Charak Puja
Bhawal forest, a forest situated nearly 40 kilometers away from the city
of Dhaka. It is situated along the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway in
Gazipur. This is the home of the Koch tribe made up of endemic people.
It occupies a total area of 20 sq.km. They also call themselves the
warriors of the sun. Koch is generation of the Dravidian and Mongoloid.
According to the Hindu law in 1954, the Rajbongshi’s converted
themselves into Koch by the influence of Hindu religion. They claim
that they are the descendants of the kings. A festival known as ‘Charak
Puja’ is held every year. The rituals of the festival are performed in
two days. It is celebrated on the last day of the Chaitra month. Young
adult males are hooked from the skin and hung from a huge revolving
structure made of bamboo. A Maktab performs all the rituals
instructing the boys and recites different spells. Among all priests on
two or three are chosen as a belief it will bring good luck. They are
surrounded by a small gathering of people. Few men nearby starts
playing the drum and the Maktab recites along with the beat of the
drums. This prayer takes place from dawn till dusk. The boy is hung to
the air by hooks in their back and then revolved by ropes tied on the
other end and then pulled by other people. 14th April of 2007 is a day
for celebration and get together. But it is not allowed in Bahadurpur
school. The ground is cut into a huge hole. Big bamboos are inserted
into the hole by a lot of people creating the structure. Bananas and
Shankhas are kept in front of it. The Maktab places the skull on a red
cloth and the Shankha is played. People come forward with a black
goat. They tie its neck and circle it around a piece of wood. The goat is
slaughtered and its blood is offered in the puja. Before they start
revolving the boy is marked with vermillion on...