Mithila people mark Chaurachan by worshipping moon

By Laxmi Chaudhary,Janakpurdham, Aug. 27: The Chauthchandra (Chaurachan) festival, deeply rooted in the faith, traditions, and folk beliefs of the Mithila community, was celebrated on Tuesday with respect and devotion.

This festival, which falls on the fourth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra, is also considered a special occasion for moon worship. On this day, it is believed that the moon appears briefly, as if undergoing a ‘lunar eclipse.’ According to scriptures, it is considered inauspicious to look directly at the moon on this date.

As a result, devotees traditionally offer the moon rice pudding, puris, fruits, sweets, and yogurt while performing rituals. The festival is celebrated for about two and a half hours after sunset. Devotees draw designs known as ‘Aripan’ using rice flour in the courtyard of their homes and place banana leaves on them to hold offerings such as bananas, incense, lamps, a pot (kalash), and seasonal fruits.

According to Ganga Devi Sah from Janakpurdham-8, Chaurachan is a festival of faith and devotion. During this festival, people observe a fast and worship Chandra Dev, praying for the good health and long life of their family members. All materials used for the festival must be pure and clean. Yogurt is set in a new clay pot, kheer and puris are prepared, and offerings include lemon, banana, corn, coconut, and seasonal fruits.

There is also a tradition that all family members hold fruits in their hands while observing the moon.

Cultural expert Dr. Gayatri Jha explained that in Mithila, the moon is worshipped as a folk deity according to specific customs, rituals, and traditions. Dr. Jha said, “On this day, it is customary not only to worship the moon and Lord Ganesh but also to offer prayers for the prevention of tuberculosis along with Rohini. It is widely believed that looking at the moon with empty hands brings a curse.”

According to folklore, after the moon laughed upon seeing Lord Ganesh, Ganesh cursed him. Later, on Bhadrashukla Chaturthi, after performing Ganesh worship, the moon was forgiven. Since that day, the tradition of worshiping the moon alongside moon sighting began.

Originally, this festival used to be celebrated primarily among Brahmin and Vaishya communities, but now it is observed by people of all castes with equal faith. 

The people of Mithila have been engaged in shopping, grinding, and cleaning in preparation for the Chaurachan festival for the past week.