Bhorey (Gopalganj)/Patna, Oct. 31: Siraji Khatun, a resident of Hardia village in Gopalganj, has been performing Chhath Puja for the past 12 years.

Sattar Miyan, another resident of the same village, helps the women of the hamlet to offer puja during the festival, the biggest in Bihar.

Nazmul Khatun and Shazmeen Khatun, residents of the state capital, are offering prayers to the Sun God with Hindu women of their locality.

Devotion is not bound by the barriers of religion. Families of the minority community in various corners of the state, including its capital, celebrate Chhath Puja.

“I have been worshipping the Sun God and Chhathi Maiyya for 12 years. Our family is one of the many Muslim families in the village who are strong believers in the divine powers of Chhathi Maiyya. We are aware of the fruits that one can reap by worshipping the goddess. This year, I am praying for a grandson. I know my wish will be fulfilled,” said Siraji Khatoon, a resident of Hardia under Bhorey block in Gopalgang district, around 200km from the state capital.

The women were busy praying on Kharna, the second day of the festival, and prepared traditional kheer-chapatti. The male members do not sit idle. They arranged for fruits, vegetables and all other things required by the women for the festival.

Sattar Miyan believes all religions need to be treated with equal respect. “Even the Holy Quran tells us to respect other religions. This is one of the main reasons why we are whole-heartedly performing all the rituals of Chhath,” Sattar Miyan said, adding that most members of the Muslim families in the village abstain from meat on the four days of the festival.

Raj Kishore Shukla ‘Tuntun’, the mukhiya (village head) of Hardia, looks at the other side of things. “The village population is around 1,200 of which around 700 are Muslims, mostly involved in agricultural work. Many of these families have been observing Chhath for the past several decades,” he said, adding that even the Hindu families take part in Muslim festivals.

The state capital has the same story to tell.

Nazmul Khatun (36) and Shazmeen Khatun (25), residents of Kamla Nagar Colony in Patna, are not only celebrating the festival with other women of their locality but are also spreading the message of oneness.

“My daughter is very strict when it comes to following the tradition of Chhath. She has bought all the necessary items required in the festival, right from mango wood to earthen vessels,” Nazmal said.

“The Sun God has been very kind to me. He blessed me with two sons fulfilling my mannat (wish). Therefore, I am performing the puja to thank the God,” Shazmeen said.

The story is the same with many other families. From girls, some in their teens and 20s to elderly women in their 80s, Chhath Puja has had participation from everyone, breaking the barriers of not only the gap of generations but also religion.