Digital Storytelling of Chhath Puja and the Mediatization of Indigenous Ecocultural narratives

These days, digital storytelling has become an important way to document and share cultural traditions. This is especially true for religious festivals and indigenous practices, which are increasingly being presented on different media platforms. Chhath Puja, an ancient festival centered on nature and devoted to the Sun God Surya and Chhathi Maiya, is deeply rooted in environmental awareness, strict rituals, and strong community involvement. It is widely observed in regions like Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh, as well as among migrant communities. This study explores how digital storytelling is shaping the way Chhath Puja’s eco-cultural traditions are represented and understood. It focuses on how media and online platforms influence the way rituals, stories, and ecological values connected to the festival are shared and experienced. In particular, it looks at how practices that once took place mainly in physical settings such as riverbanks and ghats are now being adapted into digital spaces like social media, video archives, and other online platforms. The research uses qualitative methods, including ethnographic observation, interviews with devotees, analysis of existing literature, and a review of digital content related to Chhath Puja. The findings suggest that digital storytelling helps increase participation, visibility, and accessibility, allowing the festival to reach people beyond its traditional geographic boundaries. It also enables communities to preserve rituals, songs, symbols, and ecological messages in digital form. At the same time, media representation plays a role in strengthening collective memory and cultural identity, even as it reshapes how religious ideas are communicated. However, the study also points out certain challenges. The process of mediatization can sometimes oversimplify complex traditions and raise concerns about authenticity and the depth of ritual practices. Overall, the research highlights that digital storytelling is playing a key role in both preserving and transforming the eco-cultural narratives of Chhath Puja. It creates a bridge between traditional practices and modern forms of communication, helping keep this cultural heritage alive in a rapidly changing digital world.