Chhath Puja in Bihar showcases religious harmony at Gaya fruit market

Devotees in Bihar observed the third day of the festival on Monday, the day of Sandhya Arghya, when sacrifices are offered to the setting sun, demonstrating the fervour of Chhath Puja.

The fruit market near Gandhi Maidan in Gaya city has come alive with the joyous bustle and an unbelievable sight of communal harmony. Vendors from both Hindu and Muslim communities are working side by side, arranging fruits and offerings for devotees to ensure everything remains pure and ready for the rituals.

Mohammad Shahid, a fruit vendor, said, “We've been selling fruits here for many days, and this festival is considered very auspicious. Everyone has deep faith and devotion, which is why we've maintained cleanliness carefully so that people don’t face any difficulty while buying fruits. Here, Hindus and Muslims stand together, maintaining unity without any kind of discrimination.”

Another vendor, Md Faiz Alam, echoed the same sentiment, saying, “People from all religions sell their goods here, and everyone works together with a strong sense of brotherhood and unity.”

Customers visiting the market also shared their appreciation for this spirit of togetherness, noting that it adds a special charm to the festival.

According to a customer named Utkarsh Kumar, “When you visit Gaya, you can see how business is conducted here; religion and trade coexist harmoniously. Most of the traders here are Muslim, and all the Hindu customers buy goods from them. There is no religious divide, no one hesitates to purchase items from anyone. Everything functions together in peace and harmony.”

Ravi Shankar Singh, another customer, added, “Hindus and Muslims are united, and there are no issues at all. In fact, most of the fruit and vegetable vendors here are Muslims, and they sell to us at fair prices, neither too high nor too low. Everyone cooperates and supports one another.”

At riverbanks and ghats throughout the region, devotees will offer their final prayers to the rising Sun and Chhathi Maiya on Tuesday, the last day of the four-day Chhath Puja celebrations. This will mark the end of one of Bihar's most revered festivals.