Gajan / Charak Puja (Chaitra Sankranti)

14 April 2026

Significance

The last day of the Chaitra month and the end of the Bengali calendar year. It is a fierce festival dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali. Rooted in the agricultural community, it represents enduring extreme penance to wipe away the sins and sorrows of the past year before the New Year begins.

Rituals & Customs

Devotees (called Sannyasis or Bhaktas) lead an ascetic life for a month. On Sankranti day they perform extreme acts of penance such as walking on thorns or hot coals, body piercing (Baan Phora), and swinging from a high wooden pole (Charak tree), all to appease Lord Shiva.

Fasting Rules

The participating Sannyasis eat only one highly restricted Sattvic meal (Habishyanna) a day for the entire month. On the final Charak day, they observe a complete waterless fast.

Auspicious Timing

Afternoon to evening on the day of Chaitra Sankranti.

Consult an Astrologer