Jivesh Jha’s ‘Beneath the Sun: Equality for Everyone, The Spirit of Chhath Festival’ presents an in-depth exploration of the magnificent Chhath festival, a vibrant and sacred celebration cherished in Nepal and India.
With a remarkable insight, Jha delves into the festival’s rich rituals, the deep values it upholds, and its multi-faceted significance. The Chhath festival honours the Sun God and his divine consort, Shasti Devi, also known as Chhathi Maiya, who is revered as the consort of Sun God in the Vedic tradition, where Usha, the Sun God’s wife, is identified as Chhathi Maiya.
Jha effectively introduces Chhatha as a unique Vedic festival, celebrated primarily in Nepal’s Tarai-Madhesh and in India’s Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand for centuries. He discusses the festivity, which spans four days and is dedicated to the Sun God and his wife Usha. The devotees observe rigorous fasting and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun. Jha emphasizes that the proximity to water connects devotees with the divine. He believes that the festival is celebrated by the devotees with great zeal and enthusiasm, driven by a strong belief that the benevolent Sun will bless their families with success and prosperity.
Published in October 2024, the book brings together a collection of six chapters that provide a compelling exploration of the Chhath festival, going beyond its religious significance to highlight its social, environmental and cultural dimensions. The book begins with a Foreword where a noted literary figure, Dhirendra Premarshi, discusses about the book’s exceptional explorations in short and argues, “Chhath aims to promote biodiversity and stands as one of Mithila's most significant welfare-oriented festivals, emphasizing scientific values and humanity. Jivesh Jha's current outstanding work explores the multifaceted welfare aspects of the Chhath festival.”
In addition, the book features a brief introduction by Anil Dixit, a professor of Law at Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India, in which he argues that the festival advocates for equity, environmental conservation and fraternity. Prof Dixit also believes that Jha’s book effectively elaborates on the multi-dimensional significance of this grand festival.
Author Jha argues that Chhath is more than a festival; it is a testament to the rich cultural heritage, religious devotion and social cohesion of its people. He argues that the festival promotes values of discipline, devotion and environmental stewardship, while celebrating a shared cultural heritage that binds communities together.
Jha believes that Chhath continues to hold immense significance, symbolizing reverence for nature and gratitude toward the life-sustaining Sun God, Surya, making it an integral part of Nepal's and India's cultural fabric.
The first chapter introduces Chhath, discussing its celebration, timing, and the deity honored during the festival. The second chapter explores references to Chhath in scriptures. The third chapter details the rituals, offerings, like Thekuwa, Bhuswa and the fruits, and preparations involved, such as setting up the Ghat, cleaning water bodies, observing rigorous fasting for over 36 hours, singing folk songs, and offering prayers to the setting and rising sun while standing in waters.
The fourth chapter examines the values associated with the festival, including its messages on environmental conservation, equality, fraternity, the ultimate goals of rituals and its broader impact on humanity. The fifth chapter focuses on the economic aspects, highlighting how artisans making pottery and bamboo baskets, as well as farmers and vendors, earn significant income by selling their goods and services during Chhath. Jha believes that the use of potteries and baskets made from bamboo in the festival provides an opportunity to protect and promote traditional knowledge.
Finally, the book concludes with a meaningful summary. Acknowledging the festival's profound cultural significance, the book stands as a testament to the power of rich cultural traditions in fostering social harmony and environmental stewardship. Jha’s book on the Chhath festival is a work of meticulous research, offering a detailed account of the festival and its deep significance in promoting agriculture, an organic lifestyle, environmental conservation and social harmony.
(Nepali is a section officer at the Rajbiraj high court)
