Chaath Fasting in Bihar is a sacrificial festival which entails preparations for purification of the soul. It can be performed by anyone, irrespective of caste, creed or gender.
Features:
The advent of Chaath commences with the end of Deepavali.
The house is thoroughly cleaned.
The family members go in for a holy dip.
Vegetarian menu which is strictly salt less, is observed. Even onions and garlic are considered impure during the entire festival period.
All earthen vessels are reserved for the period only and all possible purity of food is maintained.
Clothes have to be unstitched and people sleep on the floor.
The person observing the Chaath, is known as Parvati.
He/She observes fast from dawn to dusk which concludes with sweets.
This is followed by another fast for 36 hours till the dawn of the final day.
On this day, puja is performed at the river bank much before sunrise.
The most disciplined observers remain in water from late midnight until the first ray of dawn.
The river is now flooded with offerings to the sun which is followed by breakfast and distribution of prasad among the gatherings.
Chaath in Bihar can best be seen at Deo in Aurangabad or Baragaon near Nalanda. Both the places are noted for their sun temples.
Unlike other sun temples in India that face east, the temple at Deo faces west and during the festival time it is the most crowded place.
It is at this place where a Brahmin can be seen standing in the river-water next to a person belonging to a class lower in hierarchy.
Season
October-November is the time when the Chaath Fasting is observed.
How to Reach
By Air
Bihar has an airport in its capital city Patna, which is connected by air with Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kolkata.
By Rail
The train services of Indian Railways connect several places of Bihar to the other major cities.
By Road
Internal road network within the state connects Patna to other tourist destinations of Bihar and also to other cities of India.
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