The economy of the city of Birgunj is showing a positive change as a result of preparations for the Chhath festival. After the end of Tihar, local businessmen are stating an increased flow in sales, with markers being full of necessities for the festival that spans four days. Hence, although this carnival-like activity helps uplift the local economy of the Terai Madhesh region, it also acts as a reminder for people to make Chhath more culturally important there.
Most of the shopkeepers operating businesses in the central bazaar area have reported a high turnout of people seeking Chhath puja materials. Especially fruits, including apples, coconuts, and bananas, vendors lament the high traffic of clientèle due to proximity to producers as a key reason for high demand. These commodities’ prices have experienced a slight rise because of the increase in demand, but the consumers appear unfazed, focused mainly on the quality and the freshness of the products for the Sun God.
Local artisans belonging to the bamboo craft have been toiling to meet orders for soop and Daura, which are used to carry prasad and to perform rituals during Chhath. Apart from its religious use, these handcrafted products present a viable means through which highly skilled craftsmen in the area can earn a living. It is a tradition for many families to order days, weeks, or even months before a puja in order to secure only the best quality materials.
Birgunj’s textile industry is also feeling the festive bonus. Stores selling dress material or ethnic wear especially the yellow colourful saris that the women of Bihar wear during Chhath are doing good business. Tailors especially are toiling day and night sewing bespoke clothes, many of which have literally shut their doors from receiving last-minute orders because they’ve been fully booked.
Street food sellers and sweet shops are readjusting for what promises to be one of the busiest seasons in their calendar. The need for thekua, a sweet item very essential for Chhath Puja, has made people set up temporary shops all over the city. The aforementioned micro enterprises help many families to supplement their income and enhance the joyful feeling prevailing in Birgunj.
Some hotels and guest house said that they have very high occupancy and people even came from other cities and across the border from India to participate in the events. These visitors are welcome as the hospitality industry has been dull for the past few years because of the Covid – 19 pandemic. During this period, restaurant owners are designing special menus to suit not only the fasting devotees, but the usual clientele as will be seen.
The area transportation sector is also getting a positive impact from the festival preparations. It may be recalled that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers have stated increased income because people are in a hurry to shop for essentials and to visit family members. Public transportation operators of the bus services connecting Birgunj with the adjacent towns and villages have therefore improved their frequency to counter the rising traffic.
Local governments have acted to prevent the economic actions that revolve around Chhath from interfering with cleanliness and order in the city. There has been an increase in personnel handling garbage as this has been generated more, especially within the markets. The city has also put down measures whereby anyone found littering the environment, especially ghats, will be charged a fee that goes to help clean the area during the festival.
Business of all the Banks has started picking up as people of Birgunj start withdrawing money for festive occasions. banking cash is being resupplied with the normalcy to ensure the citizens have access to the funds as the security has been provided to protect the ATMs. This is true since some of the banks have taken an initiative of working extra hours to meet the needs of the people during this festive season.
Dailies and television channels of Birgunj have also taken a hike in the ad breaks to encash the festive beliefulness. Local companies are keen on associating themselves with Chhath and therefore during Chhath time, the advertising sector receives a boost. This has also been enhanced by radio stations and local Television stations that are also having a special pull for programs that touch on the cultural and religious aspects of Chhath.
While the Birgunj civic body has not left the economic prospect of Chhath unopened, it is obvious that the people of Birgunj feel more than alive to the possibilities of the festival. Religiously, it is the time of the year devout citizens turn to seek forgiveness and blessings for their families, yet socially and economically, it creates growth and unites people. As Chhath offers one prayer to the God of the sun for the auspicious to set in Birgunj, this city of Terai waits for a time of cultural festival that will ring the streets and homes of this vibrant city.
