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 alongside ongoing devotion.
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 honoring the planet's two vital life-giving elements: the Sun and Water. Rivers such as the Ganges hold a maternal reverence in Hindu tradition. By conducting the Puja on the riverbank, worshippers express gratitude to nature for their crops and sustenance.
The Flow of Life
Flowing water symbolizes the ongoing cycle of life and time. Presenting Arghya while standing in moving water indicates that although time moves forward, devotion to the divine stays unwavering.
