11.17.07
Chhath Festival
The second day (Friday Nov 16, 2007) of the Chhath festival was observed with great fervour at various places in Nepal, with women worshipping the setting sun and offering arghas. Thousands of devotees gathered on the banks of the river and ponds to pay respects to the Sun God. Special prayers were conducted for the welfare and prosperity of their families. The festival is celebrated six days after Dipawali. It is especially significant for married women. They observe a two-day fast and offer prayers while keeping almost three-quarters of their body immersed in water for two hours. The Chhath festival ends with final prayers on Saturday morning at sunrise.
Photo: Shanker Acharya/Birgunj
The fasting women devotees offered arghas to the setting sun at nearby ponds and rivers, also singing folk and devotional songs in the praise of the “Chhathi Mata”.
Photo: Pankaj Shrestha/Birgunj
This festival is considered a symbol of cleanliness, devotion and cordial relationship and goodwill among people. It is the time devotees worship the sun, which has been illuminating the whole earth and providing light to all the creatures in the world. According to history, the celebration is believed to have begun from the time of Dwapar Yuga (era), when the five Pandavs, while in exile in the forest, had worshipped the sun, asking for victory in the Mahabharat war.
Photo: Shyam Sundar Shashi/Janakpur
Photo: Bhim Ghimire/Biratnagar
Photo: Shyam Sundar Shashi/Janakpur
Photo: Rabindra Upreti
Photo: Shyam Sundar Shashi/Janakpur
Photo: Lila Ballav Ghimire/Biratnagar
Photo: Shanker Acharya/Birgunj
Photo: Shanker Acharya/Birgunj
Photo: Bhim Ghimire/Biratnagar
Photo: Subodh Singh/Birgunj
Photo: Subodh Singh/Shanker Acharya, Birgunj
Photo: Subodh Singh/Birgunj
Photo: Subodh Singh/Birgunj
Pinto/TX said,
April 17, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Wonderful job…nostalgic….keep the good work
Mahendra/NC.USA said,
April 25, 2008 at 10:54 pm
I like these colourfull pictures as well as great festible of my motherland.I miss it because I like it.Keep it up for e…..Thanks a lot for beautifull snap.God bless Nepal and their citizen.
Balaram (Atlanta, Ga, USA) said,
May 29, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I really like this photography which helps to preserve nepalese culture and also help to introduce our cultural values to many people in world via web. I am expecing more of these.
sureyesh k chaudhary said,
June 5, 2008 at 1:14 pm
hi, This is sure-yesh k chaudhary.i wannna say something about this pic because i miss chat festival previous year.i’m so sad so time because i miss,miss all families and good moment chat time,bcz iam now dubai.
sure-yesh k chaudhary ,
bara,dumarwana,bawanipur 6
dubai now adays.
Nandkishor Yadav.JananpurDham said,
June 14, 2008 at 2:01 am
Photos are mindblowing.
Niraj Bhujel Siraha Bhaluwahi said,
June 16, 2008 at 8:19 am
Hi this is a good job. Now I am feeling same like siraha bhaluwahi. Happy chatha parba.
Kranti Singh (Qatar) said,
June 18, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Really many many thanks from the core of my heart… it’s really impressive job and we remember our home as soon as we see these photos. but please try to collect photos from remote areas also. It’s really very pleasant job & a great contribution in the development of religion….and I will be expecting more to come in near future…. again thanks alot.
pravin singapore said,
June 22, 2008 at 5:56 am
hi i am pravin from singapore when i see this picture i really miss my mom it make me cry & i also miss chath i wannna say something about this pic because i miss chat festival previous year.i’m so sad so time because i miss,miss all families and good moment chat time,
Ashok Kr. Kushwaha said,
June 24, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Hi,
you are really appreceiable for the above pictures if possible please try to update some more pictures related to terai tradition and culture
once again thank you very much
Regards,
Ashok
Mearsk Oil
manjur khan and my house is nepal birgunj said,
June 25, 2008 at 2:09 pm
hi i am pravin from singapore when i see this picture i really miss my mom it make me cry & i also miss chath i wannna say something about this pic because i miss chat festival previous year.i’m so sad so time because i miss,miss all families and good moment chat time