Celebrating Chhath Puja in Canada
A Sacred Tether to Bihar’s Traditions in the Great White North
For Biharis living in Canada, thousands of miles from the sun-kissed ghats of the Ganga and the vibrant rhythms of Patna, Chhath Puja is more than a festival—it’s a heartbeat. In a land where snowflakes often replace the warm dust of Bihar’s riverbanks, the diaspora transforms Canadian landscapes into holy sites of devotion.
From Bihar’s Ghats to Canada’s Shores
Chhath Puja, often called the "Mahaparv," is a four-day festival of purity and reverence for nature. Traditionally celebrated six days after Diwali, it involves rigorous fasting and offering Arghya to the Sun God.
In cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, devotees have recreated sacred spaces, turning Lake Ontario, the Bow River, and even local community pools into their own holy ghats. Standing knee-deep in chilly Canadian waters with soops (cane baskets) filled with Thekua, they bridge the gap between their new home and their roots.
The Four Days of Devotion
The rituals are followed with meticulous discipline, even in the freezing Canadian November:
| Day | Ritual | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Nahay Khay | Purification bath and the first meal of Lauki Bhaat. |
| Day 2 | Kharna | Day-long fast broken in the evening with Kheer and Roti. |
| Day 3 | Sandhya Arghya | Offering prayers to the setting sun at the water's edge. |
| Day 4 | Usha Arghya | Offering prayers to the rising sun, followed by breaking the fast. |
The Legacy of Sharda Sinha
No Chhath celebration in Canada is complete without the soul-stirring songs of the late Sharda Sinha. Her voice, echoing through community halls in Mississauga or Brampton, serves as the ultimate emotional trigger for nostalgia. Songs like "Ho Dinanath" or "Pahile Pahil Chhathi Maiya" connect the past with the present, making the cold Canadian dawn feel like a golden morning in Bihar.
Challenges and Adaptations
Celebrating in Canada requires unyielding faith. When temperatures dip below freezing in Edmonton or Winnipeg, devotees bundle up in traditional Banarasi sarees layered with warm shawls.
- Artificial Ghats: Cities often have restrictions on natural water bodies, leading organizations like the Bihar and Jharkhand Canadian Cultural Association (BAJCCA) to set up heated indoor tanks or eco-friendly inflatable pools.
- Sourcing Prasad: Indian grocery hubs like Gerrard Street (Toronto) or Main Street (Vancouver) become essential for finding Thekua ingredients, sugarcane, and fresh coconuts.
A Bridge Between Two Worlds
As the sun rises over a Canadian lake, casting golden rays on devotees, the scene is a love letter to Bihar. It is a moment when every immigrant feels the Ganga’s flow in their veins and knows they have successfully carried their culture across oceans. Jai Chhathi Maiya!
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