Patna: Preparation for chhath puja is already in full swing in Bihar. Chhath is a festival associated with faith and devotion to the Sun God. Married women observe fasts during the course of the festival. The stoves(mud-chullah)are used by women observing Chhath.
The stove on which Chhath Vrati is prepared for Chhath festival in Bihar is made by Muslim families. Not only this, but many Muslim women also observe Chhath festival.
Women of the stove-making Muslim community say that Chhath Puja is done with great purity. For this, we give up eating meat and fish from Dussehra itself and start making clay stove for Chhath Vrati.
The Muslim family, who lives in the area of Patna, makes clay stoves for Chhath Puja from Dussehra itself. These stoves are used by the families of Chhath fasting.
The stove maker, Ureshka Khatoon, Sahina Khatoon, Imtiaz Ansari and many Muslim families have been making clay stove for Chhath Puja for the last several decades.
During the Chhath Puja, the earthen stove is used to prepare prasad(Oblation). These families are busy making stove during this period. The special thing is that these days these Muslim families become vegetarian. Along with meat and fish, these families leaves food with onions and garlic.
During Chhath period, Muslim women consume vegetarian food. In conversation with ETV Bharat, one Muslim woman says,'' It is good to make clay stove for worship. I like it when someone praises my work and efforts. From Dussehra, till the end of Chhath Puja, only vegetarian food is taken so that purity remains. The price of these chullah ranges from 100 rupees to 150 rupees.''
35-year-old Shanija Khatoon says that she has been making clay stove from the last 10 years. Our ancestors also used to do the same work.
The woman further says, ''people do not even discriminate in this festival. Our family is also fasting for Chhath Puja for many years.''
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