.....the Essence of CHHATHH Festival.....!!!!

.....we derive our origins frm Aryans who settled in the alluvial plains.......initially they were nature Worshippers...the Peepul & Banyan Tree,SUN GOD, rivers were highly reverred....Nature provided both succour & inflicted wrath....!!...our ancestors thought it prudent to stay close to Nature.....Idol worship came at a much later age...CHHATH Festivity is documented frm times immemorial.....invoking SUN GOD the Omnipotent & Omnipresent Natural Energy......the river valley civilisation of the Eastern & Northern plains were a cradle to this Pujan...Having born & brought up in the crucible of Pataliputra(Patna) which is Magadh,Mauryan & Gupta ages with River Ganga,Son,Gandak,Mahananda,Bagmati,Burhi Gandak Ajay & Damodar ,crisscrossing this great cradle of civilisation....this River bank festivity assumed importance in terms of reverance & purity....being represented by free flowing water ,soil & Salute to " Jaba Kusum":meaning SUN GOD....people of this region are subjected to this tradition of culture for centuries & I am no exception....the genetic disposition is more inclined to acquiese or should I say our acquired characters....frm all strata rich & poor will celebrate & submit to the Omnipotent representing the SUN deriving energy for well being....its also a tribute to our Mother's & sisters who largely represent & participate embracing the Rigors of Traditional Rituals....it is not the Rituals but the essence of this festival that count.....the streets are cleaner ,spruced up...the River banks bedecked  & all streets lead to the River Banks....the Evening offerings to the setting SUN & Predawn movements the following ..with chill in the pre winter air & equally cool waters all in patient waiting for the Supreme Power to Rise to accept the thougths of reverance,prayers & submission.....!!!!...the atmosphere electric & thougths pure & Holy....the run up to this festivity is stringent & utmost importance is attached to Purity of things used...be it Prasadam...which is highly popular...or Puja items....Hinduism is a way of Life I believe & this festivity highlights this point....for the Eastern Indian People who inherited primarily the Aryan traditions this region were a melting pot for Hinduism,Buddhism & Jainism..in addition to its embracing Islam..however & whatever misplaced  opinion is there for the people here I personally feel them to be highly evolved with heart & brain.... blessed is this land of festivities & Religious Tolerance....!!!