Divine Creator, Nourisher, Vivifier and Destroyer.... if there is one name which combines all these attributes it is the "Surya or the Sun God "- one of the most venerated and revered natural elements, a source of light, heat, life and knowledge. From time immemorial, aware of His awesome creative might and destructive power, human beings have tried to appease Him by rituals and worship ,verses and hymns, and raising edifices in his honour.

Bihar has a living tradition of the most glorious form of Sun worship. The month of Kartik ( November), most sacred and auspicious of all the Hindu months, ushers in, six days after Deepavali, the celebration of this festival - "Chhatha-Vrata"- when the harvest season begins and the golden grain is reaped from the fields, the first crop is offered to the Sun... the Lord of Crops, the Maker of seasons ! Chhatha-Vrata is observed as a thanks giving to the deity for having granted various wishes - birth of a son, recovery from illness, protection from evil spirits and deliverance from sin.

In ancient Pataliputra and modern Patna the state capital, the sacred banks of the Ganga form one of the most important venues for this celebration.

As legends have it, "Draupadi", the wife of the "Pandavas "rulers of Hastinapur ( modern Delhi ) had performed the Chhatha -Vrata.... exiled and banished form their kingdom, living in great adversity in the forests they were faced one day with a formidable task of feeding 88 thousand wandering hermits who were to visit them. The Pandavas had barely enough for themselves and thus were hardly in a position to fulfill their obligation as Grihastha ( householders) and provide meals to the "Atithis" (Guests in this case the sages) in the customary Indian tradition. Seeing Pandavas in deep anguish, Draupadi sought the help from the noble sage Dhaumya, who impressed upon her the merits of worshipping the Sun god... Draupadi was not only able to solve her immediate problem but her Sun worship helped the Pandavas later regain their lost kingdom.

In the same tradition devotees, mostly women, faithfully worship the deity which involves a practice of rigid rites, where a single error could have an adverse effect on the worshipper. Two days before the Sun worship, devotees observe fasts to purify themselves... living away from routine house hold chores, sleeping on the floor on stacks of hay and wearing unstitched clothes, eating salt-less ritual food cooked in isolation in earthen utensils. Offered first to the Sun God, the newly harvested rice forms the main ingredient off this ceremonial food. Complete fasts are observed on the sixth day when preparations for elaborate offerings (Prasad) are made - sweetmeats, seasonal & dry fruits, vegetables and ritual objects -all placed on sieves and put in a large wicker basket are carried to the riverfront. Devotees walk barefoot or prostrate themselves on way to their destination. After the ritual bath, standing chest-deep in cold water they hold the sieves and making circular motions pause awhile facing the Savitri (the setting Sun) bowing in reverence. The process goes on till the Sun sets.

The vigil starts with mediation and chanting for the Sun-God to appear. From well after midnight countless earthen lamps are lit and places on the waterfront, their golden radiance dispelling the darkness. On the seventh morning the entire ritual is repeated. Clad in yellow saris with the parting of their hair besmeared with vermilion drawn in a straight line over their noses, they invoke the blessings of "Vivashvat" - the rising Sun.

The Chhath Festival is not just a simple religious celebration. It is a witnessing of the forces of unquestioned faith at work.

Bihar has a number of Sun temples, each of them flanked by a Suraj-kund or sacred pool of the Sun, forming a popular venue for the celebration of this festival.

Till recently being the exclusive festival of Bihar, " Chhath " has become so popular that, now it is celebrated even in other states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra etc.

Durga Puja, also known as Navaratra, begins on the first day of the bright fortnight in the month of Aswin (September-October) when the images of goddess Durga are installed. A special feature associated with this occasion is music conference in different Puja campuses for three days, on 7th, 8th, and 9th day of the Puja when a good many artists of vocal and instrumental music and various dance forms are invited from all over India to give their performances. This has become an annual event for over the several years and adds to the joy of the festival, besides sustaining the popular interest in good music. This festival symbolizes the fact that good finally overcomes the bad. Every image shows goddess Durga as Mahishasurmardini. According to Bengali tradition this festival signifies the home-coming of goddess Durga to her parents. Thus by analogy the home-coming of married daughters to their parents is an usual feature among the Bengali community and on this occasion parents give them gifts according to the capacity.

Dussehara, the final day of Durgapuja, is also known as Vijaya Dashami. According to tradition, on this day Ram set out on his journey to recover Sita and ultimately annihilated Ravan and his legions. Therefore, this day is regarded universally as very auspicious, particularly by Kshatriyas, to do anything new or even to go out somewhere. The day is otherwise spent over visits to friends and relations and their reception at home. Giant effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakaran and Meghnaad are installed at various places and are burnt with a chain of loud explosions. Ram, Sita and Lakshman are simultaneously presented in a pageant to mark the victory of the good over the forces of the evil. This event draws a large number of spectator. In the night the images of Mahishasurmardini are taken out in procession and submerged into the Ganges or other rivers and ponds and thus the 10 day long festival concludes. Durga puja is again celebrated in some parts in the Hindu calendar month of Chaitra with the same gaiety.

