Usna Khatoon sells earthen chulhas near Beer Chand Patel Marg in Patna. Picture by Faryal Rumi

More than 50 Muslim families residing near Garden Road off Beer Chand Patel Marg have proved that Chhath can be a great leveller in uniting different communities.

Members of these families were busy procuring and showcasing clay and mud chulhas for the fest on Sunday. Devotees worship the Sun god by offering milk, wheat, coconut, sugarcane and bananas. After prayers, devotees cook the prasad on clay stoves.

From Dussehra, these families strictly avoid eating garlic and onion, to respect the faith of devotees and to ensure the purity of festival.

Maimoon Khatoon, who makes clay stoves for nearly five decades, said: “We make all the stoves in traditional style with determination and devotion. We ensure that no impurity touches these stoves, which we sell for Rs 120-250 depending on the size.”

Another chulha maker Usna Khatoon (30) said: “I started making chulhas at the age of 10. I feel proud to see the smiles on the faces of devotees, when they praise and appreciate our work. We gave up eating non-vegetarian, onion and garlic before Dussehra starts and bathe before making these chulhas.”

A week before Chhath, the stove makers buy clay at Rs 1,000 per tractor from nearby village areas to make chulhas.

The clay stoves are made at Adalatgunj and transported to the markets in Mithapur, Bailey Road, Serpentine Road and Beer Chand Patel Marg. Imtiyaz (32), along with his wife and children, makes clay and mud stoves during Chhath but sells stainless steel utensils for rest of the year.

Imtiyaz said: “We respect all religions and festivals and observe Chhath just like Id, Bakrid and Muharram. We are glad that devotees don’t mind buying and using chulhas we make.”

On other days of the year, Shaheeda Khatoon sells puja flowers and garlands at the nearby temple. Shaheeda, who makes Chhath stoves for two decades, said: “I have full faith and fidelity towards the god and goddesses and will live my life to serve them. The price of chulhas ranges between Rs 60 and Rs 180.”

The devotees at the market are pleased with the handmade chulhas for Chhath.

Boring Road resident Sarita Devi said: “For five years, I buy mitti ka chulha from these makers. Earlier, I used to make my chulha for the festival. The devotion of the makers can be seen in their work. I am really grateful to them for making clay and mud stoves.”

“It’s tough to make these stoves. I really appreciate their hard work and respect towards the festival. It does not matter to me how much these special chulhas cost as far as it is made to perfection. Handmade chulhas are rare in urban cities like Patna and Hindu mythology says Chhath prasad should be cooked on traditional stoves,” said Garima Yadav, another customer.

Over the past two decades, their huts have been demolished by the government from many places, including Daroga Prasad Rai Path. Mohammad Alauddin, a chulha maker said: “Many of my friends left Patna and settled down in their native villages. If we also leave, then who will make clay stoves for Chhath?”