Chhath and the Bhakra sindoor (Festival and traditions)

Chhath and the Bhakra sindoor

Soon after Diwali is over, when part of the country is dealing with the post Diwali blues, there is a section of the country which starts preparing for the Mahaparv, as they call it- The Chhath pooja. The Chhath mahaparv is celebrated six days after Diwali in the shukla paksha (waxing phase) of Kartika (Oct-Nov) lunar month. It is a four day festival which begins with nahay-khaay on the chaturthi (fourth day) of the kartika month, where the house is cleaned and a pure vegetarian meal is prepared using lauki (bottlegourd) or Pumpkin, chana (black chickpeas) and rice. On the second day (panchami) fast is observed and an evening meal called kharana consisting of kheer of rice and jaggery and chapattis is consumed. Next day i.e. shashthi(sixth day), the mahaprasad or thekua is prepared followed by decorating the bamboo basket (called Daura or Bahangi)and filling it with the thekua and other prasadam including turmeric, sweet potato, amla, chana, pineapple etc and sindoor. This daura is carried to the ghat and there the evening arghya (water offering) is given to the setting sun. On the final day, the morning arghya is given to the rising sun, standing in the cold water. Finally the fast is broken by consuming jaggery and ginger.

Beyond the religious rituals, another peculiar thing about Chhath is the sindoor that women apply during the fast. The orange coloured vermillion applied from nose tip to the head is unique to the culture of Bhojpur region.

The Sindoor story

Sindoor or vermillion is the part of Hindu culture since ages. It is applied for the first time during marriage ceremony by the husband. It sure does symbolize the married status of a hindu women and adds to her beauty but that’s not it. The sindoor is said to posses associated health benefits. The vermillion is produced using cinnabar, mercury sulphide, turmeric and other herbal elements. The constituents are said to control blood pressure and acts as stress buster. When applied near pineal gland on forehead, it creates a positive effect. The red color has its own ayurvedic and religious significance, attracting positive enegy. Religiously, sindoor has been associated with Sati or Parvati , who is the symbol of a perfect wife.

What’s with the orange sindooor?

In the Bhojpur region comprising Bihar, eastern UP and Jharkhand, orange colored sindoor is used. The orange or pink sindoor also called the Bhakra sindoor is considered auspicious and is used in marriages and religious occasions. The Bhakra sindoor is prepared using natural ingredients and is chemical free and so for its purity is used in the religious events. The orange color is also compared to the color of the rising sun and is expected to create same positive energy and warmth in the women’s relationship and family. It is adorned from nose, referring to the longevity of her husband’s life and prosperity of her family.

In the fast running age of AIs and algorithms, the four days of Chhath remind us to relax and show our gratitude to not only the ones who are rising, like a sun in dawn but also to the ones who are for some reason setting down, like the sun at the dusk. It reminds us to keep in sync with the nature by accommodating all the seasonal elements like Amla or turmeric and stay rooted with our culture by not forgetting the peculiarities of it, be it the thekua or the Bhakra sindoor! For it is in these little rituals and festivities wherein one finds true solace.