By Pallavi Jain and Amit Sarwal
The Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Australia & New Zealand (BJSM) recently celebrated the ancient Hindu festival of India, Chhath, in Sydney.
Chhath is celebrated more specifically in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Madhesh and Lumbini provinces in Nepal.
Prayers during Chhath puja are dedicated to the Sun God. Chhath is celebrated six days after Diwali as per the Hindu calendar.
The rituals are observed over four days. They include holy bathing, fasting and abstaining from drinking water, standing in water, and offering prayers to the setting and rising sun.
BJSM is a not-for-profit organization that aims to connect and bring together people of the Indian diaspora from Bihar and Jharkhand.
Many members of the BJSM community celebrated Chhath and their culture this year.
WATCH VIDEO: Chhath Puja in Sydney organised by BJSM
Chhath was also celebrated by the Nepalese Hindu community.
This famous traditional Hindu festival is dedicated to Surya Devta (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiyya (Goddess Shashthi).
Subansh Shah, the President of the Association of Nepal Terai in Australia (ANT-Aus), told The Australia Today that the Nepali community in Australia participates in Chhath to observe cultural bonding and promote social harmony amongst the diaspora.
Mr Shah observed:
“Our Association has continued re-enacting the rich ethnic culture of the indigenous community of Terai since it was founded and we feel respected that many Nepalese coming from different parts of Nepal irrespective of their caste, religion, language, cultural background joyously participates in Chhath celebration.”
He added that Nepalese who do not belong to Terai region also participate in the annual Chhath puja in large numbers.
