3-day Charak festival kicks off in Pabna

The three-day-long "Charak" festival kicked off in Bothor village of Pabna's Chatmohar upazila today.

Organised by Bothor Shib Mondir, the festival is an example of communal and cultural harmony.

Every year, several thousand people including devotees from different parts of the country flock here to Pabna to attend the festival.

According to local folklore, Lord Shiva, locally known as Mohadeb, long ago, once prayed underneath a "Charak tree" for the freedom of the oppressed Hindu communities. Since then, locals here are arranging the Charak Puja.

It is celebrated in Bangladesh on the last day of the Bangla month of Chaitra at midnight. Devotees pour milk and sugar on the root of "Charak tree" and lay down wreaths beneath it to please Mohadeb.

People believe that by satisfying Shiva, the festival will bring prosperity to them, eliminating the sorrow and sufferings of the previous year.

Kingkor Shah, secretary of Charak festival celebration committee, said although the festival began this morning, preparations and festivity centring the Charak Puja began a week ahead. It will end the day after Pahela Baishakh.

Bothor village gets a festive look ahead of the festival, he added.

Talking with The Daily Star, Md Jalal Uddin, officer-in-charge of Chatmohar Police Station, said additional security measures have been taken to maintain the law and order situation during the festival. Md Mizanur Rahman, a social worker, said the traditional Charak festival is the biggest festival for the people of Chalan Beel.

"Once a typical Hindu community festival has now turned into a festival for all. People from all walks of life join Charak festival to bring peace and harmony in the region," he added.