Agartala, April 14: Charak festival, an ancient and deeply spiritual tradition, was celebrated with devotion and intense rituals in the suburbs and rural areas of Tripura, particularly in Pratapgarh, on Monday, coinciding with the Bengali New Year.
The festival, dedicated to Hindu deities Shiva and Sakti, is marked by acts of strict penance and self-inflicted physical endurance as a form of worship.
Devotees, known as Charkia and led by the main performer or Deoboinshi, engage in daring feats such as walking over fire, lying on beds of nails, piercing their bodies with iron rods, and swinging from high poles using hooks embedded in their backs — all symbolic sacrifices offered to Lord Shiva.
Considered one of the most physically demanding religious festivals, Charak Puja is believed to have originated from the time of Lord Rama and is associated with the Charak Samhita, an ancient Sanskrit text on Ayurveda.
Traditionally, devotees observe a month-long fasting period leading up to the day of Charak, surviving only on fruits and engaging in daily prayers.
On the day of the festival, a tall Charak tree, often around 15 feet high, is erected as the central element of the ritual. The highlight of the celebration is when devotees, suspended from the pole, spin around in circular motion, symbolizing the movement of the Sun and the eternal cycle of life — a nod to the term Charak, derived from chakra or ‘wheel’.
Local beliefs hold that Charak Puja is performed for the welfare of humanity and to seek blessings for rain and fertility during the hot, dry month of Chaitra. Many devotees also believe that enduring pain during the festival is a path to salvation.
While some of the more extreme practices have been restricted by authorities in recent years due to safety concerns, the festival continues to thrive in remote areas of Tripura, drawing large crowds and preserving a vital part of Bengal’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Local fairs and community gatherings further add to the festive spirit.
Visiting MP of West Tripura Rajib Bhattacharjee expressed that the government is committed toward enhancing traditional festivals as there is concern that the fast-paced modern lifestyle is slowly eroding interest in traditional festivals like Charak, urging renewed efforts to preserve and pass down this ancient celebration to future generations.
