Chhath rituals sans priest

PATNA: It is said when the dialogue is between a man and his God, an intermediary is hardly required. And it seems true in Chhath, which is probably the only major Hindu festival without any involvement of priests.
The tradition of Chhath being a festival of the people goes back to the 13th century, says Mahavir Mandir research and publication officer Bhavnath Jha."In fact, hardly anything has changed in the methods of Chhath celebrations over the centuries. The ancient texts mention the same ways of observing Chhath as are seen in present days. No new trend has crept in the rituals," Jha said.
One of the reasons for absence of 'pujaris' from Chhath celebrations may be that the Sun god, who is worshipped by the 'Chhath vratis', is a 'Pratyaksha Devta', or one that is visible to people, Jha said adding, "It is also seen that the younger members of a family watch their elders while observing the rituals and learn directly from them. So, a priest is not required to perform the ceremonies."
Besides worshipping at a few temples of the Sun god across the state, devotees also install idols at some places to pay obeisance during Chhath. "Priests are not required to offer 'arghya' to the setting or rising sun. The 'vrati' performing the rituals just needs to chant the mantras of the Sun god during oblation (arghya)," Pandit Manoj Thakur, priest at the Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir, Boring Canal Road, told TOI.
However, Pandit Buddhan Ojha says while most people perform the rituals themselves, there are still a few people who seek the help of priests while offering the evening and morning 'arghyas' and performing 'havan'.
Rigid customs
The four-day festival, which commenced with 'nahai-khai' on Monday, is believed to have rigid customs which need to be followed meticulously. For example, when wheat grains are dried in the sun before grinding, one person actually sits at the place throughout to ward off birds, insects or pests, a devotee said, adding, "Spic and span cleanliness on the roads is also a part of the same as people fear the Sun god's and 'Chhathi Maiya's' wrath if things do not go as per the rituals."
Home-made prasad
Even the 'prasad' which is distributed to everyone is made at home by the 'vratis' taking help of friends and relatives. Special care is taken to prepare 'prasad' on clay stove and firewood. 'Thekua' and 'kasaar' are the major constituents of the Chhath 'prasad', besides the fruits such as apples, oranges, sugarcane, 'gaagar' etc. Many people especially go and ask for 'prasad' from the 'parvaitins' if they don't get it otherwise.