Madhesh prepares for Chhath as families return home

The festive spirit of Dashain and Tihar may have faded, but celebrations are far from over in the Tarai-Madhesh region. Chhath, one of the region’s most widely observed festivals, is now approaching, bringing families together and setting off preparations across towns and villages. In Madhesh, Dashain, Tihar and Chhath are traditionally celebrated in quick succession over the course of about a month.

After worshipping the goddesses Durga and Laxmi, devotees are now preparing to welcome Chhathi Maiya, the goddess associated with Chhath. The festival has become a defining part of the region’s religious and cultural life, with a large number of households observing its rituals. Preparations are already under way at Chhath ghats across the Tarai, including in Birgunj, where sites such as Ghadiarwa, Murli and Nagwa draw large crowds.

Cleaning and decorating the riverbanks, ponds and other water bodies used for the rituals have begun.