Every year, as Chhath Puja comes around, lakhs of Biharis living away from home make the journey back, often on packed trains and long road trips, just to stand at the ghats with their families. This year, actor Gurmeet Choudhary was one of them.
Gurmeet went back to Bihar to celebrate Chhath Puja and shared moments from the festival on his official Instagram account on Sunday. The photos show the actor with his loved ones, taking part in the rituals of one of the most important festivals in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Sharing the pictures, Gurmeet wrote, "Back to my roots, back to my Bihar! There's something truly special about coming home to celebrate the divine festival of Chhath Puja. Offering Arghya to Chhathi Maiya and Surya Dev, seeking their blessings, and being surrounded by family, friends and relatives made this visit even more beautiful."
He added a note of pride in where he comes from: "No matter where life takes me, my heart will always belong to Bihar. The traditions, the emotions, the love and the blessings of our people are priceless. Proud to be a Bihari, today and always! जय छठी मैया!"
More Than a Festival Post
For many people from Bihar, Chhath is less a festival and more an emotion. It is one of the strictest observances in the Hindu calendar: devotees fast and offer prayers to the setting and rising sun, often standing waist-deep in rivers and ponds. It is also known for its simplicity. There are no idols, no priests are needed, and the focus is on family, cleanliness and gratitude to nature.
That is why Gurmeet's post connected with so many people. Celebrities usually mark festivals with glamorous photoshoots in Mumbai, but going back to one's hometown for Chhath carries a deeper meaning. It reflects the experience of millions of migrants from Bihar who live and work in other cities but return home for this festival every year.
Gurmeet has always been open about his Bihari identity, and his social media regularly reflects it. He rose to fame playing Lord Ram in Ramayan and later became a household name with Punar Vivaah. Through his career he has remained one of the most recognisable faces from Bihar in the entertainment industry, and he keeps his connection to the state visible to his fans.
A Week of Family Moments
The Chhath trip comes just days after a personal milestone for the family. On November 11, Gurmeet and his wife, Debinna Bonnerjee, posted birthday wishes for their daughter Divisha. Gurmeet wrote, "Happy birthday my love," and shared some rare pictures of the little one.
Debinna's note described how the family chose to celebrate. "Happy birthday, my little Divisha. It amazes me how you're growing up… you and your sister chose travel over a birthday party this year. Travel has always been our breather, our oxygen… and now you girls feel it too," she wrote. "Watching you become each other's little travel buddies, with all of us making memories together… my heart is full."
From a travel-filled birthday to a trip home for Chhath, the couple's recent posts show a family that values roots, rituals and time spent together. Gurmeet's message to fans this festive season was simple: success may take you far, but home always calls you back.
This story is based on posts shared on Gurmeet Choudhary's and Debinna Bonnerjee's official Instagram accounts.
