Outmigration and declining participation threaten a Mithila tradition

Sama Chakeva is a ten-day festival celebrating sibling bond to ward off evil.

Since Kharna, the second day of Chhath on November 6, 85-year-old Kalia Devi Mandal has stepped out each evening with a ‘changeri’—a bamboo basket—balanced on her head. Inside are colourful clay idols of Sama, Chakeva, and Chugla.