Your archive
From the archive record
Viewer discretion advised due to possible graphic nature of the content. Indians celebrate Charak festival in West Bengal. The sharp metal is pierced into the backs of performing saints in a bloodless process that has been developed with years of practice. Charak or Charak Puja is a part of the Gajan folk festival celebrated every year in West Bengal, Bangladesh and parts of Northeast India, and is basically the equivalent of a New Year Eve party in accordance with the Bengali calender. Except, instead of being subjected to the tortuous intake of tequila shots, this ritual actually has devotees subjecting themselves to pain as a sacrifice to Lord Shiva. This footage is part of the broadcast stock footage archive of Wilderness Films India Ltd., the largest collection of HD imagery from Sout
License this footage
Broadcast-quality masters are available from Wilderness Films India.
Keep exploring
ceremony · music
Devotees participate in a traditional Hindu religious ceremony featuring devotional singing, kirtan, and ritual worship inside a temple hall or community prayer space in India.
hills · festival
During the Jeetu Bagdwal festival in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, villagers gather for a vibrant traditional ritual filled with folk songs, dancing, drumming and ceremonial performances.
Jharkhand·ceremony
Thousands of women devotees gather at Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, Jharkhand, during the Maha Shivaratri celebrations.
crafts · ceremony
An outdoor handicraft stall at a Nature Festival featuring a wide collection of traditional Indian brass sculptures and ritual objects.
festival · hills
During the Jeetu Bagdwal festival in the Garhwal Himalaya of Uttarakhand, participants gather for a traditional folk ritual accompanied by singing, dancing, and the rhythmic beats of the dhol and other percussion instruments.
temple · ceremony
An award presentation takes place during a Krishna Janmashtami celebration at Yogmaya Temple in Mehrauli, Delhi.
music · ceremony
Devotees gather at Jagannath Mandir, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami with traditional kirtan, bhajans, and devotional worship.
ceremony · music
Devotees gather at Jagannath Mandir, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami with traditional aarti, kirtan, and devotional prayers.