Chhath Mahaparva: Why in Bihar?

During the Vedic period, a demon called ‘Gayasur’ lived in ‘Keekat Pradesh’, a vast area spanning most of central India. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Gayasur was massive in size too. It is said that when he lay on the ground,

his head would fall in northern India and his legs in the Andhra region. Most significantly, his heart would lie in Gaya.

The devtas were very scared of Gayasur as he would often trouble them. They were desperate to get rid of him and so they approached Lord Brahma.

But Brahma said He was helpless because Gayasur was among the greatest devotees of Lord Vishnu and nothing could be done to the demon.

The devtas then went to Lord Vishnu but He, too, was very reluctant to end the life of His most ardent devotee. The devtas suggested to Vishnu

that He could at least allow a ‘yagna’, invoking His name, to be performed on Gayasur’s heart, which lay in the Gaya region.

Lord Vishnu reluctantly agreed and approached Gayasur, who realised that the performance of the yagna – that too in Vishnu’s name – would lead to his

instant death. But he couldn't refuse the request because he was a passionate devotee of Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu, in turn, blessed Gayasur that his name would never ever be forgotten. Vishnu ordained that the place where a yagna was to be performed on Gayasur's heart – that is,