Photo Story: Chhath Puja: A Prayer to the Sun and Nature
Chhath Puja is one of India’s most ancient and spiritually significant festivals, celebrated with great devotion, particularly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and parts of West Bengal. Dedicated to the Sun God, Surya, and Chhathi Maiya, the festival expresses gratitude to nature, the ultimate source of life and energy.
Observed over four days, Chhath involves rigorous rituals, fasting and prayer. Devotees maintain strict discipline and prepare traditional offerings of fruits, sugarcane, coconuts and homemade delicacies. The most important rituals take place at sunset and sunrise, when thousands gather along riverbanks and water bodies to offer Arghya to the setting and rising sun.
Photo Story: Ballad of the Water, the Woods & the Woman: Monsoon Haats of Koraput
The sight of devotees standing waist-deep in water, holding bamboo baskets filled with offerings, creates an atmosphere of extraordinary devotion. The golden reflections of the sun, flickering lamps and devotional songs transform the riverbanks into spaces of spiritual serenity.
What makes Chhath unique is its reverence for both the setting and rising sun, symbolising gratitude, acceptance and hope.
Beyond religion, Chhath celebrates humanity’s inseparable connection with nature and reinforces the importance of preserving our natural resources. It is a beautiful expression of faith, endurance and collective harmony.
Chhath is not merely a festival; it is a heartfelt prayer to life, nature and the eternal source of light.
NILANJAN RAY has a handful of exposed stock on “HUMAN INTEREST” and keeps stock of other people’s money in a Bank since it is his profession. He has received Merit Prize from National Geographic, USA & National Award from Photo Division, Govt. of India twice.
His Solo Photography Exhibition on ‘VARANASI - AN ETERNAL CITY’ was organized by OXFORD BOOKSTORE, Kolkata, NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, (NCPA), Mumbai and INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE (IIC), New Delhi.
His Solo Photography Exhibition on “FAITH – A QUAINT EMOTIONS” was organized by INDIA INTERNATIONAL CENTER, NEW DELHI.
Other than above, his photographs were selected for exhibition at British Council, UNICEF, ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS, Calcutta, LALIT KALA ACADEMY, New Delhi etc. Photographs are also selected for a Book” Framed City”- published at Indian Art Festival, New Delhi. Photographs were also selected for a Book “INDIA- 5 Senses“ by Roli Books. Photographs & Articles are published regularly in leading daily Newspapers and Magazines.
