The source depicts riverbanks as sites for expressing gratitude to the sun and water. It connects the ghat with nature, farming life, and the symbolism of time passing as devotion persists.
The Connection Between Chhath and Natural Water Bodies
In contrast to temple-centered festivals, Chhath Puja is exclusively an outdoor celebration focused on nature. The riverbanks (Ghats) serve as the main sites of worship.
Reverence for Nature
Chhath is an environmentally conscious festival that honors the two vital elements sustaining life on Earth: the Sun and Water. In Hindu tradition, rivers such as the Ganges are venerated as motherly figures. By conducting the Puja on the riverbank, worshippers express gratitude to nature for the bounty of crops and continued existence.
The Flow of Life
Flowing water symbolizes the endless cycle of life and time. Presenting Arghya while standing in running water indicates that despite the passage of time, devotion to the divine endures unwaveringly.