Ramnavami is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of legendary Ram , held to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Mahaviri Jhanda ( flag with image of Hanuman ) are taken out onthis eve almost everywhere in Bihar in huge processions and with great enthusiasm.

It is observed every year on the ninth day of Shukla Paksh (bright nights) in the month of Chaitra (April). However, Vaishnavs begin the festival as early as the first day of Shukla Paksh and conclude on the ninth day . This is also observed by Shaktas, believers in the Adishakti Bhawani,goddess Kali. It is an interesting fact that Ram Navami is preceded in the night by Vasanti Navaratra which is generally observed by Shaktas, and on the day following, on which day , at noon, Ram was born, Ram Navami is observed. The birthday of Ram is celebrated in all important temples of Ram and Sita and in the Vaishnav temples. On the ninth day of the Shukla Pakshkhira) puts it in a cradle and announces the birth of god. On this occasion congregations are regaled with stories of the exploits of the great hero Ram who conquered Lanka (Ceylon) and killed the demon king Ravan. At places, religious dramas and dances depicting episodes from Ram's life, known as Ram-Lila are organized. On the birthday of Ram many religious minded people observe fast, while others take only fruits and milk.

The festival of colours, Holi is of universal appeal and is observed on the first day of Chaitra (March-April), Holika-dahan preceding on the previous full moon night. People invariably take some intoxicants on this occasion and indulge in revelry, sometimes degenerating to extreme limits. However, with the spread of education, excesses have been moderated. Formerly people threw mud and dust on one another in the forenoon of the festival day and fast colours of different kinds were also sprinkled on passersby indiscriminately two to three days from before, but now such activities are largely on decline and people generally indulge in it within their close circles. In the evening people visit their friends and relations to develop fraternity. In countryside and semi-urban areas people sing hori and chaiti in vigorous tunes accompanied with jhal and dumph. In some places Braj-ki-hori in soft strains in accompaniment with dholak and manjira (musical instruments) is also sung. Sometimes jogira (comic opera) is also heard. This festival coincides with Vasantotsava with mango flowers in full bloom and air surcharged with their fragrance .

According to the story of Bhagavat Puran there was a struggle between vice and virtue in the persons of the demon king, Hiranyakashyapu and his virtuous son, Prahlad.

Prahlad had to suffer many trials for his faith in God. At last the demon king ordered Prahlad to sit in the lap of Holika, who was fire-proof by a boon granted to her by Brahma, while a devastating fire was burning. The devastating fire, the story mentions, did not burn Prahlad but destroyed Holika. This event is taken to vindicate the victory of the good over the forces of the evil, allegorically celebrated now by a bon-fire (Holika-dahan). On the next day the colour festival is observed and people make merry by sprinkling coloured water in day time, and in the evening smearing Abir and Gulal on one another.

Janmashtami is observed to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna who held to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is observed every year on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha ( the dark fortnight ) in the Bhadra month of the Hindu calendar. Devotees observe fast and offer worship in temples and houses to lord Krishna in the midnight of this day.

Shiv worship is widely spread in Bihar. People worship the symbol of reproduction, the lingam, but their worship is unattended by any indecent or indelicate ceremonies. Shiv-ratri is celebrated on the fourteenth day of dark fortnight in the month of Magha with great devotion by people throughout Bihar. It is held in commemoration of the marriage of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva.

Prayers and puja are offered in Shiva temples to Mahadev and his divine wife Parvati on this auspicious occasion. People, particularly women and girls, keep fast on this day.

Vivah Panchami is observed to celebrate the marriage anniversary of Ram and Sita. It is celebrated every year on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Agrahan. On this occasion people, chiefly ladies from far and wide rush to Janakpur on the border of Nepal where Ram and Sita had entered into the tie of marriage. The ceremony is celebrated with all the pomp of the marriage ceremony of an oriental prince and princess. A barat ( bridegroom's) party is organised, a boy acts as Ram while another as Sita and others as the associates of Ram and Sita.

As mentioned in the Ramayan the sacred bow is broken by Ram and Sita is wedded to him. On this occasion a big fair is held at Janakpur. These two festivals are more fondly looked forward to by the ladies.

Deepawali is a festival of lights that is celebrated on the fourteenth and fifteenth day in the dark fortnight of Kartik (October-November). Houses are decorated in the night with earthen lamps in traditional manner.

Though in recent times electrical manipulations are also visible. Even humble homes burn some earthen lamps to welcome Lakshmi (the goddess of fortune). The demon of poverty is scared away by exploding crackers in which boys take special delight. Fire-works are a special feature on this occasion. Fourteenth day or Chaturdasi is celebrated as Narak Chaturdasi that marks the day of killing of demon King Narkasur by Lord Krishna in the Dwapar yuga. The fifteenth day or Amavasya is traditionally celebrated as the day on which Sri Ram had returned home from the 14 years long self-exile or 'Vanvas' after which he was enthroned as the King of Ayodhya. Deepawali is also marked as the day of Nirvana of the founder of the Arya Samaj Maharshi Dayanand Sarswati and Mahavir Swami, the 24th Tirthankara of Jains.

