Chhath is one of the most important festivals for Hindus in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh. According to legends, many places in Bihar have significant spiritual associations with the Chhath festival, and Munger is one of them.
The first Chhath Puja is said to have been performed by Goddess Sita in Munger, locals believe.
Goddess Sita is believed to have performed the first Chhath puja on the banks of river Ganges in Munger district according to Ananda Ramayana. This site is now known as Sita Charan Mandir. The footprints of Goddess Sita are still present on a huge stone inside the Ganges River. Famous Pandit Kaushal Kishore Pathak of the city claims that Sita Charan and Munger are mentioned on pages 33 to 36 of Anand Ramayana.
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According to mythology, when Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya after completing his exile, he decided to perform the Rajasuya Yagya for his kingdom. However, before starting the yagna, sage Valmiki told him that it would fail without the presence of sage Mudgal. Lord Rama, accompanied by Goddess Sita, then reached the ashram of Mudgal Rishi, who suggested Goddess Sita to worship Lord Surya and Chhatti Maiya.
According to Anand Ramayana, Lord Rama considered it a sin to kill Ravana because he was a Brahmin. Therefore, Vasishtha Muni, the Kulguru of Ayodhya, sent Rama-Sita to the Mudgal Rishi to get rid of the sin of killing a Brahmin. It is believed that sage Mudgal and Lord Rama performed the Brahmahatya Mukti Yagya, while Goddess Sita stayed in the ashram and observed a fast. During the worship of Sun God, he offered Arghya to the setting sun in the west and the rising sun in the east.
The footprints of the goddess can still be found in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in the west and east directions. It is believed that by performing Chhath in the temple premises, wishes are fulfilled.
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