People of Bihar observe Chhath with camaraderie in Malaysia

Celebrated singer and now former doyen of Bhojpuri devotional and folk music, Sharada Sinha's ‘Deenanath Ho', ringing in the air, rangolis, diyas and flowers decorating the ‘puja sthan', colourful canopies, women in all their finery wearing the traditional orange vermillion and men carrying the ‘daala' on their heads, lend a perfect backdrop to the Chhath festivities and prayers observed in Geeta Ashram Mandir in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Organised by the Bihar Cultural Association, Malaysia, a cultural community group set up by expatriates from Bihar and Jharkhand, this is the fourth year of Chhath observance with full display of rituals and ceremonies in a local Hindu temple.

The president of the association, Alok Sinha, said, "With each passing year, the number of families participating and joining in the Chhath festivities is growing. This year, we witnessed more than 200 plus members at the Usha Arghya, with some members even coming from other states like Penang."

Ruchi Rajesh, a native of Bihar and IT entrepreneur, who has made Malaysia her home since last 25 years, said, "The sight of so many vratis doing the rituals just as it is done back home makes me both emotional and also swells up my heart with pride. While all the gaiety and fun are on display, we can also get a glimpse of the Bihari spirit of holding onto their culture and discipline. Last year, some of my Malay friends came to see this unique spiritual event and went back with awe after seeing how we worship Sun God and Nature and the deep significance of worshipping both dusk and dawn."

The community spirit was at the fore during the run-up to the Chhath preparations. Bharti Verma, one of the vratis, said, "I never felt alone as each member of our community rallied and supported like families do back in our hometown".

The Chhath festival distinguishes itself through its focus on the Sun and it involves the observance of discipline and strict rituals that last for four days.

"The vratis, despite being away from Bihar, upheld the sanctity of Chhath, emphasising its significance to younger generation and the broader community in Malaysia," said Alok.

India's deputy high commissioner in Malaysia, Subhashini Narayanan, community affairs counsellor Amrita Dash and other senior diplomats from Indian High Commission attended the Chhath celebrations in an acknowledgement of the vibrancy Bihari community brings to the Indian diaspora of South East Asia.


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