Charak Puja is a very enchanting folk festival for Bengali Hindus. It is also known as "Nil Puja". The believers of the Hindu religion celebrate this on the last day of Chaitra (Chaitra Songkranti).
According to Wikipedia : Charak Puja (also known as Nil Puja) is a Hindu folk festival, held in southern Bangladesh and West Bengal on the last day of the month of Chaitra (in Bengali calendars called Choitro).
A similar festival in Maharashtra is called Bagad, while in Vizianagram, Andhra Pradesh it is called as Sirimanu utsavam.
People believe that the festival will carry prosperity by eliminating the sorrow and sufferings of the previous year. The festival is actually a festival to satisfy "Lord Shiva", the great "Debadideb" of Hindu Religion. Though the festival takes place at midnight in Chaitra Songkranti, the preparation phase usually starts one month of the day.
The arrangement team of the festival go from village to village to procure the necessary components like paddy, oil, sugar, salt, honey, money and other items with the arranged cosmetics such as Shiva, Parvati and Narod. The cosmetic Shiva is locally called "Nil Pagol" or "Jal Katha". At midnight of the Songkranti, the worshippers are gathered together to worship God and after puja, the prasad is distributed.
Illustration of Charak Puja from Twenty-four plates illustrative of Hindoo and European Manners in Bengal (1832) by Sophie Charlotte Belnos (1795-1865)
In one place, it is also known as "Hajrha Puja". The woman doesn't take the meal before Puja on this day. Sometimes in this festival, a human "Charak" is made ready to satisfy Lord Shiva. The "Charak" is tied with a hook (Borshi) on his back and then he is moved around a bar with a long rope. Though it is risky, they arrange it.
[ Charak Puja Puja Schedule 2024 in India, Nil Puja Date & Time, 2024 Neel Puja date and Time in India, নীল পুজা ২০২৪ সময় সূচি, চরক পুজার সময় সূচি ২০২৪, नील पूजा 2024 , चरक पूजा ]
According to Wikipedia : Charak Puja (also known as Nil Puja) is a Hindu folk festival, held in southern Bangladesh and West Bengal on the last day of the month of Chaitra (in Bengali calendars called Choitro).
A similar festival in Maharashtra is called Bagad, while in Vizianagram, Andhra Pradesh it is called as Sirimanu utsavam.
People believe that the festival will carry prosperity by eliminating the sorrow and sufferings of the previous year. The festival is actually a festival to satisfy "Lord Shiva", the great "Debadideb" of Hindu Religion. Though the festival takes place at midnight in Chaitra Songkranti, the preparation phase usually starts one month of the day.
The arrangement team of the festival go from village to village to procure the necessary components like paddy, oil, sugar, salt, honey, money and other items with the arranged cosmetics such as Shiva, Parvati and Narod. The cosmetic Shiva is locally called "Nil Pagol" or "Jal Katha". At midnight of the Songkranti, the worshippers are gathered together to worship God and after puja, the prasad is distributed.
Illustration of Charak Puja from Twenty-four plates illustrative of Hindoo and European Manners in Bengal (1832) by Sophie Charlotte Belnos (1795-1865)
In one place, it is also known as "Hajrha Puja". The woman doesn't take the meal before Puja on this day. Sometimes in this festival, a human "Charak" is made ready to satisfy Lord Shiva. The "Charak" is tied with a hook (Borshi) on his back and then he is moved around a bar with a long rope. Though it is risky, they arrange it.
