PABNA, April 15 (V7N) — The famous three‑day Charak Puja Fair has begun on the banks of the Baral River in Chatmohar Upazila, drawing thousands of devotees and visitors from across Bangladesh and abroad.

On Monday afternoon, the Charak tree was lifted from a pond in Bonthar village and installed under a banyan tree at the Charakbari premises. Devotees offered milk, oil, honey, and flowers to the tree, marking the start of rituals that will continue until Wednesday.

The Charak Puja, rooted in Bengal’s folk heritage and linked to the Indus Valley Civilization, is celebrated on the eve of Chaitra Sankranti. Rituals include incense offerings, flower‑cutting ceremonies, Kali dances, and symbolic planting of the Charak tree. Worshippers believe the tree embodies divine energy, with marks from razors and fishing rods seen as sacred signs.

Pilgrims from home and abroad flock to Bonthar, with students praying for good results, young women for marriage prospects, and families for health and children. Fishermen traditionally lead the puja, sprinkling batasa for auspiciousness.

The fair once featured Nagardol rides, puppet dances, magic shows, Jatra Pala, circuses, and song festivals, reflecting harmony among Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities. While such spectacles have declined, the fair still attracts large crowds, preserving its spiritual essence.

The Bonthar Temple and Fair Committee has made extensive arrangements. General Secretary Kingkar Saha said: “The traditional Charak Puja has been going on for thousands of years. A festive atmosphere prevails across Chatmohar.”

Chatmohar Police Station OC Golam Mostafa confirmed additional police deployment: “All kinds of security measures have been taken to ensure this traditional Charak Puja and fair are peaceful.”

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