India has had
a tradition of festivals from time immemorial. From national
festivals to social ones, people come closer, enjoy & forget
their differences. Festivals always break the monotony of day-to-day
life &inspire us to promote love & brotherhood &
work for the upliftment of the society. Bihar as a part of this
ancient land is no exception and has a long list of celebrations.
Chatt
Puja
Almost all civilizations have worshipped the sun god.
But it has a unique form in Bihar. Chatt Puja is the only occasion
where the setting sun is worshipped.
The
people of Bihar have immense faith in this festival. It is celebrated
twice a year. Once in
Chaitra
(according to the Hindu calendar) which falls in March and in
Kartik which falls in November. For this 4-day
festival, people maintain sanctity and purity from even a month
ahead. People celebrate this festival with immense faith the
folk songs sung in the honour of Surya Dev and Chatti
Maiyya can be heard at every nook and corner the sweetness
of the songs lets you feel the holiness of the festival.
Women
fast for the good of their family and the society. Regardless
of the social status, to celebrate this festival only the faith
counts. Though it is a festival of the Hindus, some of the Muslims
also participate actively in the puja.
Sama-Chakeva
It is during the winter season that the birds from the Himalayas
migrate towards the plains. With the advent of these colorful
birds, celebration of samachakeva is done. This is a festival
especially celebrated in mithila. mithilanchal dedicates this
festival to the celebration of the brother sister relationship.
It represents the tradition of this land as well as the art
of making idols. This festival starts with the welcoming of
the pair of birds sama-chakeva. Girls make clay idols of various
birds and decorate them in their own traditional ways. Various
rituals are performed and the festival joyfully ended with the
vidai of sama and with a wish that these birds return
to this land the next year.
Ramnavami
A Hindu festival celebrated in all parts of the country.
This is the auspicious day when lord RAMA was born. People celebrate
it observing fasts and offering prayers in his honour.
Makar-Sankranti
Also known as Tila Sankranti, the festival marks the beginning
of the summer season. People believe that from this day on,
the days become longer and the heat of the sun also increases.
Every year it is observed on the 14th of January. People celebrate
it by giving offerings to the poor.
Bihula
Bihula is a prominent festival of eastern Bihar especially
famous in Bhagalpur district. There are many myths related to
this festival. People pray to goddess Mansa for
the welfare of their family.
Madhushravani
This festival is celebrated all over mithilanchal with much
enthusiasm. It is celebrated in the month of Sawan
(Hindu calendar), which falls around august. This festival carries
a message with itself. It teaches how to weave together religion
and tradition in day-to-day life.
Basant
Panchami, Shivratri, Raksha Bandhan, Holi,
Durga puja, Deepawali and many more festivals
however big or small are celebrated with enthusiasm all over
this landmass.