Introduction
India is a land of festivals — each with its own story, rituals, and cultural identity. While Diwali and Holi may be internationally famous, there are equally significant traditions that embody the spirit of India’s communities. One such festival is Chhath Puja, an ancient Vedic festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and Chhathi Maiya (Usha, the goddess of dawn).
In the September 2025 edition of his Mann Ki Baat radio address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Government of India is working to include Chhath Festival in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list. This move has sparked excitement, pride, and discussion across the nation, especially in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi where the festival is celebrated with unmatched devotion.
This article explores the history, cultural depth, environmental symbolism, and political significance of Chhath Puja, while examining why UNESCO recognition would be a milestone not just for India, but for global heritage awareness.
What Is Chhath Festival?
Chhath Puja is one of the oldest known Hindu festivals, with origins traced back to the Rigveda period. Unlike many festivals that involve idol worship, Chhath is unique for its direct worship of the natural elements — primarily the Sun God and water bodies such as rivers and ponds.
The festival spans four days of intense rituals, including:
- Nahay Khay (Day 1): Devotees take a holy dip and prepare a pure, vegetarian meal.
- Lohanda or Kharna (Day 2): A day-long fast is broken in the evening with prasad made of jaggery, rice, and milk.
- Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): The most iconic ritual where devotees stand in rivers or ponds and offer prayers to the setting sun.
- Usha Arghya (Day 4): Final offerings are made to the rising sun, symbolizing balance and continuity in life.
This worship of both the rising and setting sun symbolizes gratitude, humility, and reverence for cosmic balance — a practice that blends spirituality, sustainability, and environmental harmony.
Historical and Cultural Roots
- Ancient Origins: References to Sun worship in the Rigveda describe hymns and rituals that resemble Chhath. Some historians even link it to Draupadi and Karna in the Mahabharata.
- Geographical Spread: Although its heartland lies in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the large-scale migration of people has taken the festival to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even international cities like New York, London, and Dubai.
- Community Identity: For migrants, especially Biharis, Chhath is more than a festival — it is an anchor of cultural identity and pride.
Why UNESCO Recognition Matters
UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) list recognizes traditions, practices, and expressions that communities transmit across generations. If Chhath is included:
- Global Recognition: The world will acknowledge Chhath not just as a regional ritual but as a universal celebration of nature and humanity.
- Cultural Pride: It would elevate Bihar and eastern India’s cultural standing, similar to how Yoga, Kumbh Mela, and Durga Puja have received recognition.
- Tourism Boost: Pilgrimage tourism around Chhath in Bihar, Jharkhand, and UP could grow, drawing cultural researchers and international visitors.
- Preservation of Traditions: UNESCO listing often brings funding and awareness to preserve practices that face modern challenges like urbanization and environmental degradation.
The Environmental Dimension
One of the most remarkable aspects of Chhath Puja is its eco-consciousness.
- Rituals in Natural Settings: Devotees gather at rivers, ponds, and lakes, reinforcing the bond between humans and natural resources.
- Eco-Friendly Offerings: The prasad consists of seasonal fruits, sugarcane, and homemade sweets, traditionally free from plastics or artificial additives.
- Water Conservation: Communities often clean local ponds and rivers before the puja, indirectly contributing to civic cleanliness and ecological awareness.
In today’s era of climate crisis, Chhath offers a sustainable cultural model that harmonizes faith and environmental responsibility.
Announcement in Mann Ki Baat: A Political and Social Signal
Prime Minister Modi’s Mann Ki Baat announcement underscored Chhath’s growing national significance. He stated that the government is working with cultural and heritage bodies to prepare the nomination dossier for UNESCO.
This announcement carried multiple signals:
- Recognition of Eastern India: By focusing on Chhath, the government acknowledged Bihar and UP’s cultural richness, often overshadowed in mainstream narratives.
- Community Inclusion: The move strengthens the cultural pride of migrants who form a large voter base in metros like Delhi and Mumbai.
- Soft Power Projection: Internationally, showcasing Chhath as a world heritage tradition strengthens India’s soft power by emphasizing its diversity and inclusivity.
The Rituals in Detail: More Than Just Worship
Preparation and Purity
Participants observe strict rituals of purity, abstinence, and simplicity. Homes are cleaned thoroughly, and only the purest ingredients are used for offerings.
The Ghat Experience
The heart of Chhath lies at the ghats. The sight of thousands of devotees in traditional attire, holding baskets of fruits and diyas, standing waist-deep in water against the backdrop of a setting or rising sun, creates one of the most aesthetic and spiritual spectacles in the world.
Songs and Folklore
Traditional Chhath geet (songs) are sung in Bhojpuri and Maithili. These folk songs pass down cultural wisdom, celebrate family bonds, and preserve regional dialects.
Global Celebrations of Chhath
With the Indian diaspora, Chhath has become a global festival.
- In New York and New Jersey, large groups gather along the Hudson River.
- In London, parks and artificial ponds are transformed into Chhath ghats.
- In Dubai and Mauritius, the festival reflects the cultural pride of expatriates.
UNESCO recognition would validate this global presence and encourage further international participation.
Challenges Facing Chhath Puja
Despite its grandeur, Chhath faces several issues:
- Pollution of Water Bodies: Rapid urbanization often leaves ghats polluted or encroached.
- Safety Concerns: Overcrowding during rituals sometimes leads to accidents.
- Urban Displacement: Migrants in cities struggle to find proper ghats, often resorting to temporary ponds.
Government and civic authorities in Delhi, Patna, and Mumbai already take special measures during Chhath, such as building temporary ghats and deploying medical teams. UNESCO recognition could enhance such institutional support.
Similar UNESCO Recognized Indian Traditions
India has several cultural practices already on the UNESCO list:
- Yoga (2016)
- Kumbh Mela (2017)
- Durga Puja of Kolkata (2021)
- Kutiyattam Sanskrit theatre, Ramlila, Kalbelia dance, and more
Chhath’s inclusion would further strengthen India’s position as one of the world’s richest cultural heritage hubs.
Voices from the Ground
Devotees and cultural leaders have expressed enthusiasm:
- In Patna, several ghat committees said UNESCO recognition would put Bihar “on the cultural map of the world.”
- In Delhi NCR, migrant workers noted how Chhath gives them “a home away from home.”
- Academics argue that UNESCO listing will push states to invest more in cleaning rivers and conserving traditions.
These voices remind us that beyond politics and recognition, Chhath is a deeply personal festival that binds families and communities together.
Conclusion: Toward Global Recognition
Chhath Puja, with its ancient roots, ecological ethos, and universal values of gratitude and balance, is more than just a regional festival. It is a living tradition that speaks to humanity’s eternal relationship with nature.
The Indian government’s decision to push for its inclusion in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list is timely and significant. If accepted, it will mark not only global acknowledgment of Chhath but also serve as an inspiration for communities worldwide to preserve and honor their living traditions.
For India, and particularly for Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, this recognition would be a matter of immense pride and cultural reaffirmation. For the world, it would be a reminder that in an age of technology and urbanization, ancient practices still hold answers to sustainability, spirituality, and social cohesion.
As the setting sun reflects on the calm waters during Chhath Arghya, the sight transcends religion and geography — it becomes a symbol of humanity’s gratitude to the cosmos. With UNESCO recognition, this symbol might soon shine brighter on the global stage.
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