Chhath Puja in Bengal

By Arnab Mitra

Kolkata: Like several other parts of India, Kolkata too celebrated Chhath Puja with fervour. The banks of river Ganga witnessed a huge footfall as people came with crackers and banyans to celebrate.

Chhath Puja is mainly celebrated among the Bihari community. NewsGram reporter Soutrik Das spoke to a few Biharis to know their feelings about the way this Bihari festival has gained popularity in Bengal.

"I am living in Bengal for 20 years and celebrating Chhath Puja here is no less than that in Bihar," said Vikas Jaiswal. "Like other festivities, Chhath Puja gives a message of unity. We distribute sweets and thekuas among every community. I think the city of joy welcomes this grand festival of Biharis in their own way".

Shiven Singh, a 1st-year student of Bhawanipore College said, "My family belongs to Chapra, but every year we came to Bengal to celebrate Chhath Puja as our relatives reside here. We celebrate the puja with all our Bengali friends in Kolkata."

The Chhath Puja brings together all sections of the society and turns Kolkata into a little Bihar, where everyone celebrates their grand festival with Bhojpuri songs and launda dance.

(Photos by Arnab Mitra)