Faith Meets Tragedy: Chhath Puja Turns into Mourning Across Bihar
Bihar witnessed a heartbreaking turn of events as the joyous celebration of Chhath Mahaparv, one of the most sacred festivals in the region, turned into a scene of grief and mourning. Over 83 devotees lost their lives during the rituals held on Monday and Tuesday, mostly due to drowning while preparing ghats, bathing, or offering arghya (prayers to the setting and rising sun).
In Patna alone, nine people died, while others across districts like Gaya, Aurangabad, Begusarai, Rohtas, and Gopalganj met similar fates. What was meant to be a celebration of light, purity, and devotion became a series of tragic incidents that shook the entire state.
Deadly Accidents at the Holy Ghats
Officials reported that most of the deaths occurred due to slipping or losing balance in deep water. Many devotees had gathered along riverbanks early in the morning to offer prayers, unaware of the lurking danger beneath the calm surface.
In Patna, 15 people reportedly drowned in separate incidents while taking a dip in the Ganga.
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Mokama witnessed three deaths.
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Baadh, Bihta, and Khagaul recorded two deaths each.
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At Maner, two youths went missing and are yet to be found.
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In Aathmalgola, one young man is still untraced.
A few survivors were pulled from the water just in time. In one miraculous rescue, a youth who drowned in Gopalpur’s pond was revived after an hour of continuous CPR, bringing a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.
Districts Mourn Their Loved Ones
Across Vaishali, Gopalganj, Aurangabad, and Bochaha, families are struggling to come to terms with their losses.
In Vaishali’s Raghopur and Mahua, two teenage boys drowned while preparing the ghats. In Mahanar, a woman observing Chhath Vrat drowned during her ritual bath. Similarly, two people in Gopalganj’s Bhore area, one in Bhojpur, one in Begusarai, one in Rohtas, and one in Nawanganj lost their lives in separate drowning incidents.
In Chhapra, a similar tragedy claimed another life. These scattered incidents across the state paint a grim picture of how the festival of devotion was overshadowed by heartbreak.
A Heartbreaking Incident in Mokama: Sister Dies of Shock After Brother Drowns
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching story emerged from Mokama, near Patna.
At the Ganga ghat in Maranchi’s Badpur village, 21-year-old Rocky Paswan drowned during the early morning rituals around 6:30 a.m. As news of his death reached home, his sister Sapanа, unable to bear the shock, collapsed and passed away.
The double tragedy devastated the entire family. Neighbors and villagers gathered to console the grieving parents, but words failed in the face of such unbearable loss. The story of Rocky and Sapna now echoes across Bihar as a reminder of how fragile life can be even amidst faith and devotion.
Authorities on Alert, But Questions Remain
Local authorities and disaster response teams were quick to arrive at several ghats, recovering bodies and launching search operations for missing persons. However, many residents have raised concerns about the lack of safety measures, poor lighting, and absence of barricades at major Chhath sites.
Despite repeated warnings and guidelines, several ghats remain unsafe for public gatherings, especially during high water levels. The government has promised a review of safety arrangements to prevent such tragedies in the future.
A Festival of Devotion Shadowed by Loss
Chhath Puja, celebrated with immense devotion to the Sun God, represents faith, purity, and gratitude. Families fast, sing devotional songs, and pray for the well-being of their loved ones. But this year, as diyas (lamps) floated on the Ganges, they also symbolized the memories of those who never returned from the holy waters.
From Patna to Purnia, grief has replaced celebration. While thousands offered arghya with folded hands and wet eyes, others stood at the riverbanks, mourning in silence.
The 2025 Chhath Puja will be remembered not only as a time of devotion but also as a painful reminder that even in moments of faith, safety must never be overlooked.
