Unique Chhath Tradition at Sitacharan in Munger Ties to Goddess Sitas Worship of the Sun

Munger, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : The Chhath festival, celebrated with great fervor in Bihar, holds a unique significance in Munger. At the heart of this celebration is the Sitacharan temple, located on a rocky outcrop in the Ganges. This site is deeply connected to the religious beliefs surrounding Goddess Sita and Sage Mudgal. According to tradition, it is believed that Goddess Sita worshipped the Sun God here while residing at Sage Mudgal’s ashram, offering prayers to both the setting and rising sun.

During Chhath, Sitacharan becomes a major pilgrimage site for devotees. Locals regard the footprints on the large stone in the Ganges as those of Goddess Sita. This sacred place is also known as Sitacharan or Manipashan. The lore suggests that after the defeat of Ravana, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita visited Sage Mudgal’s ashram, where he advised her to worship the Sun. This narrative forms a crucial part of Munger’s Chhath traditions, referenced in the Ananda Ramayana.

Historical records, such as the Munger District Gazetteer published in 1926, mention the stone and its footprints, providing a documented reference to the local religious beliefs associated with this site. However, these narratives and beliefs cannot be independently verified as historical events. The tradition is also linked to Sage Mudgal, with the area historically referred to as Mudgalpur or Mudgalgiri before evolving into Munger.

Munger’s unique Chhath celebration is further enhanced by the northward flow of the Ganges at the Khasthaharani Ghat. The northward flowing Ganges is considered especially sacred. During Chhath, devotees travel by boat to Sitacharan to offer prayers to the Sun God. This site attracts a significant number of devotees, contributing to the distinct identity of Munger’s Chhath festival. However, the celebrations extend beyond Sitacharan, with large gatherings at various ghats in the city, including Khasthaharani Ghat, Babua Ghat, Sozhi Ghat, Jail Ghat, and Kankad Ghat.

Throughout the four-day festival, which includes rituals like Nahai Khai, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya, and Usha Arghya, the entire city immerses itself in a devotional atmosphere. Munger is also recognized in Bihar’s folk music tradition. The traditional Chhath song “Mora Bhaiya Jayela Mahanga Munger,” sung by the renowned Bihar Kokila, Sharda Sinha, mentions the city, linking it to family life and the festive spirit.

The Chhath tradition in Munger beautifully weaves together the religious narrative of Sitacharan, the memory of Sage Mudgal, the faith in the northward Ganges, and the cultural heritage reflected in Sharda Sinha’s songs. This tradition not only holds religious importance but also conveys a message of respect for the Ganges, nature, community life, and social harmony.