This is specially a festival of women which is observed on the third bright fortnight day of Bhadrapad month (September).

This festival is also called Hartalika Teej. Mothers keep complete fast and worship Shiva-Parvati for the well-being of their husbands and children. Festival is associated with the legends of extreme austerity suffered by Parvati in course of pleasing Shiva for accepting her as his divine wife.

Sarswati Puja is celebrated mostly by the student community on the 5th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magha ( Vasant Panchami ) when the campus of various schools and colleges turn into scenes of jubilation. Dramas and musical soirees are held in which students mainly participate. The immersion of images of Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, provides a fine spectacle on the river banks when numerous boats ply on it with happy bands of students singing amidst accompaniment of musical instruments. The images are of traditional pattern though individual talents sometimes exhibit new forms. The festival heralds the advent of spring with mango buds and sweet notes of cuckoo.

Christmas, a festival of Christians (on December 25th in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ) celebrated in absolute peace and in a spirit of thanks-giving in all Christian homes and establishments.

Easter is associated with the resurrection of Christ, i.e., his coming to earth. In the month of April on holy Saturday, church bells peal wildly to herald the arrival of Christ. On Easter morning at about 4 O'clock, there is a procession in honour of the resurrection. This festival is observed by Christians in their homes and also in their churches.

Gobind Singh, the tenth and last guru of the Sikh brother-hood, was born on 22nd December 1666 (Vikrami Saptami of 1727) at Patna and the site where the Guru was born is marked by a beautiful white marble Sikh temple known as Takht Shri Harmandir jee, Patna Saheb. This temple was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab.

Birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Jee, founder of the Khalsa Panth, is celebrated with great pomp and show on 7th day in the bright fortnight of Paush month (November-December) when the followers of Sikhism from all over the world throng at Patna.

Bakrid is celebrated in the memory of Prophet Ibrahim Khalil Ulla, who preceded Prophet Mohammad. The Islamic legend says that Prophet Ibrahim was full of piety and demotion.

One night the God appeared in his dream and asked him to make a supreme sacrifice of his only nine years old son, Ismail, in "His (the God's)" name. The voice of God was final and Ibrahimtook his little son, Ismail, out for a walk and putting the boy on the ground, prayed to God in agony and commenced sacrificial rite. To save himself the torture of the ghastly scene, he put a bandage on his eyes. After the due performance of the rite, the father on removing the bandage from his eyes found Ismail standing by smiling while a healthy sheep had been slaughtered in the ritual by corrected form. Since those days, sacrifice has been prescribed in on form or another. In addition to the prescribed prayer, there is a Khutba (a sermon in Arabic). On this occasion, meat preparations, specially Kabab, are served freely in the feast and special consideration is shown to the servants and the poor to share the good things of life with their masters in absolute equality. This festival of sacrifice is theologically the greater feast and is celebrated in memory of the most poignant sacrifice in religious legend, namely, slaughter of one's own son of nine, goat-wise. It is also known as Bakrid and is celebrated on three consecutive days, the first day being most popular.

Id-ul-fitr means the festival of the breaking of the fast. The end of the period of privation and self-aberration is attended with joy and festivities and prayers are offered to God in thanks for the strength He has given to his servants who perform these religious requirements. Thus Id-ul-fitr is the festival Ramadan (the popular and somewhat inaccurate term is Ramzan Id and common people pronounce it as Ramjan Id).

The Id prayer is held at Id-Gah and other big grounds and attended by a large congregation of Muslims and the namaz is led by an Imam. Muslims convulse from all directions in procession, neatly dressed to say their prayer and after it is over, they fraternize with each other irrespective of their rank and position in life. The women stay at home during the prayers and engage themselves in serving food and drink to guest. Sewai, a sweet preparation, is popular on this occasion.

Muharram is celebrated to commemorate the death of the grandson of the prophet Mohammad who was killed in the battlefield of Karbala in Arabia.

The Shia Muslimsparticularly hold this festival with great sanctity. Tajiyas are made and taken in procession in the memory of the departed soul. Shab-e-barat is celebrated on the fourteenth day of Saban. On this day Muslims visit the tombs of their ancestors and offer prayer. Ramjan is the month of fasting according to Kuran, the holy book of the Muslims. There is a religious obligation on an adult Muslim to observe fast of one whole month. On the eve of breaking the fast each day after sunset they assemble in congregation in a mosque to offer prayer. Id is celebrated on the succeeding day of the last Ramjan or after seeing the moon. It is the day of rejoicing as it comes after a month's long fasting.