Charak Puja and Gajan
A Bengali Hindu folk festival whose last act is Charak. A short guide.
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What is Gajan
Charak Puja is part of Gajan, the Bengali Hindu folk festival held in honour of Shiva or Dharmathakur. It also goes by other names, including Pachamara Mela, Chadak, Nil Puja and Hajrha Puja. (Source: Wikipedia, Charak Puja)
Sankranti midnight
At midnight of Sankranti, worshippers gather to worship Shiva and Ma Durga for success. (Source: Wikipedia, Charak Puja)
Austerities and Charak
Gajan includes austerities such as walking on hot coals and piercing the body with metal rods. Charak is the practice of hook-swinging, generally the last penance of the festival. (Source: Wikipedia, Charak Puja)
Preparation usually begins a month ahead, collecting paddy, oil, sugar, salt, honey and money from village to village. Prasad is distributed after the puja. (Source: Wikipedia, Charak Puja)
Where it is held
In West Bengal, parts of Assam and Bangladesh. In Bangladesh it is often held in Moulvibazar, Thakurgaon district and Galachipa Upazila of Patuakhali district. (Source: Wikipedia, Charak Puja)
💡 At the fair, keep children close in the crowd and stand at a safe distance from the austerity areas.
Questions
- Whose festival is Charak Puja?
- As part of Gajan, it honours Shiva or Dharmathakur.
- What is the difference between Gajan and Charak?
- Gajan is the whole festival; Charak is its hook-swinging, generally the last penance.
- When is Charak Puja?
- The puja is at Sankranti midnight. Sankranti dates are on our Sankranti 2027 page.
- Where is Charak held in Bangladesh?
- Often in Moulvibazar, Thakurgaon and Galachipa in Patuakhali.
See also
Sankranti 2027Poila Boishakh 2027Poila Boishakh traditionsShivratri 2027