Chhath by Ekisha Singh (Book Review: 3.75*/5)!!!

  

24^th Book of 2024

I am glad that our youth is transforming and giving the respect to Indian traditions and festivals. There was a time when it had become scary as it felt that all the culture shall die down eventually seeing the Western traditions being adopted by the new generation. As the youth is getting inclined towards religion, they are moving towards reading and knowing about it as well. Surprisingly, such books are being written by youth themselves. I have just finished reading a book titled “Chhath” written by Ekisha Singh who is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree herself. This book published by Rupa publications also has a tagline that says “Worshipping the Sun, celebrating Nature”.

 

Chhath is a very prominent festival celebrated around 6^th day after Diwali – mostly in the Eastern part of India as well as Nepal. Author helps us understand what is Chhath as a festival and how it is celebrated across India these days. She tries to delve into the ancient past and gives us several legends based on which the festival is considered prominent and being celebrated era after era. She throws light upon the fact that it was considered auspicious and effective even in the era of Ramayan and Mahabharat where it is believed that Draupadi, Karna and even Lord Rama has participated in the Chhath rituals for their well-being.

 

I had only heard about Chhath as a festival celebrated in Bihar where women worship Sun by getting into the river or any water body nearby. I didn’t know a word more than that. I am quite surprised that someone could write 200 pages on this festival. This book is definitely insightful as after reading it, you would know as much about it as the people following it and in most of the cases, even more than them. Author has definitely been associated with the festival and her research around it is also evident in all the chapters that she has structured.

 

Author gives proper explanation of the four-day festival where she further explains how they are classified with different rituals namely Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Bihaniya Arghya. She gives information on the procedures people go through by keeping long-fasting session of almost 36 hours and how they worship Sun both starting from Sunset on 3^rd day and Sunrise on the 4^th day signifying that after every darkness, there is always a new fresh start.

 

She explains how the festival aligns with nature, harmony, science, planetary positions, harvesting time, health benefits etc. She also mentions the fact that it brings people of all class and segments of society together on the same pedestal even if its about preparing the prasad/food together or praying together in the same water body without any discrimination. It was wonderful reading the parallel culture being followed in different parts of the world where Sun is worshipped almost with the same importance as in Chhath.

 

Ekisha also helps us understand the relationship of Surya Dev, Chhati Maiyya and other prominent Sanatan God and Goddesses associated with this festival. In the 2^nd half of the book, authoress gets deeper and helps us understand different rituals from point of view of fasting, offering, puja site, Vedic chanting, folk singing, processions and other cultural activities. In the last part of the book, she explains the scientific benefits of participating in this chapter from the aspects of improving circadian rhythm, increasing Vitamin D, relaxing digestive system, detoxifying etc.

 

The book is knowledgeable and must be read by everyone wanting to know about this festival. It’s written in very easy language which helps us in completing it within a single sitting itself. From the drawbacks point of view, I must say that author has repeated many concepts and information multiple times which makes it irritating to read almost the same thing in every chapter. This book could have been easily summed in 100 pages. The editor must have helped the young author in structuring the book better and making it crisp. Secondly, I feel that authoress could have gone deeper into the scientific aspect of the festival the way articles are written on Mahashivratri and Ekadashi where the planetary angles etc. are described in detail.

 

Overall, this is a great attempt by the author on such a critical topic where you can’t make mistake of writing unverified facts or tales. I give this book 3.75 stars out of 5.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

Thanks!

 

WRITING BUDDHA