Every year, millions of devotees celebrate Chhath Puja with deep faith and devotion. Standing in rivers at sunrise and sunset, they offer prayers to the Sun and Chhathi Maiya, seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and family well-being. Yet few people know that this sacred festival may have a surprising link to the era of the Mahabharata. According to local traditions in eastern India, Draupadi, the queen of the Pandavas, once performed Chhath Puja during their exile. If true, this belief adds a fascinating spiritual dimension to the festival—and the place connected to this story is still remembered by devotees today.
