Charida Chhau Mask Village
চড়িদা
A village where Chhau dance masks are made. Its whole street is lined with mask workshops, where you can watch artisans make deity and demon masks from paper pulp and clay.
Chhau dance is listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Purulia style of Chhau is known for its exaggerated, ornate masks. In Charida village, more than a hundred households have made masks for generations. Their workshops open onto the street, where you can see the whole process, from clay moulds and paper layering to painting and bead decoration. You can buy masks of various sizes as souvenirs, and prices vary widely with size and craftsmanship. Chhau dance performances are often held in winter, so ask in advance.
Opening hours
Daytime
Nearby sights
- Turga Falls & Dam
- Bamni Falls
- Marble Lake
- Purulia Pumped Storage Upper & Lower Dam
- Ajodhya Hills
- Murguma Dam
- Pakhi Pahar
- Deulghata