Tejashwi Yadav extends Chhath Puja greetings, reflects on the setting sun
Synopsis
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav greeted the nation on Chhath Puja on 15 November 2026, calling it the world's only festival to worship a setting sun and reflecting that contributions made in a lifetime must never be forgotten.
Key Takeaways
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav posted Chhath Puja greetings on 15 November 2026 .
Chhath Puja is described as the world's only festival that worships a setting sun.
The first arghya (ritual offering) to the setting sun was offered on this day.
Yadav drew a philosophical parallel: even a waning being's contributions must be remembered.
Chhath holds deep cultural and political resonance in Bihar , where RJD maintains a strong support base.
On the auspicious evening of Chhath Puja, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav marked the first arghya (ritual offering) to the setting sun with a heartfelt message for the nation — weaving together devotion, philosophy, and the unique spirit of Bihar's most beloved festival.
Posting on Sunday, 15 November 2026, Yadav wrote: 'Heartfelt Chhath Puja greetings to all fellow countrymen! Today, the first arghya was offered to the setting sun. Chhath is the world's only festival that worships a setting sun. Even if a being's strength wanes, their debts — the contributions they have made in their lifetime — must never be forgotten.'
The only festival that bows to a setting sun
Chhath Puja is one of the most distinctive festivals in the Hindu calendar. Unlike most solar observances that centre on the rising sun, Chhath uniquely venerates the sun in its descent. The ritual unfolds across four days, with devotees standing in rivers and water bodies, offering arghya to the sun at both sunset and sunrise. The festival is observed with particular fervour across Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, and among Bihari diaspora communities across India and the world.A philosophical thread through the ritual
What lifts Yadav's post beyond a routine festival greeting is its contemplative undertone. The act of worshipping a 'setting' or 'waning' sun becomes the frame for a broader thought: that the contributions of any being — however diminished their present strength — deserve enduring remembrance. The sentiment draws directly from the festival's spiritual logic, where even a sun losing its brilliance commands reverence and gratitude. For RJD, which commands a deep support base in Bihar, Chhath Puja is as much a cultural heartbeat as it is a political moment. The festival cuts across caste and class in Bihar, making it one of the rare occasions when political outreach and genuine community sentiment align without friction. As lamps flicker along the ghats of the Ganga and devotees stand in the river's current at dusk, the message from one of Bihar's most prominent young leaders carries a simple, quietly powerful reminder: gratitude outlasts glory.Point of View
Though the post stops well short of a direct political statement. For RJD, Chhath is not just ceremony; it is a reminder of the party's roots among working-class communities of eastern India. As Bihar's political landscape remains competitive, festival messaging that blends ritual authenticity with reflective thought can quietly deepen a leader's public resonance without the risks of overt campaigning.
NationPress
15 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chhath Puja and why is it special?
Chhath Puja is a major Hindu festival observed primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is considered the world's only festival that worships the setting sun, with devotees offering ritual prayers to the sun at both sunset and sunrise over four days.
What did Tejashwi Yadav say on Chhath Puja 2026?
Tejashwi Yadav extended greetings to the nation, noted that the first arghya had been offered to the setting sun, and reflected that even if a being's strength wanes, their contributions in life must never be forgotten.
Why does Chhath Puja worship the setting sun?
The festival's spiritual philosophy holds that the sun in its setting phase still commands reverence and gratitude — a practice rooted in ancient Vedic tradition that teaches humility and acknowledgement of forces that sustain life even in their diminished state.
Who is Tejashwi Yadav?
Tejashwi Yadav is a senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader, currently serving as Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly. He previously served as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.
When is Chhath Puja 2026 being observed?
In 2026, Chhath Puja fell on 15 November , with the first evening arghya offered to the setting sun on that date.
