Ganga Erosion Alters Chhath Puja Traditions in Hajipur, Bihar
Erosion along the Ganga River forces villagers in Hajipur to create artificial ghats for Chhath Puja, changing long-held traditions.
Hajipur, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : In Hajipur, Bihar, the ongoing erosion of the Ganga River is significantly impacting the traditional celebrations of Chhath Puja. Once, thousands of devotees would gather at riverbanks to offer prayers, but this year, circumstances have drastically changed. Due to severe erosion, residents from around 20 villages are forced to forgo their customary ghats and instead prepare to create artificial ones at home.
Ajay Paswan, a local resident, explained that the relentless erosion and flooding have affected many villages, including Desri, Sahadei, Ganiyari, Khargapur, and Azampur. For years, villagers celebrated Chhath at the riverbanks, where they would gather with family and fellow devotees to offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. This annual gathering fostered a vibrant atmosphere of communal worship.
However, the current situation has made it unsafe to access the traditional ghats. Continuous land erosion along the river has rendered the paths to the ghats perilous for pilgrims. Consequently, residents from the impacted villages have decided to construct artificial ghats within their communities.
Manjay Kumar Ram noted the rapid erosion of the Ganga, which poses an ongoing threat to riverside areas. Given these conditions, it is no longer feasible for devotees to conduct Chhath Puja at the river. Instead, they will arrange water sources at home to create makeshift ghats and perform their rituals with devotion.
Historically, celebrating Chhath Puja by the Ganga has been a cherished tradition for these villagers. Each year, large crowds would gather to worship Chhathi Maiya. Yet, the recent natural disasters and river erosion have transformed this long-standing practice.
Villagers emphasize that Chhath Puja embodies faith, devotion, and reverence for nature. While the location of their worship may change, their faith remains unwavering. Prioritizing safety, they will conduct their rituals at home and in their villages. Nonetheless, the absence of the traditional crowds and festive atmosphere along the riverbanks will be felt this year.
