Bhuinpuri, most rigorous ritual

RANCHI: Chhath is one of the most important festivals observed in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and even West Bengal. The rituals of Chhath puja are most difficult to observe, particularly, the 40-hour fasting that the devotees observe. In fact, the procedures of observing fast during Chhath puja are so tough that the vratis (those who observe fast) are revered by all.
While the simple form of Chhath puja is itself considered very difficult, there are many who observe the puja more rigorously. Most people who follow the rigorous method of observing the puja during Chhath are those whose prayers have been answered at some point of time.
Bhuinpuri is one of the most rigorous types of puja observed by devotees. In this, the devotee prostrates all the way to the ghat. Explaining the procedure of Bhuinpuri puja, Pandit Raghav Pandey, a priest, said: “The person takes a stick which is of the same length as himself and marks the ground and repeats the procedure till he reaches the ghat.”
Seema Devi has been observing this ritual for last three years ever since her wish was fulfilled. “Our family was going through serious financial and health problems three years ago. It was then that I vowed on Chhath that if the problems are solved I will observe Bhuinpuri for the rest of my life. Within a month the problems were solved. Since then I have been observing the Bhuinpuri way of worship,” she said.
Similarly there are people who observe Chhath puja by begging for alms and many of these people belong to good families. One such devotee, Madhuri Devi said, “I have started begging for alms and performing Chhath puja after my problems were solved. However, I do face problems because there are many frauds who present themselves as Chhathvratis and seek alms. Many people often refuse to give me alms thinking that I am also a fraud.”
Madhuri, however, said the rising prices have led to some problems in observing Chhath puja this year. “This year I faced many problems because the price of every puja commodity has gone up and I have not been able to collect sufficient money. I think I will have to cut down on offering the regular 21 soops to 11 soops.”