The Globalization of Festival Celebrations
The expansion and globalization of online marketplaces have made it easier to celebrate festivals, including Chhath, in foreign countries. Online shopping has not only become an effective way of boosting economies but has also provided foreign devotees a platform to obtain puja materials without any difficulty.
Japanese Celebrations
Binay Kumar, a resident of Hamamatsu, Japan, shares his experience of having to travel long distances in the past to purchase puja materials, including those required for Chhath, from an Indian shop in Tokyo. However, now, with the availability of online shopping, Kumar and others in Japan can order all Chhath items online, including bamboo or metal moram, dry coconut, and more.
Shraddha Sinha, who lived in Japan for five years, also took advantage of online shopping, ordering puja materials for her friends who observe Chhath there, and continues to send puja materials to her Bihar friends in Japan from India.
United States Celebrations
In the United States, Chhath is now celebrated as a community puja in various temples, a departure from the past when it was observed individually in homes. Anuradha Maurya explains that people from Bihar and eastern UP living in the US established a community, which now observes the festival in temples and uses temple facilities for puja and making ‘prasad’.
Varsha Verma shares that puja items are mainly purchased from Indian stores in the US, while some items like ‘chandan’, ‘roli’, dhoti, and cotton sarees are ordered online from India. ‘Prasad’ is made by volunteers at temple kitchens and at their homes.
United Kingdom Celebrations
In the UK, Shwetank Mishra and his friends in Birmingham have organized a small community of Bihar people who celebrate festivals together. They purchase small puja items like ‘roli’, ‘chandan’, ‘mauli dhaga’, ‘mishri’, ‘mukundana’ online from Indian markets in bulk and place them in temples in their locality.
FAQ
How has the globalization of online marketplaces impacted festival celebrations in foreign countries?
The globalization of online marketplaces has made it significantly easier for people living in foreign countries to celebrate festivals from their home countries.
What are some examples of Chhath celebrations in overseas countries?
In Japan, the US, and the UK, Chhath celebrations are now facilitated by the availability of online shopping for puja materials.
Conclusion
The globalization of online marketplaces has made it significantly easier for people living in foreign countries to celebrate festivals, such as Chhath, from their home countries. Whether in Japan, the US, or the UK, the availability of online shopping has enabled residents to order puja materials and celebrate their traditions with ease, ushering in a new era of cultural celebrations in a globalized world.
