Charkula is a traditional folk dance of Braj region in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most spectacular dance performances among the Indian Tribal Dances. This dance form mainly takes place on the third day after the Holi festival. The dance owes its birth to Krishna era. It is associated with several legends related to Lord Krishna. According to beliefs, Radha`s, consort of Krishna, grandmother had run outside to deliver the news of her birth carrying Charkula or oil-lamps on her head. Since then the tradition of dancing with oil lamps on head had become an auspicious occasion. Charkula Dance, Uttar Pradesh is performed by veiled women who balance a large multi-tiered circular wooden pyramid on their heads. However, there is another myth related to the dance form. It is believed that the Charkula dance celebrates the happy victory over Indra by Krishna and the cowherd community of Braj. This dance is considered to be a symbol of happiness as well as joyful rapture. Dancers enact the Govardhan Leela in the form of 50 Kilogram Charkula on their head during the performance.

Charkula Dance of Uttar Pradesh is performed with various steps. Women with the wooden pyramid or Charukula lighted with 108 oil lamps perform the dance. This dance is acted upon on the `rasiya` songs of Lord Krishna. Rasiya is a rich tradition of folk-songs of the Braj area that describe the love of the divine couple Radha and Shri Krishna. Charkula is mainly danced by the Brahman Community of the villages in Mathura district. It is a dramatic dance performance which is visually attractive. It is admired as a popular dance form of Brajbhoomi and is performed during various festivals.

The charkula is a tapered wooden column with four to five circular tiers. On each level it has lighted earthen lamps, whose number may range from 51 to 108 ones. In the dance performance female dancers tactfully balance a column of lighted deepikas or oil lamps over their heads while dancing. The dancers balancing the charkula on their head move with swift and graceful movements on the tune of music. Dancers perform Charkula Dance, Uttar Pradesh wearing long skirts that reach to the toes and a colourful blouse complement it. The dancing damsels also cover her body and face with the odhani. They hold lighted lamps in both their hands. Their movements are limited because of the heavy load on the head. The dancers cannot bend their body, nor can they move her neck. In spite of these limitations the slim, sturdy and courageous dancers dance, gliding, bending, and pirouetting to the tune of the song. The climax is reached when enraptured by the collective merriment of the occasion, the singers also start dancing. The swift beat of music and movement enthrall the audience thus they find themselves carried away by the jubilation and the wonderful rhythm.