How Chhath Puja Became a Political Stage for Upcoming Bihar Elections
Siwan: As Bihar heads into a closely contested assembly election, the timing of Chhath Puja, the state’s most sacred and widely celebrated festival, has added a new dimension to the campaign trail. The four-day festival, dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and observed with fasting, prayers, and offerings at riverbanks, unites millions of Biharis each year, including those who return home from across the country to celebrate.
This year, with polling dates just days away, the ghats have become more than sites of faith. They have turned into political stages where leaders blend devotion with electioneering.
Draped in red, a woman performs rituals of Chhath Puja at Chath Ghat, Siwan. Photo: Ahmed Mir
At Barharia’s Chhath Ghat in Siwan, thousands of devotees stood knee-deep in the river, their faces glowing in the light of diyas. Among them were candidates and party workers, greeting worshippers, joining rituals, and posing for photographs.
Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] candidate Inderdev Singh Patel performed the evening rituals surrounded by supporters and camera crews. “This festival belongs to everyone,” he said. “Hindus, Muslims, everyone celebrates it with faith. May the Goddess bless all, and may I serve the people better.” His message of unity and service was part prayer, part pitch.
Inderdev Singh Patel, JD(U) candidate from Siwan, interacts with devotees at a Chhath Puja venue in Barharia ahead of Bihar’s upcoming elections. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Chhath has always been more than just a religious occasion in Bihar. It is a symbol of identity and resilience, cutting across caste, class, and community. But in an election year, it has also become a moment of political visibility. With lakhs of migrant workers returning home for the festival, candidates see an unparalleled chance to connect with voters who are otherwise spread across India.
Devotees gather for Chhath Puja as politicians arrive turning the festival ground into a scene of both devotion and dialogue. Photo: Ahmed Mir
For many devotees, however, faith remains the centre of the celebration. “Chhath Puja is our greatest festival,” said Gudiya Devi, a 45-year-old from Purani Bazaar in Barharia. “We fast for 36 hours for our families and pray for everyone’s safety. But we also pray and hope for progress. There should be factories in Bihar so that our men do not have to go to other states for work. Our sons should be able to earn here.”
Gudiya Devi from Badharia, Bihar, stands with her children after performing evening rituals during Ghat Pujan at Yamuna Ghat, Badrahia. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Siwan, once a stronghold of the late Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Mohammad Shahabuddin, is among several constituencies witnessing a tight three-way contest between the RJD, JD(U), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Here, every handshake and every appearance counts.
Faith on foot, politics on walls, devotees head for Chhath rituals amid visible election messaging in Badharia, Bihar. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Not everyone is comfortable with this overlap. “Chhath was always about culture, never politics,” said Sumit Singh, a college student. “Now, leaders are turning it into a campaign. Delhi declared a Chhath holiday, and the prime minister promised UNESCO recognition for it; all because elections are coming. Religion should not be used to win votes.”
Members of the transgender community participate in Chhath Puja prayers, celebrating devotion amid calls for social acceptance. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi accused the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of using the festival and promises of Yamuna clean-ups to win over voters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back in Muzaffarpur, alleging that the Congress and RJD were “insulting Chhathi Maiyya” to gain votes.
Faith and reverence fill the air as a woman offers tilak and prayers during Chhath Puja celebrations in Siwan. Photo: Ahmed Mir
“Our government is trying to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Chhath Mahaparva, while the Congress and RJD are insulting Chhathi Maiyya,” Modi said. “Will Bihar and India tolerate it? Will mothers who fast on Chhath tolerate it? For them, this puja is drama and nautanki? Will you punish such people or not?” the prime minister added, in his speech in Muzaffarpur.
Inderdev Singh Patel speaks to the media in Barharia, Siwan, during Chhath Pujan celebrations. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Others see the political spectacle as inevitable. “It’s all fair,” said Surya Jyoti Verma, a 55-year-old political worker with Jan Swaraj. “Every candidate is using Chhath to their advantage because they know it means everything to the people of Bihar. If they have a tool at their disposal, why won’t they use it?”
A devotee offers Arghya to the setting sun during Chhath Puja rituals at a riverbank in Siwan, Bihar. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Beyond the slogans and speeches, Chhath remains a festival deeply rooted in women’s devotion and discipline. It is a matrilineal tradition, passed from mothers to daughters.
“When I was young, my grandmother used to do Chhath in our family,” said Shivam Kumar, an independent filmmaker from Bihar. “When her health deteriorated, she passed it down to my mother, and now she continues the tradition.”
Devotees gather beneath a bridge in Siwan, Bihar, their surroundings illuminated by hundreds of diyas, as they observe Chhath Puja rituals early in the morning. Photo: Ahmed Mir
Chhathi Maiya, also known as Usha, the sister of the Sun God, is worshipped during Chhath Puja as the goddess of purity, prosperity, and motherhood.
Chhath is a festival that everyone celebrates irrespective of caste and doesn’t require a Brahman priest for the Puja. “Sun provides light energy to everyone equally and doesn’t discriminate, I think it’s high time the politicians learn from this festival instead of using it for their political gains,” added Shivam.
Prayers whispered to the river, where light meets devotion and time stands still. Photo: Ahmed Mir
As the final arghya approaches, the riverbanks shimmer with devotion and ambition alike. For devotees, Chhath remains a prayer for the Sun God’s blessings. For politicians, it is a chance to bask in that same light and perhaps, to win a few hearts before polling day.
Ahmed Mir is a freelance photo journalist based in New Delhi. Aaliya Shalla is an independent journalist based in Delhi.
This article went live on October thirty-first, two thousand twenty five, at thirty-seven minutes past three in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
