A video of Dumri MLA and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) chief Jairam Mahato has gone viral across social media platforms, capturing a moment of intense traditional devotion. In the footage, the newly elected legislator is seen suspended from a 30-foot-high wooden structure known as the ‘Charak Pole.’ The event took place in Kharpito village, located in the Nawadih block of Bokaro district, where Mahato participated in the ancient Charak Puja, also locally referred to as Bhokta Parab. While swinging at that significant height, the MLA was seen showering flower petals on the gathered crowd, symbolising blessings and the preservation of local heritage.
Charak Puja is a deep-rooted tradition in Jharkhand, specifically celebrated to appease Lord Shiva. The festival is characterized by rigorous physical acts of penance. Devotees often undergo extreme rituals, such as walking barefoot over glowing embers or having iron hooks and nails pierced through their skin before being suspended from high poles. For Jairam Mahato, participating in this ritual is seen as a way to stay connected with the grassroots and the spiritual fabric of his constituency. By engaging in these age-old customs, he aims to send a strong message about the importance of safeguarding indigenous culture and folk traditions from fading away in the modern era.