Photo story: The Charak Mela in Kolkata
The Charak Mela traces its roots back to ancient Bengal, where it originated as a festival dedicated to the worship of the Hindu deity Shiva. Historically, it symbolized sacrifice and devotion, with participants engaging in acts of self-mortification as expressions of their faith. The philosophy behind self-mortification in the context of Charak Mela revolves around the belief in the purification of the body and soul through enduring pain and suffering, ultimately leading to spiritual enlightenment and liberation.
Monochromatic photography by Siddhartha Paul