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International Portrait Photography Awards 2025

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A Hindu devotee pierces his tongue with sharp needles during Charak Puja, a centuries-old Hindu folk festival celebrated predominantly in parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The ritual considers Tongue Piercing as an extreme act of devotion in which devotees surrender their pain to Lord Shiva and seek blessings for prosperity. This piercing is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual offering—an intense demonstration of devotion and surrender to Lord Shiva, the deity revered for destruction and regeneration. Tongue piercing during Charak Puja symbolizes the suppression of speech and ego, reflecting the devotee’s willingness to endure pain in exchange for divine blessings. By inflicting such self-pain, devotees believe they can attain spiritual purification, rid themselves of sins, and seek divine intervention to alleviate the hardships of daily life. The ritual is often performed in a trance-like state, accompanied by chants, drums, and the collective spiritual energy of the gathered crowd.