Devotees flock to Janakpur’s sacred ponds for Chhath festival (video)

KATHMANDU: The Mithila region is alive with fervor as the grand festival of Chhath is being celebrated in Janakpur, with devotees thronging to the major ponds since early morning.

This four-day festival is a significant occasion, drawing immense spiritual participation and cultural reverence.

The festival follows a traditional sequence, starting with ‘Nahay Khay’ on the first day, followed by ‘Kharna’ on the second day. On the third day, devotees offer prayers to the setting sun, and on the fourth day, they pay homage to the rising sun. These rituals are carried out with great devotion and belief in the power of the sun.

In preparation for the celebrations, the sacred ponds of Janakpur, such as Ganga Sagar and Arga Jha Sagar, have been beautifully adorned.

Devotees gather with offerings like bananas, sugarcane, coconut, radishes, and other fruits to perform the Sun God worship, known as ‘Arghya’. It is believed that the rituals must be performed at holy ponds or rivers, making water bodies the focal point of the prayers.

The Chhath festival is observed twice a year, during the months of Kartik and Chaitra, in Janakpur and surrounding areas.

The origins of this ancient festival can be traced back to religious texts. According to mythology, the goddess Sati Anusuya worshipped the Sun God and Goddess Shashthi to heal her sick husband.

Similarly, during the Mahabharata era, Draupadi, wife of the five Pandavas, is said to have celebrated Chhath to seek the blessings of the Sun God for the defeat of the Kauravas.

Local belief holds that performing the Chhath rituals leads to liberation from suffering, cures skin diseases, brings prosperity, ensures the birth of children, and fosters family peace and harmony.

For this reason, devotees approach this festival with deep devotion and sincerity, seeking blessings for well-being and spiritual fulfillment.

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