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The festival of Charak Puja and mela, which is being celebrated today across West Bengal, just a day prior to nobo borsho, which is tomorrow. It is a religious festival that celebrates passing away of the old year. The general belief is that this pujo brings in promises of better times and greater prosperity in the forthcoming new year, by wiping out all pain and suffering of the present year. It is celebrated at the midnight of Chaitra Sankranti, which is the last day of Chaitra mash. Bhagwan Shiva and Maa Parvati are worshipped on this day, and the festival is variously know as Batri Charak, and Hajrha Puja. The preparations for this puja start almost a month earlier, when the devotees start travelling to the villages to collect different things, like paddy, honey, salt, sugar, oil, and monetary donations. The term Charak here refers to a tall tree trunk that lacks any roots or branches. The height of the trunk should be 30 to 40 feet, and it must be straight. First the tree trunk is worshipped by the priests, and then placed upright inside a ditch dug for this purpose, and balanced from sides by bamboos. The Charak tree is believed to be the abode of Ardhanarishwar, the composite form of Bhagwan Shiva and Ma Parvati. Tonight at mid-night devotees will gather to offer their prayers to Mahadeva and Parvati. The rituals of Charak Puja include a human Charak, created to pleasE Mahadeva. The "Charak" is tied with a fish hook or Borshi and then hung at the back, which is then moved round around a bar, with a long rope. Usually 10 to 12 devotees perform this ritual together, with the lead performer known as Deoboinshi. Today many will observe a day long fast until the puja starts at midnight. A large bamboo stage of 10 and 15 feet height will be erected while the floor of it will be strewn with sharp thorns, broken glass, and knives. Once the puja is over, devotees will walk on the stage floor, with the firm belief that Mahadeva will be watching and protecting them.