Chhath Puja Tradition: 5 Sacred Items Women Pass Down Through Generations as Symbols of Faith

New Delhi: Chhath Puja is much more than a festival dedicated to worshipping the rising and setting Sun. Celebrated over four days, from November 13 to November 16, the festival represents devotion, discipline, family traditions and the deep cultural values passed from one generation to another.

Across Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, women follow a special tradition of carrying forward their Chhath Puja vows, known as Sankalp, within their families.

Along with these religious commitments, several traditional items, including soop, daura, brass lotta and sindoor boxes, are also passed down to daughters and daughters-in-law.

These objects hold memories of previous generations and represent the continuation of family customs. For many households, they are more than पूजा essentials; they are treasured belongings connected with years of devotion and religious observance.

Here are five traditional Chhath Puja items that hold special importance as family heirlooms.

1. Soop and Daura: Traditional Bamboo Baskets

The soop and daura are among the most recognisable items used during Chhath Puja. Traditionally made from bamboo or date-palm leaves, these woven baskets are used to carry offerings such as fruits, sugarcane and thekua.

In many families, these baskets are carefully maintained, repaired and reused for several years. When an older woman decides to pass on her Chhath responsibilities, she may hand over her traditional soop to her daughter or daughter-in-law.

This practice represents the transfer of religious responsibilities and the continuation of family traditions.

2. Brass Lota or Kalash: A Symbol of Purity

Brass vessels, particularly the lota and kalash, are important parts of Chhath Puja rituals. They are used to carry water for offering Arghya to Surya Dev.

Many families preserve the same brass vessel for generations, cleaning and polishing it before every festival. Passing it from mother to daughter represents the continuation of devotion and the shared responsibility of performing the traditional rituals.

For some households, these vessels carry decades of family memories.

3. Sindoor Box and Mirror: A Part of Traditional Shringar

The sindoor box, mirror and bangles also have emotional and cultural significance during Chhath Puja.

Women use these traditional accessories as part of Solah Shringar before the evening Arghya. In several households, a separate set of sindoor and other accessories is preserved specifically for the festival.

These personal belongings often become cherished family possessions, reminding younger generations of the women who observed Chhath before them.

4. Traditional Dupatta and Saree Border

Clothing used during Chhath Puja can also become a meaningful family keepsake. Some families preserve a special dupatta or saree worn during Arghya rituals for many years.

Mothers sometimes pass a piece of their saree border or traditional dupatta to their daughters and daughters-in-law.

The fabric may then be incorporated into new puja clothing.

This custom connects generations through clothing that carries memories, blessings and family traditions.

5. Handwritten Chhath Songs and Recipe Notebooks

Handwritten notebooks containing traditional Chhath songs, thekua recipes and festival preparations are another valuable part of family heritage.

These notebooks often contain recipes and religious songs that have been followed for generations.

Their old pages, handwritten instructions and marks from years of use reflect the memories of countless Chhath celebrations.

Passing these notebooks to younger family members helps preserve traditional recipes, Chhath geet and the customs associated with the festival.

Chhath Puja Heirlooms Keep Family Traditions Alive

The tradition of passing down Chhath Puja belongings is an emotional connection between mothers, daughters and daughters-in-law.

Every soop, brass vessel, sindoor box or handwritten notebook carries memories of earlier generations.

Although these objects may appear simple, they represent years of devotion, discipline and family customs. Through them, women continue to preserve the cultural values of Chhath Puja and ensure that traditional practices remain part of family life for generations to come.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for general informational and cultural purposes.

Chhath Puja customs, rituals and family traditions may vary across regions and communities. The practices described here are based on traditional customs followed in some households and may not be observed in the same way by everyone.