Tripura celebrates centuries-old ‘Ker Puja’ with reverence and tradition

The ancient tradition of ‘Ker Puja’ was celebrated in Tripura on Tuesday with utmost devotion, despite several restrictions and customs in place.

The festival, also observed in other northeastern states and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, is organised by the indigenous tribal population to promote well-being and ward off evil spirits through intricate, time-honoured rituals.

The ‘Ker Puja’ rituals and preparations commenced late on Monday night, spanning a remarkable 31 hours. According to strict customs, no activities related to birth, death, or entertainment are permitted in the designated areas of the ‘Ker Puja’ ground.

Pregnant women and critically ill individuals are also barred from entering these sacred spaces, as per the guidelines issued by the concerned District Magistrates.

Elderly tribal leaders emphasise that anyone who violates these customs must pay a fine, and the Ker Puja must commence anew from its initial stage. Sponsored by the state government, the ‘Ker Puja’ holds immense significance along with another ancient festivity, the ‘Kharchi Puja,’ in Tripura.

The ‘Ker Puja’ is held seven days after the ‘Kharchi Puja,’ a centuries-old festivity that worships 14 deities simultaneously in the former princely state’s previous capital, Puran Habeli, located 7 km north of Agartala.

In the tribal Kokborok language, ‘Ker’ translates to “specified area,” indicating the sanctity and uniqueness of the festival.

The puja rituals commenced at 10 p.m. on Monday night and continued uninterrupted for over 31 hours, as stated in the gazette notification.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J.P. Nadda all sent out tweets congratulating the people of Tripura on this momentous event, drawing attention to the celebration.

The ‘Ker Puja’ signifies the deep-rooted cultural heritage of Tripura and showcases the region’s devotion to preserving age-old traditions. As the rituals concluded, devotees rejoiced in the spiritual essence of the festival, carrying its blessings into their lives.