based ancient rural society of the Hajongs which developedwith the evolution of time. This festival is also very much in conformity with the nature and it manifests their natural life-style. Charkhela festival is celebrated for one week. The period in terms of Indian months i.e. Baisakha, Jetha, Ahara,Shrawana and Bhadra are the period for growing paddy cultivation for the Hajongs. During these months the people work very hard in the field cultivating paddy crop. Each and
every member of the family remains busy in the cultivation and they cultivate their land with all their hands and tools as it is the main means of livelihood for the tribe. The planting or growing of paddy crops is completed in the month of Bhadra. In the later one or two months, the paddy plantation begins to grow with greeneries all across the field. The nature also changes its colour. Gradually, the hot, rainy summer season gives way to autumn season with clear, sunny sky and with decreasing yet more pleasant temperature level. After the cultivation is completed, people are with less
work and remain in a leisurely mood. Mood of the people gradually turns into festive mood with Charkhela festival fast approaching. On the day of Kartik Sankranti (the last day of the month of
Ashina), the Hajongs devotedly illuminate lamps at paddy field expecting a good harvest. They call it Kati Gasa. Thepaddy crops also gradually grow into maturity with green leaves promising a good harvest. The green paddy field emanates a ray of hope on minds of the Hajong youths. A festive mood prevails among them. During this period, the Hajong youths celebrate Charkhela festival. This festival starts two/ three days prior to the Deepawali festival or Shri Shri Shyama Puja or Kaali Puja. It continues for a week. The Hajongs names the Deepawali as Deuli . On the occasion of
Deuli, the Hajongs illuminate light in every household. They celebrate Charkhela or Charmaga with Dhaak, Dhol, Flute etc. musical instruments. In Charkhela festival, the Hajong boys perform different songs like-Lewatana song & dance,Tengla song, Jakha mara, Bhanga Nauka, Ruwa Laga etc. Among these Lewatana Song & dance is the most attractive and important part of the festival.The Hajong society is conservative and cohesive. The society does not permit the Hajong boys and girls to mix up freely. Open and free relationship between a boy and a girl is prohibited. The Charkhela festival gives the Hajong boys and girls an opportunity to interact with each other. The Hajong boys silently and secretly select there would be life partner
during this festival. The Charkhela festival is a cultural festival. Songs, dance,part play and dance drama with traditional musical instruments are the main features of this festival. These songs, dance or dance drama, part plays are mainly extracted from religious books. The character of mythology or stories gets priority in the dance drama. For example, Devi Puja, or
Mahisasur Bodh, Exile of Lord Rama, kidnapping of Sita, Kurukhetra War, killing of Abhimanyu, etc. In course of changed time, the stories of King & Queen are also acted. However, in the Charkhela festival 10-15 youths make a group and with traditional dresses they use to visit door to door every household. They perform song, dance, part play and the host family respectfully offers them with rice, money etc in return. Thus, they collect rice, money etc. from every household. Two boys who play the main role in the Charkhela festival are called Gaan-Sugra. In fact, there are two methods of collection-(1) Dhauwa Maga & (2)Charmaga. If the boys come back home after the collection at the end of the day then it is called Dhauwa Maga . On the other hand, if the boys collect rice, money etc. for one week,
leaving their village, from other villages then that is called Charmaga. If a group of Charmaga want to stay in any house for the night then they send information to that family. The person through whom they send information to the host family is called Bhatkhabari . The family,that provides accommodation and serves meal to the Charmaga troupe, feels itself proud and fortunate for being capable of doing so. In the last day of the festival, they organise a feast or Bhoj for all the people. In the Bhoj they prepare meal separately for both Sakta and Baishnava i.e. the followers of two
different sects of Hinduism. It is called Charkhela Khaun or Chengra Khuwa . After the completion of the Bhoj the Charkhela festival also comes to an end.
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