Why can’t we declare “Chhath Puja” as National Festival of India ?

   On the eve of Deepawali, entire country is on their toes, particularly NCR & surrounding cities, in anticipation of further deterioration in Air & noise pollution. Infact supreme court has to interfere to ensure No/limited cracker this Diwali which might be working as safety valve in the pressure cooker yhe lives of people residing in NCR.

Four days after Deepawali marks the beginning of the celebration of Chhath Puja . As per environmentalists Chhath puja is most eco-friendly festival on Earth & is probably the most close to nature too. It is unique & the only Hindu festival where Idol worship is not performed, but rather a tribute is payed to the rising as well as the setting sun for helping every single creature on earth to survive.

The ancient Vedas’s talks the about adulation of Lord Surya .In Mahabharata, it is also mentioned that  Draupadi  performed the ritual of Chhath Puja .It is believed that Lord Ram & Mata Sita offered puja to Lord Surya in the month of Kartik Shukla Paksha, which is 06 day of the month of Kartika in the Vikram Samvat during their coronation, after returning to Ayodhya,  from an exile for 14 years. Since then Chhath Puja became traditional & the purest festival, particularly for people from Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP, Nepal along with their diaspora across India & many other countries too.

This ancient festival signifies many social & natural messages to modern India :

1. Swachh Bharat & Swasth Bharat Abhiyan : Millions of money are being  spent for so many years.. Chhath puja ensures mass cleanliness drive in & around society including river & ponds too . It also serve the purpose of “Namami Ganga Abhiyan” & other similar river cleanliness drive too.

Food is strictly vegetarian & cooked preferably in earthen pot to ensure purity of food. The main devotees even maintain Nirjal vrat during the 2nd last & last day of four days celebration( fast without taking drop of water for approx 36 hours).

2. Universal brother hood & humanity: In this is participative festival, anyone & everyone is invited to participate , irrespective of religion, cast , creed, gender & social stigmas. Infact Chhath is a gender neutral, as usually women take lead role, yet large number of men also observe the fast.  Chhath is the only festival which offers Prayer ( Surya Namaskar ) to the setting sun followed by the next day’s rising sun,. Infact Chhath puja spreads the message of “Vasudev Kutumbakam” message.

3. Global warming & renewal energy: Chhath festival signifies the message of  judicial & thoughtful uses of natural resource particularly the Sun & the rivers .Chhath is the festival of offering prayers to Lord Surya & Maa Ganga. India has taken lead by forming International Solar Alliance.

Keeping consideration of above facts & no involvement of Murti worship, Why can’t we declare “Chhath Puja” as National Festival of India ? Agree , then like & forward it your group.

Disclaimer : Author is an independent Professional & Social Leader. Above mention is his personal opinion base on some basic research.

.