MAHOTTARI: The ancient Mithila region of Madhesh is immersed in the festivities of Chhath, with devotees observing the Kharna ritual on the second day of the four-day festival today.
The festival began on Friday with the Nahaya-Khaya ritual, observed on the fourth day of the waxing moon in the month of Kartik. On the occasion, devotees took ritual baths, consumed traditional meals and made a solemn commitment to observe the Chhath fast.
On the second day, corresponding to the Panchami Tithi, devotees observe a daylong fast after taking a ritual bath in the morning. In the evening, after sighting the moon, they worship Chhathi Maiya and offer kheer prepared in a new clay pot before consuming it as prasad. This ritual is known as Kharna in Maithili.
Chhath is regarded as one of the most important festivals of folk faith in Mithila, with devotion, dedication, discipline and spiritual purification forming its central elements.
As part of the Kharna ritual, devotees prepare “kheer” (rice pudding) using milk, sugar and locally grown rice, traditionally harvested in December. The offering is prepared in a new clay pot over a traditional clay stove and placed on a banana leaf before being presented to Chhathi Maiya. Family members also participate in the worship and receive the prasad.
On the third day, devotees will observe a fast and gather at ponds, rivers and other water bodies in the evening to offer the first arghya (offering) to the setting sun. The ritual is known as ‘Sajhuka Arakh’ or ‘Sajhiya Ghat’ in Mithila.
On the morning of the fourth day, corresponding to Saptami Tithi, devotees will offer the second arghya to the rising sun, bringing the festival to a close. This final offering is known as ‘Bhorka Arakh’ or ‘Paran’ in Mithila.
During the arghya rituals, devotees traditionally offer coconuts, fruits, bananas and various homemade sweets to the Sun God. Special Chhath delicacies, particularly thekuwa and bhusuwa, are essential components of the offerings.
These traditional sweets are prepared using flour that is carefully ground and processed. Devotees also distribute the prasad among relatives and invite family members and neighbours to share in the celebrations.
Beautifully decorated ghats are prepared along the banks of ponds, rivers and other water bodies where devotees gather to perform the rituals and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun.
Although Chhath was traditionally observed mainly by Madheshi Hindus, people from the hill communities have increasingly embraced the festival in recent years. In Mithila, members of the Muslim community also show respect for the religious observances, with some allowing devotees to perform their rituals and offer prayers to the Sun God at designated water bodies.
This growing participation across religious and cultural communities has helped transform Chhath into a shared cultural celebration and an important symbol of social harmony in Mithila.
Manohar Prasad Yadav, principal of Bhangaha-5 Secondary School in Sitapur, said the participation of people from different religions, castes and communities had made Chhath an integral part of Mithila’s folk culture.
He described the festival as a great celebration of popular faith, devotion and communal harmony.
Publish Date : 14 November 2026 08:26 AM
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