Patna: Continuing with her family’s tradition, Saneeja Khatoon (40) has started selling earthen chulhas (stoves) for Chhath on Beer Chand Patel Path here alongside other members of her community. The Kamla Nehru Nagar resident has been making these earthen stoves, used for preparing Chhath prasad such as scrumptious ‘thekua’ and ‘kheer’, for two decades, after learning the craft from her in-laws, who also taught her the importance of maintaining purity and sanctity while making these chulhas.
Like Saneeja, Khushboo Khatoon too learned the art from her mother-in-law eight years ago. Initially, she doubted her ability, but with time and practice, she mastered the skill, and now prepares five stoves in a day.
Khushboo's husband Mohd Mumtaz, who helps her sell the stoves, has always felt a strong attachment to this tradition, having grown up seeing his family members make them every year before Mahaparv Chhath. He believes that it is about devotion and respect for one another.
Across Mumtaz’s stall, Krishna Prasad, a tea seller, appreciates their practice of abstaining from non-vegetarian food during this period, seeing it as a gesture of respect and harmony.
The tradition of making of these earthen stoves for Chhath has been passed down to these Muslim women through generations. Mothers-in-law teach their daughters-in-law the process, ensuring that the legacy continues. The women and their families involved in making these chulhas take great care to maintain the sanctity of the process, taking showers before starting the work and strictly avoiding non-vegetarian food during this period.
The legacy of making these chulhas is not only a source of livelihood for the Muslim women and their families but also a testament to the rich cultural heritage and the spirit of togetherness that Chhath embodies.