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'''Charak Puja''' or '''Pachamara Mela''' (also known as ''Chadak'', ''Nil Puja'' or ''Hajrha Puja'')<ref>from Syncretism, Narratives. "[https://hpuniv.ac.in/hpuniv/upload/uploadfiles/files/HPUJ-June-2022-issue.pdf Mid-Seventeenth-Century Mughal Bengal: A Study of Social Transformation and Narratives from Syncretism to Conflict]." ''Himachal Pradesh University Journal'': 45.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Oddie |first=Geoffrey A. |title=Popular religion, elites, and reform : hook-swinging and its prohibition in colonial India, 1800-1894 |date=1995 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=81-7304-101-6 |location=New Delhi |oclc=33970904}}</ref> is part of the [[Bengali Hindu]] folk [[festival]] of [[Gajan (festival)|Gajan]], held in honor of the deity [[Shiva]] or [[Dharmathakur]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bhaumik |first1=Sudarshana |title=Locating Dharmamangal in the Rarh Bengal: A Brief Analysis of its Social Significance |journal=Vidyasagar University Journal of History |volume=6 |pages=127–135 |url=http://inet.vidyasagar.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/4502/1/Sudarshana%20Bhaumik.pdf |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref> The Gajan festival includes numerous forms of austerities like [[firewalking|walking on hot coals]] or [[Body piercing|piercing the body with metal rods]];<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nicholas |first1=Ralph W. |last2=Curley |first2=David L. |title=Rites of spring: Gā̄jan in village Bengal |date=2008 |publisher=Chronicle Books |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-8180280351 |pages=4–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/ritesofspringgaj0000nich/mode/2up}}</ref> Charak refers to the practice of [[Suspension (body modification)|hook-swinging]] which generally is the last [[penance]] performed during the festival.
'''Charak Puja''' or '''Pachamara Mela''' (also known as ''Chadak'', ''Nil Puja'' or ''Hajrha Puja'')<ref>from Syncretism, Narratives. "[https://hpuniv.ac.in/hpuniv/upload/uploadfiles/files/HPUJ-June-2022-issue.pdf Mid-Seventeenth-Century Mughal Bengal: A Study of Social Transformation and Narratives from Syncretism to Conflict]." ''Himachal Pradesh University Journal'': 45.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Oddie |first=Geoffrey A. |title=Popular religion, elites, and reform : hook-swinging and its prohibition in colonial India, 1800-1894 |date=1995 |publisher=Manohar Publishers & Distributors |isbn=81-7304-101-6 |location=New Delhi |oclc=33970904}}</ref> is part of the [[Bengali Hindu]] folk [[festival]] of [[Gajan (festival)|Gajan]], held in honor of the deity [[Shiva]] or [[Dharmathakur]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bhaumik |first1=Sudarshana |title=Locating Dharmamangal in the Rarh Bengal: A Brief Analysis of its Social Significance |journal=Vidyasagar University Journal of History |volume=6 |pages=127–135 |url=http://inet.vidyasagar.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/4502/1/Sudarshana%20Bhaumik.pdf |access-date=22 August 2024}}</ref> The Gajan festival includes numerous forms of austerities like [[firewalking|walking on hot coals]] or [[Body piercing|piercing the body with metal rods]];<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nicholas |first1=Ralph W. |last2=Curley |first2=David L. |title=Rites of spring: Gā̄jan in village Bengal |date=2008 |publisher=Chronicle Books |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-8180280351 |pages=4–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/ritesofspringgaj0000nich/mode/2up}}</ref> Charak refers to the practice of [[Suspension (body modification)|hook-swinging]] which generally is the last [[penance]] performed during the festival.


Gajan and Charak Puja is primarily practiced in the Indian state of [[West Bengal]] and in [[Bangladesh]], but hook-swinging is traditionally practiced in other parts of India as well like [[Kavadi Aattam|kavadi]] in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Oddie |first1=Geoffrey A. |title=Popular religion, elites and reforms: hook-swinging and its prohibition in colonial India, 1800 - 1894 |date=1995 |publisher=Manohar |location=New Delhi |isbn=8173041016}}</ref>
Gajan and Charak Puja is primarily practiced in the Indian state of [[West Bengal]] and in a few parts of [[Assam]] among the Bengali Hindu Community and also in [[Bangladesh]], but hook-swinging is traditionally practiced in other parts of India as well like [[Kavadi Aattam|kavadi]] in Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Oddie |first1=Geoffrey A. |title=Popular religion, elites and reforms: hook-swinging and its prohibition in colonial India, 1800 - 1894 |date=1995 |publisher=Manohar |location=New Delhi |isbn=8173041016}}</ref>


