Kharchi Puja Ends in Splendor and Devotion Amid Heavy Rain in Tripura

A Celebration of Faith and Heritage: The Grand Concluding of Kharchi Puja in Tripura

Kharchi Puja, one of the most revered traditional festivals in Tripura, recently concluded with great devotion and enthusiasm, despite the challenges posed by heavy rainfall. This festival holds a significant place in the cultural and religious life of the people of Tripura, comparable to Durga Puja and the Tripureshwari Festival of Matabari. Each year, it draws millions of devotees who come together to celebrate this ancient tradition.

This year’s fair started on July 3 and ended on July 9, continuing the legacy of attracting large crowds as seen in previous years. Despite the adverse weather conditions, the public’s enthusiasm remained undiminished, and the temple premises witnessed a steady flow of visitors throughout the event.

The closing ceremony was attended by several notable figures, including the Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, highlighting the importance of the festival not only as a religious event but also as a significant cultural gathering.

The Significance of Kharchi Puja

At the heart of Kharchi Puja is the worship of the Chaturdasha Devata—14 deities considered the ancestral gods of Tripura’s royal family. These deities are deeply venerated by the indigenous tribes of the state and are central to the festival’s rituals. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, the festival transcends religious boundaries, embodying a vibrant celebration of faith, heritage, and cultural unity.

According to Hindu mythology, the festival has its origins in the story of a demon king named Tripur. His son, Maharaja Tripur, became a tyrant, causing immense suffering to his subjects. The people prayed to Lord Shiva, who eventually defeated Tripur with his trident. After his death, Queen Hirabati took over the kingdom. Concerned about the future of the kingdom, she sought divine help once again.

It is said that while bathing in a river, Queen Hirabati saw 14 deities hiding in fear atop a silk cotton tree, frightened by a wild buffalo. To protect them, the queen threw her breast cloth at the beast, rendering it motionless. She then brought the deities to the royal palace and began worshipping them. With their blessings, she later gave birth to a son, Trilochan, marking the continuation of the royal lineage. From then on, the 14 deities became the royal family’s patron gods.

The Temple and Its Legacy

A grand temple was later constructed at Udaipur, and today’s prominent Chaturdasha Devata Temple was built by King Krishna Kishore Manikya (1760-1783) in Old Agartala (Puratani Haveli) after shifting the capital due to repeated Mughal invasions. Although the capital eventually moved again in 1870, the temple remains at its original location and continues to be the focal point of the festival.

The main priest of the temple is called ‘Chantai,’ who oversees the rituals for the 14 deities, known in the tribal language as Mithaikotor, Akhata-Bikhata Lampra, Sangrongma, Tuima, Mailuma, Khuluma, Burasa, Thumnairung, Bonirung, Noksu, Garia, Haichukma, Sikal (Birirung), and Sriyamadu. In the Bengali tradition, these deities are equated with gods and goddesses such as Shiva, Uma, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Brahma, Prithvi (the Earth), Samudra (the Ocean), Ganga, Agni (Fire), Kamadeva, and Himadri.

Rituals and Cultural Diversity

During Kharchi Puja, these 14 deities are worshipped together only once a year—on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the waxing moon in the month of Ashadha, in the old palace complex at Khayerpur. Typically, only Shiva, Uma, and Vishnu are worshipped daily. Among the 14, some deities represent water, mountains, agriculture, and natural forces, highlighting the animistic and ecological reverence that defines the festival.

The fair surrounding the puja transforms the temple premises into a sea of humanity, with saints, pilgrims, tourists, traders, and cultural enthusiasts arriving from various parts of India. Kharchi Puja continues to stand as a powerful symbol of Tripura’s spiritual legacy and inclusive culture, attracting ever-growing participation and preserving its age-old traditions with pride.