Ganges To Pacific: SoCal Devotees Gather For Chhath Festival In Newport Beach

India-West Staff Reporter

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – The Bihar Jharkhand Bandhu Association (BJBA) hosted the Chhath Puja Mahaparv on October 27 and 28, transforming the tranquil waters of the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort into a site of spiritual devotion. Devotees from the Southern California community gathered to offer prayers to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya, celebrating this ancient Vedic festival.

The sight of fasting devotees offering prayers together at sunset and sunrise, accompanied by the chanting of sacred mantras, created a serene and divine atmosphere. The festival is known for its eco-conscious rituals, performed using only natural offerings.

“The lovely banana trunks lining the entryway and the divine setup made the whole place feel like a piece of home away from home,” said a devotee observing the fast for the fourth year. Ten devotees undertook the demanding 36-hour fast and rituals with unwavering faith.

The City of Newport Beach formally recognized the BJBA for its outstanding contribution to promoting cultural diversity and community harmony. BJBA President Shweta Sharma and her executive team expressed their gratitude to the attending dignitaries, including Newport Beach Mayor Joe Stapleton, Yorba Linda Mayor Janice Lim, and State Senator Dave Min.

The evening resonated with the sacred melodies while other engaged the audience with cultural presentations.

Dignitaries from India who extended their blessings included Samrat Choudhary, the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and several prominent artists.

The celebration coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address, in which he highlighted efforts to have Chhath Puja recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The event concluded with the distribution of Prasad, including the traditional sweet offering, Thekua.