Celebrating Our First Chhath Puja in Adelaide: A Community Journey

When members of the Terai community in Adelaide first came together to celebrate Chhath Puja, it was more than a festival — it was a declaration that our traditions would thrive, no matter how far from home we are. The journey to organise this sacred event brought together families from across the city, united by shared heritage.

The Preparation

Weeks before the festival, volunteers scouted locations along Adelaide's waterfront that would allow the community to perform the traditional rituals safely. The preparation of thekua, the iconic Chhath prasad, became a community affair with families sharing recipes passed down through generations.

Committee members coordinated with local authorities to ensure access to the waterfront during the early morning hours. Every detail — from the arrangement of soop (bamboo trays) to the lighting of diyas — was carefully planned to honour the tradition authentically.

A Day to Remember

The celebration began before dawn, with families gathering at the waterfront dressed in traditional attire. The sound of Chhath geet filled the air as devotees performed the evening and morning arghya with deep reverence and joy.

Children watched with wide eyes, learning the rituals that their grandparents had practised on the banks of rivers in Mithila, Bhojpur, and across the Terai plains. For many young members, it was their first experience of Chhath Puja, and the community ensured it was one they would never forget.

• Traditional Chhath rituals at Adelaide waterfront
• Community-prepared thekua and prasad
• Devotional Chhath geet performances
• Intergenerational cultural exchange

The success of this first celebration has set the foundation for an annual tradition. Each year, more families join, and the festival grows stronger as a symbol of our community's resilience and devotion to cultural preservation.

Terai Samaj continues to organise Chhath Puja and other cultural festivals, ensuring that the Terai community in Australia maintains a strong connection to its heritage while building new memories in a new homeland.