Devotees celebrate chhath parva to honor nature and social harmony

Devotees in the Mithila region of Nepal have begun a four-day religious festival called Chhath Parva to worship the sun and honor nature.

People across the Terai-Madhes region are cleaning and decorating homes, rivers, and ponds in preparation for the rituals. The festival brings family members back to their villages from distant places for work or study to participate in the collective celebrations.

The festival involves offering prayers to both the setting and rising sun to express gratitude for light and life. Local traditions associate the festival with Chhathimata, a deity believed to protect children and provide health and prosperity. Participants observe strict fasts and follow specific rituals over the four days, including bathing in water bodies and preparing traditional foods like Thekuwa and Kheer.

The celebration promotes social equality as people of all castes, religions, and economic backgrounds gather at the same water sources to offer prayers. The festival also supports the local economy by creating demand for agricultural products and handmade items. Local artisans and farmers benefit from the sale of clay pots, bamboo tools, and seasonal fruits like bananas and sugarcane.

While the festival emphasizes the importance of water and environment, observers note that growing urbanization presents challenges for waste management in the historical reservoirs where devotees gather. The festival serves as a symbol of agricultural heritage and community unity.