# Traditional Chhath Folk Songs Echo Inside Ranchi Birsa Munda Jail As 18 Inmates Observe Fast

> Eighteen inmates inside Ranchi's Hotwar jail are observing the four-day Chhath festival, with elaborate arrangements made by authorities including a cleaned pond, new clothes, and ritual items.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Jharkhand · **Published:** 2026-11-13 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/jharkhand/ranchi-ki-birasa-munda-jela-men-gunja-rahe-parnparika-chhatha-gita-18-kaidi-rakha-rahe-kathina-vrata-59223 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Chhath Puja, Birsa Munda Jail, Ranchi, Jharkhand, inmates, Hotwar Jail, Sun worship

With the commencement of the grand Chhath festival, a deeply devotional atmosphere has enveloped the Birsa Munda Central Jail located in Hotwar, Ranchi. Despite being confined behind high prison walls, the faith of the inmates remains unwavering, and traditional folk songs dedicated to the festival can now be heard echoing through the corridors. A total of 18 inmates have immersed themselves in the rigorous four-day rituals, comprising 9 female and 9 male prisoners. Interestingly, this group includes both convicted individuals and undertrials. The prison administration has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure that the rigorous festival is observed meticulously without any shortcomings.

## Equal Participation of Male and Female Inmates
A total of 18 prisoners have taken a solemn vow to observe the Chhath fast inside the facility, split evenly with 9 women and 9 men participating. All of them are worshipping the Sun God with strict adherence to traditional rituals and scriptures. The observance formally commenced on Friday with Nahay-Khay, where participants consume traditional pumpkin and rice meals. Saturday marks Kharna, during which the fasters prepare a sacred prasad of jaggery kheer and roti. Following this, a demanding 36-hour waterless fast begins, requiring complete abstinence from food and liquids.

## Pond Preparation for Arghya Offerings Inside Prison
Special preparations have been undertaken within the prison premises for the holy worship. The area surrounding the pond inside the campus is being thoroughly cleaned, and proper arrangements are being finalized for offering the sacred water-borne prayers. On Sunday, November 15, the fasting inmates will offer their first set of prayers to the setting sun. This will be followed on Monday morning, November 16, by offerings made to the rising sun. The prison administration is also ensuring adequate lighting and decorative arrangements around the makeshift ghat and adjacent spaces.

## Provision of Ritual Baskets, Fruits, and New Attire
The prison authorities have arranged to supply all necessary ritualistic items to facilitate the fasting inmates. Prisoners are being provided with traditional bamboo winnowing baskets known as soop and daura, new clothing, fresh fruits, and ingredients required to prepare traditional delicacies like the thekua. A notable aspect of this year's celebration is the active cooperation from other inmates who are not fasting. From cleanliness drives to assisting in the preparation of prasad, fellow prisoners are lending a helping hand. The prasad prepared during Kharna will also be shared among other inmates within the institution.

## A Continuing Tradition Within Prison Walls
Observing Chhath within the Hotwar correctional facility is not an unprecedented event, as the festival has been regularly celebrated here in previous years as well. The prison administration maintains the viewpoint that individuals, regardless of their legal standing, deserve the opportunity to practice their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. It is with this objective that all required amenities are facilitated for the participants. Inside the security perimeter, the same level of sanctity and traditional fervor is maintained as one would witness in homes and public riverbanks across the outside world.

## What this means for you
This story highlights an institutional and cultural observance within a correctional facility, meaning it does not carry direct financial, tax, or regulatory consequences for the general public.

- **In Jharkhand:** The event underscores the administration's approach toward upholding religious freedoms and humane conditions inside correctional facilities. Locally, it serves as a testament to cultural inclusivity and rehabilitation efforts within the state's judicial and prison framework.

## Why this happened
The facilitation of such religious observances inside the correctional facility stems from an administrative commitment toward the mental well-being and rehabilitation of inmates. Upholding the cultural and spiritual needs of prisoners has been a consistent policy maintained by the institution for years.

- **Right to Religious Freedom:** Under correctional guidelines and legal frameworks, inmates retain the fundamental right to practice their religious traditions and personal faiths.
- **Mental Well-being:** Participating in rigorous spiritual fasts and community observances helps inmates channel their energy positively and reduces psychological stress during confinement.
- **Administrative Support:** Prison authorities proactively provide essential ritual items, fresh garments, and dietary provisions every year to enable meaningful participation.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How many inmates are observing the Chhath fast in Birsa Munda Central Jail?
A total of 18 inmates are observing the Chhath fast inside the Hotwar jail.

### 2. What is the breakdown of male and female prisoners participating in the fast?
The participating group consists of 9 female and 9 male inmates.

### 3. On which day did the Chhath rituals commence inside the prison?
The observances began on Friday with the traditional Nahay-Khay ritual.

### 4. Where will the prisoners offer prayers to the Sun God?
The inmates will offer their Arghya at a specially prepared pond and ghat located within the prison premises.

### 5. Who is providing the ritualistic items for the fasting prisoners?
The prison administration is supplying all necessary items, including ritual baskets, fresh fruits, and new clothing.

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