Here's how Indians are celebrating Chhath Puja in America |Watch
How Chhath Puja is Celebrated in America
Chhath Puja is a four-day festival that begins with a ritual bath in a holy river or lake. Devotees then fast for 36 hours, consuming only water. On the third day, they offer prayers to the Sun God and make offerings of fruits and vegetables. The festival culminates on the fourth day with a final offering to the Sun God and a feast for family and friends.
Chhath Puja is celebrated with huge fervour and joy in Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh. The four-day long festival was celebrated by a large number of Indian-Americans in the USA on Sunday.
Hundreds of Indian-Americans gathered at river banks, lakes and makeshift water bodies across the United States to celebrate the festival on Sunday.
Indian Americans have adapted the traditional Chhath Puja rituals to the American context. They often celebrate the festival at public parks, lakes, or rivers, and they may use makeshift ghats (platforms) for their offerings. They also incorporate American elements into their celebrations, such as singing American folk songs and eating American food.
From singing folk songs to observing fasts, the Indian American community celebrated the festival and made it a success. Chhath celebrations were observed in several states across the US including Bentonville, California, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington DC.