[ Charak Puja Puja Schedule 2024 in India, Nil Puja Date & Time, 2024 Neel Puja date and Time in India, নীল পুজা ২০২৪ সময় সূচি, চরক পুজার সময় সূচি ২০২৪, नील पूजा 2024 , चरक पूजा ]
2024 Neel Puja (Charak Puja) Date and Time
Name of Festivals | Days | Date of Festivals |
Neel Puja | Friday | 12 April 2024 |
Charak Puja | Saturday | 13 April 2024 |
চরক পুজা | শনিবার | ৩১ চৈত্র ১৪৩০ |
Neel Puja (Charak Puja) Date and Time, 2023
Name of Festivals | Days | Date of Festivals |
Neel Puja | Thursday | 13 April 2023 |
Charak Puja | Friday | 14 April 2023 |
চরক পুজা | শুক্রবার | ৩১ চৈত্র ১৪২৯ |
Neel Puja (Charak Puja) Date and Time, 2022
Name of Festivals | Days | Date of Festivals |
Neel Puja | 13 April 2022 | |
Charak Puja | 14 April 2022 | |
চরক পুজা | ৩১ চৈত্র ১৪২৮ | |
Neel Puja (Charak Puja) Date and Time, 2021
Name of Festivals | Days | Date of Festivals |
Neel Puja | Tuesday | 13 April 2021 |
Charak Puja | Wednesday | 14 April 2021 |
চরক পুজা | বুধবার | ৩১ চৈত্র ১৪২৭ |
Significant of Charak Puja
- Charak Puja is a Hindu festival that is mainly celebrated in the eastern parts of India, particularly in the state of West Bengal. Here are some significant facts about Charak Puja:
- Charak Puja is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated on the last day of the Bengali calendar month of Chaitra (usually falls in mid-April).
- The festival is celebrated as a mark of gratitude towards Lord Shiva for his blessings and protection from diseases and epidemics.
- The festival involves a unique ritual where devotees pierce their skin with sharp objects like hooks and nails and walk around a pole to honor Lord Shiva's asceticism and self-sacrifice.
- The pierced devotees are accompanied by a group of drummers and musicians, and the whole procession is led by a man dressed as Lord Shiva.
- The festival is celebrated in various forms and under different names in different parts of India, such as Gajan in West Bengal and Odisha, and Shivaratri in other parts of India.
- The festival also involves other rituals such as offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to Lord Shiva, performing aarti, and lighting diyas.
- Charak Puja is an important festival for the people of West Bengal, and it is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm.
- The festival is also an occasion for people to come together and celebrate with their friends and family. It promotes a sense of community and brotherhood among the people.
- Charak Puja is an ancient festival that has been celebrated for centuries in Bengal and is a significant part of the region's cultural heritage.
- In recent times, the practice of piercing the skin with sharp objects has been discouraged by many, and the festival is now celebrated with less extreme forms of devotion.
FAQ of Charak Puja
Here are some frequently asked questions about Charak Puja:
Q: What is Charak Puja?
A: Charak Puja is a Hindu festival that is mainly celebrated in the eastern parts of India, particularly in the state of West Bengal. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is celebrated as a mark of gratitude towards him for his blessings and protection from diseases and epidemics.
Q: When is Charak Puja celebrated?
A: Charak Puja is celebrated on the last day of the Bengali calendar month of Chaitra, which usually falls in mid-April.
Q: What is the significance of Charak Puja?
A: Charak Puja is significant as it symbolizes Lord Shiva's asceticism and self-sacrifice. The ritual of piercing the skin with sharp objects is performed to honor Lord Shiva's sacrifice and to seek his blessings.
Q: What is the history of Charak Puja?
A: The origin of Charak Puja is not clear, but it is believed to have been a part of ancient fertility rituals performed by the tribal people of Bengal. Over time, it evolved into a Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Q: What are the rituals associated with Charak Puja?
A: The main ritual associated with Charak Puja is the piercing of the skin with sharp objects by devotees, who walk around a pole to honor Lord Shiva's asceticism. Other rituals include offering flowers, fruits, and sweets to Lord Shiva, performing aarti, and lighting diyas.
Q: Is piercing the skin with sharp objects necessary for Charak Puja?
A: No, piercing the skin with sharp objects is not necessary for Charak Puja. In recent times, the practice has been discouraged by many, and the festival is now celebrated with less extreme forms of devotion.
Q: Where is Charak Puja celebrated?
A: Charak Puja is mainly celebrated in the eastern parts of India, particularly in the state of West Bengal. It is also celebrated in other parts of India, such as Odisha, and in some parts of Bangladesh.
Q: What is the significance of the drummers and musicians in the Charak Puja procession?
A: The drummers and musicians accompany the pierced devotees in the Charak Puja procession to provide a rhythm and beat to their movements. The music is believed to induce a trance-like state in the devotees, helping them to endure the pain of piercing.
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