Charak Puja
Charak Puja or Pachamara Mela (also known as Chadak, Nil Puja or Hajrha Puja) is a Hindu folk festival held in honor of the deity Shiva. The festival is observed in the Indian state of West Bengal and in Bangladesh on the last day of the month of Chaitra (Choitro in the Bengali calendar) at midnight.
| Charak Puja | |
|---|---|
Charak Puja being performed at village Narna, Howrah, April 2014. | |
| Also called | Nil Puja, Hajrha Puja |
| Observed by | Hindus |
| Type | Hindu |
| Significance | Done in order to supposedly gain prosperity and success from the Hindu Gods, Shiva and Durga. |
| Date | Midnight of Songkran ( 13–14 April ) |
People believe that by satisfying Shiva, the festival will bring prosperity to them, eliminating the sorrow and sufferings of the previous year.
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.
Rarely, it’s also known as "Hajrha Puja". Women fast before this festival and male devotees swing from a pole with hooks being attached to the pole with ropes thrust through their backs.