The Rekindling
With all the jewels collected, Ananya returned to the Sun Boat. The villagers, drawn by the boat’s radiance, gathered in amazement. As Ananya placed each jewel, the boat glowed brighter, and the sun’s warmth seemed to embrace the village.
“The Sun Boat’s return is a reminder of our duties to nature and the blessings of the sun,” Ananya shared, her voice steady and proud.
The next day, the village celebrated Chhath with newfound fervour. They offered prayers and songs to the Sun God at sunrise and sunset, standing in the river, holding bamboo baskets of offerings.
Ananya led the prayers, her heart full. She realised that her adventure was a journey of understanding and embodying the true spirit of Chhath.
As the festival concluded, the Sun Boat whispered a promise to return each year, a guardian of the sun’s legacy and a reminder of Ananya’s courage.
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Each year, as Ananya grew, she shared her tale, keeping the spirit of the festival and its lessons alive in the hearts of every villager, young and old.
Chhath in Lucknow, U.P. (2021) – Some moments
