As Chhath Pooja celebrations illuminate Bihar today, Rajesh Kumar, from Gaya, reflects on the festival’s deeply personal significance. Raised in Bihar’s cultural heart, Rajesh recalls his mother’s enduring commitment to Chhath, a tradition she honored for 54 years. “Whenever my mom performed Chhath Puja, it was for almost her whole life,” he shares. “When she faced an illness similar to Alzheimer’s, I decided I would continue it. But with my busy shooting schedules, I only managed to observe it for three years. It’s been 23 years since I last participated in the rituals.”
For Rajesh, Chhath is a powerful reminder of simplicity and purity. He reflects, “Sometimes, doing nothing becomes special. There’s something unique about Chhath—a quiet reverence where everything becomes clean and pure. This festival, to me, is about joy and gratitude for nature’s gifts.” Rajesh believes that even during Navratri, people can achieve a similar purity without fasting. “Everything else is the same—Chhath’s silence is its own kind of prayer,” he adds.
A unique aspect of Chhath, he points out, is its lack of idols. “Chhath pays homage to the elements: air, water, fire, and the sun. It’s a tribute to the sun as the foundation of life,” he explains. “Offering arghya to the rising and setting sun holds tremendous meaning. It’s not about grandeur; it’s about connection.”
On the work front, Rajesh Kumar’s recent project Binny and Family has been a hit, drawing praise from audiences and industry alike. But as he reflects on Chhath, it’s clear that his heart remains deeply rooted in the traditions that shaped him.
