Bengali Festival 'Nil Puja' in Bengali Chaitra Month

[Tandrima2]

Today I want to share about the Bengali festival **Nil Puja.**The other name of this festival is Charak Puja in West Bengal, India.It is a Hindu festival

Charak means wheel.In Bengali word,the people says it Charak(চরক) or Chakra(চক্র).Nil Puja is actually means worshipping a God.Thr name of the God is **Shiva.**It is a bengali hindu folk festival which is celebrated in honour the God **Shiva.**The festival is also known as e Nil Shashthi.

Caption: Picture of God Shiva,in Bengali word this sculpture is called "Shiva Linga(শিব লিঙ্গ)

This festival is celebrated at the last day of bengali month Chaitra (চৈত্র) in bengali word which is called __Chaitra Sankranti(চৈত্র সংক্রান্তি).__This year,the festival is held on 13 April,2023.Next day of Nil Puja,the Charak Puja is held on 14 April,2023.Charak Puja is a part of Nil Puja.Through the Charak Puja,we worship our deity Shiva.Nil Shashthi is held Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month as our bengali calendar.

In the evening, every married Hindu women pray and worship to our Lord Shiva for well being of their children.They seek blessings for the health,wealth and prosperity of their families and they also seek protection from evil forces.

In my locality, the day before of Nil Puja,there are held some rituals and customs.I want to share about this rituals and customs.Before the day of Nil Puja, many young saints collected many thorn trees.Then they roll on the thorn trees.They believe that it is a way of purgation from all evil work and after death they will be liberated from this earthly world.Then their soul will connect with divinity.That’s why they struggle so much.Their body is pierced by that thorn. This is also a part small part of Charak.

The Shiva Linga is also bringing before the day of **Nil Puja.**After rolling on the thorns,they worship the Shiva Linga.

Caption: Photo of all saints who collected the thorns and they are rolling over the thorns

Next day of these rituals,the day of Nil Puja, the idols of Shiva and Parvati are brought. According to Hindu mythology,Goddess Parvati is the wife of lord Shiva.

Caption:Photo of the idols of lord Shiva and Parvati

Then every the women and other religious people worship our deity Shiva and Parvati.

Caption:Photo of worshipping the idols of Shiva and Parvati

Next day of Nil Puja,we celebrated our Charak festival.

[IamJoseFelixAranda]

It is divine @Tandrima2 .People around the world celebrate the forces for good actions and victory fighting evils.And I like your simbols and figures doing that way like any other family,Shiva and his wife…Have a good time.

[Tandrima2]

Thank you @IamJoseFelixAranda for your comment.

[Gurukrishnapriya]

Hello, @Tandrima2 a very beautiful post regarding the Nil Puja. Thank you very much for sharing this post. This is a very informative and interesting post regarding the festival of West Bengal. Is this festival celebrated on the last day of Chaitra month? The pictures you have shared here are amazing. Continue sharing your knowledge.

[Tandrima2]

Thank you @Gurukrishnapriya for your comment and I am very glad that you like my photos.Yes, you are right that the festival is held on the last day of the Bengali month Chaitra.

[Koustav1]

Nice and good review. your post is very helpful for whose people who don’t know about this.

Thanks @Tandrima2

[Tandrima2]

Thank you @Koustav1 for your kind words.