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Tripura like previous years is once again ready for Kharchi Puja – a unique mix of Hindu and tribal animistic rituals – in Chaturdash Devata Temple in Khayerpur. The seven-day puja will begin on Sunday with al required religious rituals. Although the Kharchi puja is all about 14 deities with Hindu as well as tribal names, unlike other Hindu puja it is performed by tribal Chantai who holds during the puja days almost divine power.
The Puja starts with the traditional Snan Yatra of the 14 deities and a ceremonial guard of honor by the state police. The guard of honour is accorded to Chantai.
The fourteen deities worshipped during Kharchi Puja are Sibarai (Mahadev), Sangrama (Kali), Hachukma (Bashundhara), Sukundrai (Kartika), Mukundrai (Ganesh), Towabukma (Ganga), Mailukma (Lakshmi), Eritra (Agni), Birritra (Pavan), Kalakatar (Mahakal), Kalari (Yama), Dandaka (Kamadeva), Randaka (Kubera), and Banirak (Ashwinikumar Twins). These deities are the ancestral Kula Devta of the Tripuri people, and many mythological stories surround the origins of Kharchi Puja.
Originally exclusive to the royal family, Kharchi Puja has grown into a significant cultural and spiritual event embraced by all. This year, the 264th edition of Kharchi Puja and Mela will be celebrated with the theme ‘Green is the Future.’ Thousands of devotees from across India are expected to attend, continuing the tradition of spiritual connection and communal harmony.
Ahead of the festival, the Chaturdash Devata Temple has been decorated with vibrant adornments, and the surrounding areas, including Haveli Park, Museum, and Haveli Lake, are beautifully illuminated. Around 800 vendors have set up stalls for the Mela, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
To ensure the safety of the participants, extensive security measures, including CCTV cameras and the deployment of police, TSR forces, civil defense, scouts, and volunteers, are in place. Fire safety and health services are also being arranged.
In a gesture to facilitate public participation, the state government has declared a holiday on the festival’s final day. The community eagerly awaits the start of Kharchi Puja, a celebration that strengthens unity and devotion among the people of Tripura.
