As the last of the Deepavali lights faded, Hyderabad’s streets remained lively with the spirit of another important festival—Chhath Puja. While the city had just celebrated Diwali, the Bihari, Uttar Pradeshi, and Jharkhandi communities were still in a festive mood. From November 5 to November 8, Hyderabad hosted the grand celebration of Chhath Puja, a festival dedicated to worshiping the Sun God.
Chhath Puja, traditionally celebrated in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, has grown in significance for the migrant communities in Hyderabad. This year, the festival saw its largest turnout yet, with over 50 designated locations across Hyderabad and Secunderabad hosting the rituals.
Vinoy Kumar Singh, leader of Jan Seva Sangh and an important organizer of the event, reflected on how the scale of Chhath Puja has grown over the years. “Back in 2007, when we first asked the government for permission to hold the puja at Hussain Sagar, not many knew about its importance. But now, the participation has increased, and the city has fully embraced the festival,” Singh explained.
The festival is celebrated over four days with a series of sacred rituals. On the first day, called Nahay Khay, devotees (Vratis) bathe in holy waters and prepare simple vegetarian meals. This marks the start of their spiritual journey. On the second day, Kharna, participants fast from sunrise to sunset, breaking it in the evening with offerings like kheer, fruits, and chapatis.
The third day, known as Sandhya Arghya, is when devotees gather at water bodies such as Hussain Sagar to offer prayers to the setting sun, expressing gratitude for life’s blessings. The celebration ends on the fourth day, Usha Arghya, when devotees offer prayers to the rising sun and break their fast by sharing prasad with family and friends.
This year’s large-scale celebration showed how important Chhath Puja has become for the city’s migrant communities. Organizations like Jan Seva Sangh and the Bihar Association Hyderabad, led by president Hareram Singh, played key roles in arranging the event. They secured permissions and set up puja venues near water bodies, ensuring the rituals could follow tradition.
The event also strengthened the sense of community. Many volunteers from the Bihar and Uttar Pradesh communities worked hard to keep the puja sites clean, assist devotees, and ensure safety during the celebration.
“This festival brings us together in faith,” said Hareram Singh. He emphasized how Chhath Puja helps preserve cultural traditions for those far from home. “It’s not just about the rituals; it’s also about sharing our heritage with the younger generation. For us, this festival is a symbol of our identity.”
