hamal Pond in Ward No.14 with the help and initiative of devotees.

Additionally, efforts to decorate the 3-km reservoir of the Madaha River in Gaushala Municipality for Chhath Puja have intensified.

All 15 municipalities in Mahottari are preparing for the festival, with cleaning efforts for around 300 ponds, lakes, and riverbanks in the district, along with the construction of ghats, making significant progress.