Socio-economical connect of Chhath Puja ; Migration and Reverse Migration.

"If a festival were to be celebrated on the moon, it would undoubtedly be Chhath Puja"

In the U.S., Chhath Puja is celebrated in places like Queens and Long Island (New York City), Flushing Meadows Park and Jamaica Bay; along the Lake Michigan shore or at the Chicago River in Chicago; the San Francisco Bay Area and local parks and temples; along the Potomac River and various temples in Washington D.C.; New Jersey and Edison at the Raritan River and local community centers, and in many other locations across the country and around the world.

Chhath Puja no longer limited to Bihar, U.P or Jharkhand is celebrated in the Indian subcontinent and around the world. This festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God (Surya) and his consort, Usha.

The festival is steeped in Hindu mythology:

Lord Ram and Sita performed Chhath Puja to thank the Sun God for their safe return after exile.

Draupadi performed Chhath Puja during the Pandavas' exile to seek divine blessings.

Karna, renowned for his devotion to the Sun, performed Chhath Puja regularly, symbolizing gratitude for strength and protection.

The ritual thus became associated with his character, symbolizing gratitude toward the Sun God for strength and protection.

The Socio-Economic Reasons for Chhath Puja is not just Agrarian Society and Sun Worship which is rooted in the agrarian economy of northern India, especially in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh but also Migration and Labor Mobility:

The Chhath geet includes many different types of songs, those related to the return of the husband or return of a loved one (like a migrant laborer coming home) are particularly significant in celebrations.

The migration of labor, particularly from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to larger urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even abroad, has a significant impact on the observance of Chhath Puja. It creates a phenomenon where workers, who may be separated from their families for most of the year, return home during the festival to participate in the rituals and family gatherings.

Transnational Migration:

With many migrants now working abroad, especially in the U.S, European countries, Gulf countries, Chhath Puja has taken on a transnational dimension. Migrants working in countries like Qatar, Dubai, or Saudi Arabia sometimes create small community events to observe the festival.

Return Migration: In response to the economic pull of urban centers, many labor migrants return to their villages to celebrate Chhath Puja with their families. This return migration for the festival is an important socio-cultural practice that often involves significant expenses for the migrants, but it reinforces the connection between the migrant laborer and their rural roots.

This return migration, especially to Bihar, is an expression of cultural identity and family bonding. It ensures that the traditional rituals are passed on to future generations.

Economic Sentiments and impact:

For many labor migrants, Chhath Puja is not only a time for religious observance but also an opportunity to reconnect with their hometowns and kin. During this time, migrant workers often send money back to their villages to contribute to the festival's celebrations, buy new clothes, and participate in the community gatherings. This influx of remittances helps local economies and strengthens the ties between migrants and their home regions.

The Retail Sales is at its peak and the Markets are flooded with items needed for the rituals.

The Puja leads to a surge in demand for transportation, both in rural-urban and inter-state travel. Bus, train, and air travel experiences a significant spike in demand.

The Puja indirectly promotes the flow of remittances to rural areas as migrant workers provide financial support to their families, who use it for the festival. This influx of money reinforces the economic dependence of rural households on remittances, which in turn impacts local markets and economies.

Conclusion:

Chhath Puja serves as an important socio-economic event that ties religious practices with the realities of labor migration. It underscores how migration for economic reasons influences not only the personal lives of migrant workers but also has a broader impact on their communities back home.