Chhath Mahaparv: A message of cleanliness, equality and nature conservation along with faith
New Delhi: Chhath Mahaparv is a unique symbol in Indian culture of people’s faith, social harmony and gratitude towards nature. The festival is not limited only to worship of the Sun and religious rituals, but also conveys the message of cleanliness, equality, collective cooperation and environmental protection. During this four-day Mahaparv, devotees worship Suryadev and Chhathi Maiya with full devotion.
The biggest feature of Chhath is its simplicity and collective spirit. During the worship, distinctions of rich and poor, caste and class are left behind. At rivers, ponds and ghats, all devotees stand together and offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun. The spirit of social equality and unity is clearly visible in this tradition.
The sanctity of the worship is linked to cleanliness. Cleanliness has special importance in Chhath Puja. Cleaning is carried out from homes to worship places and ghats. From preparing prasad to keeping puja materials, purity and discipline are observed. This tradition inspires people to keep public places clean and fulfil community responsibility.
A festival of gratitude towards nature
In Chhath, the Sun, water and nature are worshipped. The Sun is the source of life and energy, while rivers and water bodies are important for human life. In this sense, the festival also teaches people to protect water sources from pollution, reduce the use of plastic and ensure proper disposal of puja materials. Cleaning the ghats after the puja, instead of leaving waste there, should be part of this spirit.
Need for environmental protection in changing times. At the government and social levels too, emphasis is now being placed on celebrating Chhath in a clean and environment-friendly manner. In Patna, Bihar, under efforts for a zero-waste Chhath, arrangements such as separate dustbins, waste collection and making compost from organic waste are being adopted.
The real message of Chhath Mahaparv is that social responsibility should be fulfilled along with faith. If devotees bring the resolve of cleanliness, equality and nature conservation into their conduct, this festival can also become an inspiration for future generations.
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