Chhath Puja is celebrated widely across India. In cue of the festivities, Bollywood actor Pankaj Tripathi speaks about how he would attend the puja at his hometown located in Belsand, and also reminisces the times when his mother used to do the puja.
The Bareilly Ki Barfi actor said, “During the puja, we worship the Sun. The significance is that we need water and sunlight to survive, so essentially, we worship Nature, thanking it for all that it gives us (humans). It teaches us that we should respect and preserve nature, be responsible towards the environment and teach our kids the same.”
The actor adds that, “I remember, everyone in the village would share the crops they had grown, from banana to grains etc., with their neighbours. There was always a rush to go home for Chhath Puja and there would be crowded buses and trains. Back then, we would wait for new clothes and festivities. I’d help in cleaning the house and preparing for the puja. I’d also visit the tailor to remind him to keep our clothes ready as growing up, we’d get clothes stitched. Kyonki readymade ka chalan nahin tha.”
The aureate Chhath Puja festivities have also helped to induce the actor within himself. “Growing up, I’d participate in plays in my hometown during the two days after the festival. Those were such wonderful times and I have some lovely memories,” he concludes.
