For millions of Biharis, Chhath Puja is not just a festival. It is a Mahaparv, an emotion deeply rooted in devotion, discipline, and cultural pride. The sight of devotees standing waist-deep in river water, offering arghya to the setting and rising sun, reflects the state’s spiritual heart. Yet this year, in Patna, that same devotion was met with disorder, mud, and mismanagement.
Despite weeks of anticipation, what should have been a seamless, government-facilitated celebration turned into a test of patience and endurance. The authorities imposed barricades and diversions along Marine Drive and adjoining roads, forcing people to take routes twice as long just to reach the ghats such as LCT Ghat and Digha Ghat. On paper, this may have seemed like a step toward crowd control and safety but in reality, it backfired.
The diverted roads, far from being efficient, were swampy, uneven, and filled with mud. Vehicles ranging from small cars and e-rickshaws to two-wheelers got stuck in the muck, leaving citizens to push them through the ankle-deep sludge. Many had to abandon their vehicles altogether, walking long stretches with children and offerings in hand. The lack of coordination between civic bodies and traffic authorities was visible in every clogged turn and stranded vehicle. For an occasion meant to be sacred and serene, it became physically exhausting and distressingly chaotic.
Yet amid all the chaos, the unwavering faith of the devotees stood
Because when faith stands tall, the system should rise with it.
