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Harvest season starts in Bangladesh

Farmers working in the fields often have to rely on the time tested traditional paddy cultivation system passed down from generations. Keraniganj, Dhaka, Bangladesh. May 8 2008

Photo- Kakoli Prodhan

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  Charak— a puja celebrated in the Samkranti tithi in the month of Chaitra (last day of the Bengali month Chaitra) — is one of the most popular festivals among the agricultural communities of Bangladesh and West Bengal. Charak is the worship of Lord Shiva and Sakti. The Simul gachh (tree) is considered as the phallus (linga) of Shiva while the Kerki (the wheel) is believed to be the genitals (yuni) of Shakti. The whirling of Kerki on the Simul gachh is the scene of copulation of Shiva and Shakti – a symbolic aspect of Charak puja. Basically Charak is dedicated to penance and is worshipped for offsprings, wealth and sometimes for cure of disease. Part of the ritual that is essential to this religious festivity is the necessity of enduring physical pain. A wheel is fixed atop the Charak tree -the ascetic devotee(s) is hung from this wheel with a hook attached to his back. The wheel is then made to spin around at high speed. Small nails, at times red hot ones, are pierced into all parts of the devotees body including his tongue. Miraculously the devotees feel no pain or endure any injury. The spinning devotee hands out prasad (handmade sweetmeats blessed with chants) among the curious spectators and onlookers. Besides Hindus, people from other religious beliefs also gather at the puja. Though the festival takes place on the mid night of Chaitra Samkranti, the preparation phase usually starts from one month ago. The devotees also fast on the day before the puja. The British government had outlawed this practice in 1865 but it is still very much prevalent in the rural areas. A fair is associated with the puja where people from different castes and communities come to celebrate this event of social coherence and co-operation. The festival not only reflects the blind faith of the devotees but also the eagerness to accept penance on the road to achieve salvation.
Charak Puja 		 
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World Water day  
  Life finds itself amidst the foam created by the gushing sewerage. The sewerage eventually meets the Buri Ganga River posing serious threats to aquatic life and poor people who do not have access to pure drinking water. Dhaka, Bangladesh. March 21 2008
Photo Essay -
Water is life 		 
Pic of the Week 
 
Millions of children in Bangladesh are forced to work under hazardous conditions, like these children who work in a balloon factory in the old part of the capital city Dhaka. Often abused by elders, they work from dawn to dusk and do not get an opportunity to go to school. Without an education they are often unable to break free from the poverty they were born into Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh. April 18 2008
© Munir uz Zaman

 
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