In pictures: Devotees in rural West Bengal celebrate Charak

Charak is a Hindu folk festival celebrated in the honour of Lord Shiva. It is popular in the rural areas of West Bengal, and parts of Bangladesh. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

The festival is a part of the Gajan festival and is celebrated on the last day of the Hindu month of Chaitra. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

As per legend, it is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva will wash away the sorrows and sufferings of the year bygone and will bring prosperity in the new year. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

People get dressed as gods, goddesses, demons and other mythological characters and take part in a parade, carrying traditional arms, in the streets of Murshidabad district's Cossimbazar. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

The procession starts in the wee hours from Khagraghat crematorium and ends at local temples and fairs, covering a stretch of about 9 kilometers. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Young boys and men spend an entire month begging for alms. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Thereafter, the entire amount collected culminates into a parade and finally a local fair of Charak. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

People seen celebrating Hazira, a ritual associated with Charak to collect money for Charak fair at a village in West Bengal's South Dinajpur district. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Charak rituals involve worshipping the charak or gajari tree and devotees piercing themselves with sharp objects like hooks or long needles as an act of penance. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

During the colonial rule, the acts were seen as a way for peasants to gain the respect and favour of the landlords. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)