A grand display of faith and community spirit illuminated Singapore on Oct 27 and 28 as the BiJhar association hosted a grand celebration of Chhath Puja at the Sindhi Association Singapore.
Around 400 Indian-origin families from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh came together in reverence and joy to honour Surya Dev (Sun God) and Chhathi Maiya (Surya’s sister).
The two-day celebration reflected the beauty and discipline of one of India’s most sacred festivals.
On the evening of Oct 27, devotees gathered to offer Arghya (prayers) to the setting sun amid chants of “Jai Chhathi Maiya” and “Surya Bhagwan ki Jai”.
The premises glowed with lamps, hymns, and traditional songs as the faithful stood in water-filled pools to make their offerings.
A community dinner followed, where families dined together as one extended community, embodying the festival’s spirit of unity.
The next morning, Oct 28, devotees offered Usha Arghya to the rising sun, praying for health, prosperity, and peace for their families and the world.
The vratis (devotees observing the fast) – Mamta Jha, Spradha Sinha, Kiran Kumari, Amar Kumar, Anamika Kumari, and Shipra Jha – performed the rituals with deep devotion.
Sharing their experiences, they said that even thousands of kilometres away from home, “it felt as though we were standing on the banks of the Ganges”.
Mrs Mamta described Chhath as “a sacred festival of gratitude towards Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, symbolising life, energy, and spiritual vitality”.
She added that BiJhar’s efforts made it possible to perform every ritual authentically in Singapore, allowing devotees “to feel blessed and connected to their roots”.
After the rituals, the devotees distributed thekua (traditional fried cookie), fruits, and prasad – traditional offerings symbolising purity, simplicity, and togetherness.
The celebration drew participants not only from the Indian diaspora but also from other communities and non-Indian guests, who expressed admiration for the discipline, devotion, and environmental consciousness of the festival.
Chhath Puja, one of India’s most ancient and eco-friendly festivals, celebrates the Sun as a source of life and harmony with nature. Observed over four days, devotees undertake a rigorous fast – often without food or water – and offer prayers to both the setting and rising sun, representing gratitude and balance in the cycle of life.
BiJhar Singapore President Shiwani Khirwal said the festival is “a reminder of unity, roots, and shared devotion”.
She explained: “Even though we are far from our native place, our faith remains the same. We wanted everyone to feel at home, so we recreated the spirit of togetherness here, complete with traditional water pools for the rituals.”
She wished that the blessings of the Sun God bring “happiness, peace, and prosperity to all”.
Visiting academic Professor Rajeev Verma from Delhi praised the celebration, calling it “a grand showcase of love, equality, and environmental awareness”.
He remarked: “This festival offers prayers to both the setting and rising Sun, symbolising the cyclical nature of life. Hats off to all the women vratis for their committed worship, highlighting the richness of Indian culture.”
The event concluded with collective prayers and heartfelt thanks from BiJhar Singapore to all volunteers, devotees, and guests.
“Chhath Puja will continue to shine as a symbol of togetherness and tradition for the Indian diaspora in Singapore,” said Mrs Khirwal.
RELATED STORIES
16 Sep 2025 10:04
