City’s Maithil community celebrates `Chaurchan’ festival with traditional elan

Indore (Team Newsbuddy): The Maithil community of Bihar origin residing in Indore celebrated the traditional Chaurchan (Chauth Chand) festival with great devotion and enthusiasm. Women observed a day-long fast and, after sunset, decorated courtyards and rooftops with Aripan (rice-powder designs) before offering prayers to Lord Ganesha and the Moon God. Traditional delicacies, such as kheer, puri, pirukia (also known as gujiya), khaja-laddu, and seasonal fruits, were offered as prasad. Families then performed the ritual of moon sighting while holding fruits in their hands.

Senior community member K.K. Jha informed that families across Tulsi Nagar, Scheme No. 78, Sangam Nagar, Banganga, Vijay Nagar, Silicon City, Rau, Pithampur, and Mhow observed the festival with complete faith and rituals. Lal Devi of Sangam Nagar, who has been observing this fast for 20 years, said the worship removes misfortunes from life. Sharda Jha of Tulsi Nagar added that just as Chhath Puja is dedicated to the Sun God, Chaurchan is significant for worshipping the Moon, believed to bring prosperity and peace of mind. She said that special curd set in Athra (earthen pots) and traditional folk songs made the festival vibrant, reviving the essence of Mithila’s culture in Indore.