Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Nitin Nabin on 15 November 2026 participated in the commencement rituals of Chhath Mahaparva at Digha Ghat in Patna, taking a holy dip in the Ganga and offering traditional prayers. Reflecting on the festival's deep cultural and spiritual resonance, Nabin described Chhath as a timeless tradition that binds generations and keeps Bihar's civilisational heritage alive.

A Festival Rooted in Faith and Ancestry

Speaking at the ghat, Nabin said Chhath Mahaparva represents far more than a religious observance — it is, in his words, a living repository of Bihar's collective faith, values and social identity. He emphasised that the traditional folk songs, rituals and family customs associated with the festival have been carefully preserved and transmitted across generations.

'Through these songs and rituals, the memories of grandmothers and great-grandmothers continue to find expression in contemporary family life,' Nabin said. He noted that such practices are not merely ceremonial but serve as a vital channel for passing down cultural identity and moral values.

The BJP chief also highlighted the festival's distinctive atmosphere, where families participate collectively in preparations and worship — a convergence, he said, of devotion, discipline and togetherness that is rare among modern observances.

Environmental and Social Dimensions

Nabin drew attention to the values embedded in Chhath's practice: cleanliness, purity, self-discipline, family unity and respect for nature. He said the festival encourages harmony with one's surroundings and an awareness of natural resources in sustaining human life.

'At the same time, the festival expresses gratitude towards farmers and agricultural workers whose efforts ensure food for society. This combination of religious devotion, environmental consciousness and appreciation for human labour gives the festival a wider social message,' he said.

Highlighting its spiritual core, Nabin noted the festival's deep reverence for Lord Bhaskar (the Sun God) and Maa Ganga — two forces central to the agrarian and cultural life of the Gangetic plain.

A Personal Connection to Digha Ghat

Sharing his personal association with the tradition, the BJP chief recalled growing up witnessing Chhath celebrations, describing the festival as an inseparable part of his family's life since childhood. He said the Chhath ghats along the Ganga in the Patliputra region had been closely linked with his family and community for generations, and that his family had traditionally visited these very ghats to offer Arghya.

'The experience of witnessing the Ganga in its vastness during the festival further deepens the spiritual connection people share with the sacred river,' he added.

Chhath's Global Footprint

Nabin also underlined how Chhath has travelled far beyond Bihar, carried across India and overseas by members of the Bihari diaspora. Referring specifically to celebrations in New York, New Jersey, at Mumbai's Girgaon Chowpatty and along the Yamuna in Delhi, he said the festival's growing reach reflects the strength and continuity of Bihar's cultural legacy.

'Wherever the Bihari community has established its presence, it has continued to preserve and celebrate this distinctive tradition,' he said, adding that people from other regions have also embraced the festival, widening its social presence while retaining its traditional character.

A Message Beyond Bihar

Nabin described the four-day observance as a source of renewed spiritual energy and inner strength, saying the discipline and collective participation it inspires carry through into everyday duties throughout the year. He concluded that Chhath's emphasis on family relationships, social harmony, environmental respect, cleanliness and gratitude gives it a universal relevance — 'a meaningful message not only to Bihar but also to the entire country and the world.' The festival's prominence in public life is expected to grow further as the Bihari diaspora continues to expand globally.