Tamannaah Bhatia celebrates Chhath Pooja in Mumbai, recalls Patna Ganga Aarti
Synopsis
Tamannaah Bhatia brought her Chhath Pooja wish to life at Mumbai celebrations this year — not quite the Patna riverbank she had hoped for, but close enough. Having performed the devotional song 'Chhatti Maiya' for 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest', the actress says the love from devotees has made the festival personally unforgettable.
Key Takeaways
Tamannaah Bhatia attended Chhath Pooja celebrations in Mumbai on 15 November 2026 .
She recently performed the devotional song 'Chhatti Maiya' in the film 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest' , directed by Deepak Arnab .
Tamannaah recalled attending the Ganga Aarti in Patna during the film's promotional tour and had long wished to witness Chhath Pooja in person.
Chhath Pooja is a four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya and Chhathi Maiya , primarily celebrated in Bihar , Jharkhand , and eastern Uttar Pradesh .
Key rituals include Nahay Khay , Kharna , and offering Arghya to both the setting and rising sun.
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia joined Chhath Pooja celebrations in Mumbai on Sunday, 15 November 2026, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming affection she has received from devotees. The celebration held special significance for her, having recently performed the devotional song 'Chhatti Maiya' for the film 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest', directed by Deepak Arnab.
What Tamannaah Said at the Celebrations
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the festivities, Tamannaah said, 'I am very happy to celebrate Chhath Pooja with so many people in my own city, Mumbai. I have received a lot of love. The importance of this Mahaprabha will always be with me.'
The actress described herself as fortunate to have been associated with the festival through cinema. 'I consider myself very fortunate that I got a chance to perform Chhatti Maiya's song in Chhath Pooja. Deepakji Arnab made this film with a lot of faith and showed that song. And today when we are getting so much love, we can't do anything other than returning that love,' she added.
A Long-Standing Wish to Witness Chhath Pooja
Tamannaah also recalled a memorable experience during the film's promotional tour in Patna, where she had the opportunity to attend the Ganga Aarti. 'When I went to Patna and did Ganga Aarti there during promotion, I wanted to go to Patna and see Chhath Pooja once. And I felt that I am not able to go but here I was invited,' she said, referring to the Mumbai celebrations as a fulfilling substitute for the Bihar experience she had hoped for.
About Chhath Pooja: Rituals and Significance
Chhath Pooja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, revered as the protector of children and the giver of prosperity. The four-day festival is observed predominantly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, drawing millions of devotees every year.
The rituals begin with Nahay Khay, followed by Kharna, during which devotees break a day-long fast at sunset. The most sacred moments involve offering Arghya — prayers and oblations — to the setting sun on the third day and to the rising sun on the fourth morning, typically at riverbanks, ponds, and other water bodies. Devotees prepare traditional offerings including thekua, fruits, and sugarcane, and observe rigorous fasts, often abstaining from both food and water for extended periods.
Notably, Chhath Pooja is one of the few Hindu festivals that venerates both the setting and the rising sun, symbolising gratitude, renewal, and the continuity of nature.
Film Connection and Cultural Outreach
Tamannaah's association with Chhath Pooja through 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest' has broadened conversations about the festival beyond its traditional geography. The film, directed by Deepak Arnab, incorporates the devotional song 'Chhatti Maiya' as a central cultural thread. The warm reception the song has received among audiences appears to have deepened Tamannaah's personal connection to the festival, making her Mumbai celebration this year particularly meaningful for her.
Point of View
Her Patna Ganga Aarti story and genuine enthusiasm suggest a more authentic cultural immersion — one driven partly by the film's devotional content rather than pure marketing optics. That said, the story also underscores how Hindi cinema is increasingly reaching into Bihar and eastern UP festival circuits for audience connect, a demographic that studios have historically underserved. Whether 'The Vvaan' translates that goodwill into box-office traction in those belts will be the real measure.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tamannaah Bhatia celebrate Chhath Pooja in Mumbai?
Tamannaah Bhatia attended Chhath Pooja celebrations in Mumbai on 15 November 2026 as part of events connected to the release of her film 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest', in which she performed the devotional song 'Chhatti Maiya'. She expressed that the festival holds deep personal meaning for her after her experiences during the film's promotional tour.
What is 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest'?
'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest' is a film directed by Deepak Arnab in which Tamannaah Bhatia features. The film includes a devotional song titled 'Chhatti Maiya', linked to the Chhath Pooja festival.
What did Tamannaah say about her Ganga Aarti experience in Patna?
Tamannaah said that when she visited Patna during the film's promotional tour, she attended the Ganga Aarti and had wished to witness Chhath Pooja there. She expressed that while she felt she might miss the Patna celebrations, being invited to Mumbai's festivities fulfilled that wish.
What is Chhath Pooja and when is it celebrated?
Chhath Pooja is an ancient four-day Hindu festival dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and Chhathi Maiya, the protector of children. It is celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Nepal, involving rigorous fasts, offerings of thekua and fruits, and Arghya to both the setting and rising sun.
Who directed 'The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest'?
The film was directed by Deepak Arnab, who, according to Tamannaah, made it with deep faith and incorporated the 'Chhatti Maiya' song as a devotional centrepiece.
