In a world where humans cut trees to build towers, pollute rivers for comfort, and forget to look at the sky, India still pauses once a year to thank the Sun. When nature is dominated by humankind, Chhath Puja stands like a prayer in return in thr form of a festival where people bow not for blessings of money or fame, but for the light, water, and earth that keep them alive.
As dawn creeps across the ghats of Varanasi, women in bright saris step into the cold Ganga. They carry bamboo baskets filled with fruits, sugarcane and flowers without any plastic, decoration or anything artificial. Just what nature gives. The air smells of incense and river water. Everything feels soft, pure and timeless.
Among them stands Mrs. Tannu and her mother-in-law Mrs. Geeta Devi, both natives of Varanasi. For twenty years, they have celebrated Chhath together. Smiling gently, Geeta Devi says,
This is the festival where we fast and pray for the long life of our children and husband. We honour Lord Surya,the giver of life.”
The simplicity of the ritual is what makes it powerful. There are no idols, no grand temples, no music. Only nature including the sun, water, air, fruits, grains and flowers.
Everything we use comes from the earth,”
Geeta Devi adds.
And everything we offer goes back to it.”
Nearby, a local priest stands waist-deep in the Ganga, holding his own basket of offerings.
The Sun and water are the source of life,”
he says softly.
Everything that grows on earth is possible because of them. When we pray, we thank the Sun for creating all living things. Every fruit, every flower we offer is like his child. And when we stand in the river, we ask him to take care of our children too.”
In his words lies both faith and science. The ancient tradition of Chhath is not just spiritual but it’s also deeply natural. Standing in the river helps balance the body’s energy; fasting purifies the system; facing the sunlight improves mood and strengthens immunity. Our ancestors might not have used these words, but they understood the rhythm of the earth and built a ritual around it.
As the first light of the sun touches the river, the ghats glow like liquid gold. The entire city seems to breathe in unison; chanting, praying, waiting. The moment feels both silent and full of sound. The diyas (lamps) begin to float, turning the Ganga into a moving sky.
For the people of Varanasi, Chhath is more than a tradition. It is a conversation with nature. A promise that they will respect what keeps them alive. In a time when the planet struggles with pollution and greed, this festival whispers the oldest truth: we survive only when nature does.
On September 28, 2024, during his Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Chhath should be recognized as part of the world heritage. His words echoed what many already believe that this festival is not just for India, but for the world to learn from.
The year before, in 2023, India hosted the G20 Summit in Delhi, where leaders spoke about Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of protecting the environment. Chhath Puja already practices what those goals preach. It is a celebration of sustainability without ever naming it and using only biodegradable offerings, no electricity, no plastic and complete harmony with the elements.
When the evening sun begins to sink, the same people who prayed to the rising sun now offer water to the setting one. This dual worship shows that life and death, day and night, giving and taking—all are parts of one circle.
As the crowd starts to leave, the river glows with thousands of tiny lamps drifting away. Mrs. Tannu holds her son’s hand and smiles. “Every year,” she says softly,
I feel like the river listens. I give her my prayers, and she carries them somewhere safe.”
And that is the beauty of Chhath Puja as it teaches without words, heals without noise and reminds us gently that even in a world full of machines, the Sun still rises for us all.
Also Read | 36 Hours Without Water, Standing Knee-Deep in Cold Water Offering to Sun: The Unique Science of Chhath
