| Temples & Legends Of Bengal |
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| Temples & Legends Of India |
EKTESVARA |
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| The last
(Sankranti) day of Chaitra was the day set apart for Charak or swinging, which was
formerly regularly, practised but has now been given up. Early on the morning of the
Sankranti day, a ceremony known as agun sannyas i.e., walking over burning charcoal took
place.6 A long post of strong sal wood, over 30 feet high, was set up in the open plain adjoining the temple. The top had a strong pivot, to which was affixed a large cross beam, about 24 feet long, which revolved round it, about two-thirds being on one side and one third on the other. A long rope was tied firmly to and suspended from the end of the smaller portion of the beam. At the other end was fastened another short rope with a large hook affixed to its lower end. This structure was known as the Charak gachh or swinging tree. Placing four beams upon four posts planted in the ground with slender formed one side of it, a raised rectangular platform, about 20 feet high, crossbeam over them. 6 Fire-walking rituals are common among some of the tribals. The tribals of Ranchi district regularly observe this ritual at villages Tupudana, Bikuadag etc., near Ranchi. The participants are known as Pat-Bhaktas and they even play by picking up and throwing burning cinders. |
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| About Ektesvara | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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