The preparation usually starts a month in advance. The people responsible for the arrangement of the festival go from village to village to procure the necessary components like [[Paddy (unmilled rice)|paddy]], [[oil]], [[sugar]], [[salt]], [[honey]], [[money]] and other items needed for the ritual. At [[midnight]] of [[sankranti|Songkranti]], the worshippers gather to worship Shiva and Ma Durga for success. Afterwards a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], the [[Prasad (food offering)|prasad]] (Items blessed by the deity) are distributed.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-iYoAAAAYAAJ |title=Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China and Australasia |date=1839 |publisher=Wm. H. Allen & Company |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.assamtribune.com/opinion/charak-puja-shivas-festival-of-pain-power-penitence-lives-on-in-mayong-1592851|title=Charak Puja: Shiva's festival of pain, power & penitence lives on in Mayong|first=The Assam|last=Tribune|date=September 28, 2025|website=epaper.assamtribune.com}}</ref>
The preparation usually starts a month in advance. The people responsible for the arrangement of the festival go from village to village to procure the necessary components like [[Paddy (unmilled rice)|paddy]], [[oil]], [[sugar]], [[salt]], [[honey]], [[money]] and other items needed for the ritual. At [[midnight]] of [[sankranti|Songkranti]], the worshippers gather to worship Shiva and Ma Durga for success. Afterwards a [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]], the [[Prasad (food offering)|prasad]] (Items blessed by the deity) are distributed.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-iYoAAAAYAAJ |title=Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China and Australasia |date=1839 |publisher=Wm. H. Allen & Company |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://epaper.assamtribune.com/opinion/charak-puja-shivas-festival-of-pain-power-penitence-lives-on-in-mayong-1592851|title=Charak Puja: Shiva's festival of pain, power & penitence lives on in Mayong|first=The Assam|last=Tribune|date=September 28, 2025|website=epaper.assamtribune.com}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 23:00, 15 April 2026


Charak Puja
Illustration of Charak Puja from Twenty-four plates illustrative of Hindoo and European Manners in Bengal (1832) by Sophie Charlotte Belnos (1795–1865)
Also calledNil Puja, Hajrha Puja
Observed byHindus
TypeHindu
Related toGajan[1]

Charak Puja or Pachamara Mela (also known as Chadak, Nil Puja or Hajrha Puja)[2][3] is part of the Bengali Hindu folk festival of Gajan, held in honor of the deity Shiva or Dharmathakur.[4] The Gajan festival includes numerous forms of austerities like walking on hot coals or piercing the body with metal rods;[5] Charak refers to the practice of hook-swinging which generally is the last penance performed during the festival.

Gajan and Charak Puja is primarily practiced in the Indian state of West Bengal and in a few parts of Assam among the Bengali Hindu Community and also in Bangladesh, but hook-swinging is traditionally practiced in other parts of India as well like kavadi in Tamil Nadu.[6]

The preparation usually starts a month in advance. The people responsible for the arrangement of the festival go from village to village to procure the necessary components like paddy, oil, sugar, salt, honey, money and other items needed for the ritual. At midnight of Songkranti, the worshippers gather to worship Shiva and Ma Durga for success. Afterwards a puja, the prasad (Items blessed by the deity) are distributed.[7][8]

Charak Puja in an East India Company era painting, 19th century CE, at the Indian Museum.
Charak festival in Kolkata in 1849

Charak Puja in Bangladesh[edit | edit source]

In Bangladesh, it frequently takes place in Moulvibazar, Thakurgaon district, and Galachipa Upazila of the Patuakhali District. Goalkhali, Gabua, Haridebpur, Lalua, Lohalia, and other villages are well known for "Charak Puja".[9] Though the aristocracy and frequency of the festival is being deemed now, it is still being performed regularly by people with an uncommon amount of devotion. For them it's a part of their life. The Most popular festival "Charak Puja" is found at places like Dholar Haat, Akcha, Gorea, Khochabari(Singia), Hothath para at Thakurgaon Sadar, same places of Tripura Dhalai District like Kamalpur and Kulai.

Bagad and Sirimanu[edit | edit source]

In Maharashtra Bagad (Marathi language: बगाड) in Andhra pradesh Sirimanu festival is a religious festive tradition, where a ceremonial pole from an auspicious tree is venerated. In some villages, jatras in honour of local deities in Maharashtra & Andhra Pradesh are performed. Bagad is a similar concept to Charak Puja, Gajan (festival) or Indian parallel of Mexican Danza de los Voladores.[10]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Charak Puja 2024 Rituals: চড়ক পুজোর পৌরোহিত্য করেন পতিত ব্রাহ্মণেরা, জানুন প্রচলিত লোক সংস্কৃতির অজানা কাহিনি". AajTak Bangla.
  2. ↑ from Syncretism, Narratives. "Mid-Seventeenth-Century Mughal Bengal: A Study of Social Transformation and Narratives from Syncretism to Conflict." Himachal Pradesh University Journal: 45.
  3. ↑ Oddie, Geoffrey A. (1995). Popular religion, elites, and reform : hook-swinging and its prohibition in colonial India, 1800-1894. New Delhi: Manohar Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 81-7304-101-6. OCLC 33970904.
  4. ↑ Bhaumik, Sudarshana. "Locating Dharmamangal in the Rarh Bengal: A Brief Analysis of its Social Significance" (PDF). Vidyasagar University Journal of History. 6: 127–135. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  5. ↑ Nicholas, Ralph W.; Curley, David L. (2008). Rites of spring: Gā̄jan in village Bengal. New Delhi: Chronicle Books. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-8180280351.
  6. ↑ Oddie, Geoffrey A. (1995). Popular religion, elites and reforms: hook-swinging and its prohibition in colonial India, 1800 - 1894. New Delhi: Manohar. ISBN 8173041016.
  7. ↑ Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India, China and Australasia. Wm. H. Allen & Company. 1839.
  8. ↑ Tribune, The Assam (September 28, 2025). "Charak Puja: Shiva's festival of pain, power & penitence lives on in Mayong". epaper.assamtribune.com.
  9. ↑ Dey, Subrata (14 April 2020). "Sacrifice for the hope". tbsnews.net. p. 5. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "The hook-swinging rituals of India". Mid-day. March 1, 2026.

External links[edit | edit source]

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