Kharchi Puja in Tripura: A Fusion of Devotion, Culture, and Community

The vibrant Kharchi Puja, a significant festival in Tripura, has commenced in Agartala. Celebrated in the temple of fourteen gods, this week-long event features rituals, cultural programs, and a grand fair. The festival unites both tribal and non-tribal communities, promoting unity and well-being.

The vibrant and spiritually significant Kharchi Puja, one of Tripura's most popular festivals, has begun in Agartala, drawing thousands of devotees and visitors.

Celebrated within the temple premises of the fourteen gods in Puran Agartala, the week-long festival is marked by elaborate rituals, cultural programmes, and a grand fair, creating an atmosphere of devotion and festivity. The festival's name, 'Kharchi,' is derived from the word 'Khya,' meaning Earth, emphasizing its focus on worshipping the earth and the fourteen gods, the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people.

The Puja is performed to wash away sins and cleanse the earth following its post-menstrual phase, an ancient ritual with tribal origins performed over seven days in July, starting on the eighth day of the new moon. The deities are carried to the Saidra River by chanting members of the Chantai, ceremoniously bathed in holy water, and then adorned with flowers and vermillion. Various offerings, including sweets and sacrificial meat from goats and pigeons, are made to honour the gods.

Both tribal and non-tribal communities participate enthusiastically, offering a rich array of 'Prasada' such as goats, buffaloes, and sweets. The communal spirit is evident as people come together to seek the welfare of themselves, their society, and the state. Each evening, cultural programmes showcasing local talent and traditions add to the festive spirit. The large fair, featuring various stalls and attractions, further enriches the celebrations, making Kharchi Puja a blend of devotion, culture, and community bonding.

As the festival progresses, the temple grounds are filled with the vibrant energy of devotees, all united in their reverence for the earth and the fourteen gods. Kharchi Puja not only preserves Tripura's rich cultural heritage but also promotes unity and collective well-being. Sushmita Sutradhar, a devotee, told ANI, "It's very pleasant to visit the temple here. I have visited every year, missed last year; but this time, I have come along with my family to take blessings." Another devotee, Varun Debbarma, remarked, "I have been coming here since childhood. It's one of our state's biggest festivals. We come here to receive blessings. Everything is smooth and well-managed. There are also parking facilities for cars, and drinking water is available for the devotees."

Basab Chakraborty, District Coordinator of Scouts and Guides, said, "We are here with a total of 210 scouts and guides, including teachers. Our main duty is to maintain rules and regulations, ease the devotees, and provide facilities for all."

(With inputs from agencies.)