Chhath Puja: Why is it relevant for UPSC aspirants?
Candidates may face questions on Chhath Puja in:
- Prelims General Studies (GS) MCQ Paper
- Mains General Studies Answer Writing (Culture and Society part of GS1 paper)
- Mains General Studies Answer Writing (Cultural Ethics part of GS4 paper)
- Mains Essay Paper
- Interviews (Students belonging to Bihar, UP and Jharkhand must know about their region’s culture)
Chhath Puja: Model question for UPSC Prelims (General Studies)
Q. Recently the festival of Chhath Puja was in news. Choose the correct statement from the following:
- India is the only nation where Chatth Puja is celebrated.
- The festival is related to the Water god, Varun Dev and his Sister as the Goddess.
- The Dravidian states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra are the focal points of Chhath Puja.
- The banks of River Ganga are of particular interest to the devotees.
Answer: D
Chhath Puja: Model questions for UPSC Mains
Q.1 Festivals in India are not only culturally significant, but they are also vital from a Utilitarian perspective. Do you agree? (250 words, 15 marks)
Q.2 What is Social Capital? Establish the link between cultural festivals and social capital. (250 words, 15 marks)
Here is an analytical essay on Chhath Puja for understanding and answering the above questions. Read on.
Chhath Puja
Every year, a week after Diwali, swarms of devotees with rich offerings of home cooked Thekua as Prasada, predominantly women, throng the banks of river Ganges. Clad in vivid sarees, adorned in ornaments, with a lengthy streak of vermillion on the forehead, eyes filled with devotion and purity, the Maithali, Bhojpuri, Nepali women, etc. celebrate the most awaited festival of East India – the Chhath Puja or the Chhath Parv.
Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated every year as a gratitude to the Sun God, or Surya Dev for Sun is the prime source of all life on earth, the deity which makes life sustainable. The devotees also pray for the wellbeing of their families, offsprings and future generations.
The Indian states of Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, bordering parts of Nepal are the focal points. The urban centres like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata where there is significant Bihari diaspora also celebrate Chhath with great enthusiasm.
Along with Surya Dev, Chhathi Maiyya, considered as Sun God’s sister is also worshipped. As per a legend, Chhathi Maiyya or Chhathi Mata is a Goddess of providence, as she protects and safeguards her children from all diseases, evils, and ignoble omens. The whole family, and mainly women cook, dress up, fast, pray, decorate, sing and dance to celebrate Chhath. Ganga jal is offered as Aragh to the Sun God on the banks of nearby rivers as an important ritual. The festival is also marked with streets lit up in lamps, white washing and cleaning of premises, buying new furniture, electronics, and gadgets as a symbol of fortune and prosperity at home and at the workplace. Immense care is taken into practising vegetarianism. The use of onion or garlic is also prohibited in many communities.
Besides its Cultural significance, the festival is also praised worldwide for its strong Environmental moorings. The Indian civilisation has been worshipping forces of nature in the form of Earth, Fire, Wind, Sun, Fire, Water etc. since the times of Indus Valley Civilization and the Vedic Period. Chhath Puja keeps that important tradition alive in the 21st Century by adulating the Mother Nature, Prakriti. It establishes a pious bond between man and nature, which the world reeling with global warming and climate crisis immensely needs.
(The expert can be reached at [email protected]. His specialisations include General Studies, Political Science and International Relations Optional)