Maintaining age-old traditions, the historic ‘Kharchi Puja’ festival has begun in ‘Puran Habeli,’ the former capital of Tripura, now known as Khayerpur, located about 8 kilometers north of Agartala. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the seven-day fair and ‘Kharchi Puja,’ where 14 deities are worshipped simultaneously, marking one of the state’s most revered religious festivals.
Lakhs of devotees and tourists from various parts of the country are expected to join the week-long fair and the centuries-old festival, which commenced with traditional rituals, religious fervor, and cultural celebrations. The annual Kharchi Puja and fair are believed to symbolize the cleansing of mortal souls’ sins, attracting participants from across the nation.
Kharchi Puja and Mela Committee Chairman Ratan Chakraborty, a former Minister, highlighted the massive participation in the unique festival each year. This year’s theme, “Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam” (A Tree in Mother’s Name), aims to promote a greener Tripura by distributing free saplings to visitors attending the seven-day Kharchi Fair.
Despite lower expected visitors from neighboring Bangladesh due to prevailing conditions, the festival, originally of the indigenous Tripuri community, has evolved into a celebration uniting people of all communities and religions. The festival features colorful marquees, decorative illumination, religious rites, and the chanting of Vedic mantras amidst traditional drum beats.
