A festival dedicated to Lord Surya, the Sun God-god of energy and life force, is widely celebrated across Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, parts of West Bengal, and even Nepal. During Chhath Puja, women fast and pray to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya to ensure success and prosperity for their families and children.
Traditionally, Chhath Puja falls after Diwali or on the sixth day of Kartik. In preparation for Chhath, devotees begin eating only Satvik food (without onion or garlic) the day after Diwali, prepare all meals with utmost hygiene, and eat only after bathing.
Out of the many things, bananas are something you will spot everywhere during Chhath Puja. There’s a unique reason behind it: a bunch of bananas is offered to the Lord as a form of prasad. It is believed to be the favorite fruit of Lord Vishnu.
Thousands of devotees make offerings (Arghya) to the setting sun on the banks of rivers in the evening. As the third day approaches, a colorful event called Kosi is witnessed. Sugarcane sticks are used for constructing a canopy, and earthen lamps and baskets filled with prasad are placed within it. In the early morning hours of the fourth and final day of Chhath, family members and friends make offerings (Arghya) to the rising sun along the banks of rivers. The fast is broken after this ritual by distributing Prasad to neighbors and relatives.