Kharchi Puja showcases Tripura's rich heritage, tourism potential: CM Manik Saha

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that the Chaturdash Devta Temple is one of the most important religious tourism centres in Tripura and that the government is working to preserve its heritage while taking development forwardThe traditional Kharchi Puja has now become a gathering place for people from all sections of society cutting across caste and tribal communities he saidSaha said this while inaugurating the sevenday traditional Kharchi Puja and fair at the premises of the Chaturdash Devta Temple in KhayerpurSpeaking at the inaugural ceremony CM Saha said Today I pay my deepest respects to the Chaturdash Devta and wish happiness peace good health prosperity and the allround welfare of the people of Tripura The main purpose of Kharchi Puja is to purify Mother Earth and attain virtue Kharchi Puja is not just a religious festival it is a shining symbol of Tripuras history culture spiritual consciousness harmony and unity among the states tribal and nontribal communities It is one of the oldest traditional and universal religious festivals of Tripura We know that this puja began with the worship of the fourteen deities the family deities of the royal family but today it has become a universal festival of the people of TripuraThe Chief Minister said that every year Kharchi Puja is held on the Shukla Ashtami of the month of Ashadh Various religious rituals fairs and cultural activities are organised on the occasionLong ago there was no bridge over the Howrah River so people had to travel by boat Many accidents also occurred during those journeys Yet people from all over the state participated in this puja regardless of caste religion or creed During this sevendaylong puja and fair people from different states and even other countries gather here making it a vibrant meeting place It is mentioned in the Rajmala that the fourteen deities are the family deities of the royal family The Kharchi Puja is performed by the Chantai Under the leadership of the chief priest or Chantai this centuriesold Kharchi Puja is celebrated with great reverence while following all the prescribed rituals These fourteen deities are Har Uma Hari Lakshmi Saraswati Kartik Ganesha Brahma Prithvi Samudra Ganga Agni Kamdev and Himadri Har Uma and Hari are worshipped throughout the year while the remaining deities are worshipped on Shukla Ashtami Saha saidDuring the discussion Saha also said that unity in diversity is one of Tripuras greatest strengthsWe are proud of this Every year this festival strengthens the sense of brotherhood among people of different languages cultures and communities It promotes cultural exchange and strengthens social bonds This years Kharchi Festival 2026 begins today and will continue for seven days until July 28 The theme of this years Kharchi Mela is Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam I thank the fair committee for taking the initiative to spread the message of environmental protection and greening among the people Today about 22 exhibition stalls have been opened here Various cultural programmes will also be organised with renowned and talented artists from different places presenting their performances This will further strengthen the states cultural heritage he saidHe also said that Chaturdash Devta Bari is today one of the most important religious tourism centres in TripuraThe Tourism Department has taken initiatives to provide modern facilities to tourists and pilgrims while preserving the heritage of the temple Steps have also been taken to enhance the attraction of this temple for visitors Thousands of tourists now visit this place every year The government is committed to taking development forward while preserving its heritage Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also given special importance to the preservation and development of heritage he addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever