Photo Feature: Chhath Puja festivities across America

Photos of the festivities displayed the essence of the Sandhya (evening) Arghya and Usha (morning) Arghya, core rituals of Chhath Puja, often held by rivers or lakes.

Chhath Puja festivities / Image- Bihar Foundation

This week, the Indian diaspora in the United States celebrated Chhath Puja with vibrant gatherings, rich traditions, and fervent devotion across multiple states, reflecting deep connection to their homeland.

Chhath Puja, primarily observed by people from Bihar and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and his wife Usha, where devotees pray for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their family members.

The celebrations witnessed in cities such as Bentonville, Arkansas; New Jersey; California; and Chicago underscore the diaspora’s reverence for the festival, which involves rigorous fasting, offering Arghya (prayers) to the setting and rising sun, and performing rituals near water bodies.

Photos of the festivities displayed the essence of the Sandhya (evening) Arghya and Usha (morning) Arghya, core rituals of Chhath Puja, often held by rivers or lakes.

In Bentonville, Arkansas, Vratis (devotees) Nitu Kumari and Devapriya led the community in Kharna Puja, a significant ritual where offerings are made in gratitude and devotion. Shalini Chowdhury, who photographed the event, remarked, “Seeing these gatherings far from home reminds us of the cultural richness we carry, no matter the distance.”

Image- Bihar Foundation / Chhath Puja in Bentonville

Meanwhile, in Cary, North Carolina, Manoj Singh, originally from Buxar, Bihar, observed Chhath with family and friends. Singh shared, “Though we are miles away from India, our connection to Chhath keeps us rooted. The festival is not just a ritual; it's a bridge to our heritage.”

Image- Bihar Foundation / Chhath Puja in North Carolina

In New Jersey, the Bihar Jharkhand Association of North America (BJANA) organized an Usha Arghya ceremony, drawing numerous members of the Indian community, many clad in traditional attire. The organization expressed on social media, “Chhath Puja connects us with our roots, our families, and the values we cherish.”

Image- Bihar Foundation / Chhath Puja in New Jersey

Reena Gupta, celebrating in California, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “The gathering of loved ones and the atmosphere of devotion makes the experience unforgettable, even across the ocean.”