Agartala, July 22 (SocialNews.XYZ) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the Chaturdash Devta Temple (Temple of the 14 Gods) has emerged as one of the state’s most important religious tourism destinations and asserted that the government is committed to preserving its rich heritage while accelerating development.
He said the centuries‑old Kharchi Puja has evolved into a festival that brings together people from all sections of society, transcending caste, tribal and religious identities, and reflects Tripura’s unique tradition of communal harmony.
The Chief Minister was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the seven‑day traditional Kharchi Puja and fair at the historic Chaturdash Devta Temple premises at Khayerpur, about 8 km north of Agartala.
Paying homage to the Chaturdash Devta, Saha, who also holds the Information and Cultural Affairs portfolio, wished happiness, peace, prosperity, good health and the overall well‑being of the people of Tripura.
He said the main purpose of Kharchi Puja is to purify Mother Earth and attain virtue.
“Kharchi Puja is not merely a religious festival; it is a shining symbol of Tripura’s history, culture, spiritual consciousness, communal harmony and unity among the state’s tribal and non‑tribal communities. It is one of the oldest and most universal traditional festivals of Tripura,” he added.
The Chief Minister said that although the festival originated as the worship of the fourteen deities, who were the family deities of the erstwhile Tripura royal family, it has gradually become a people’s festival celebrated by all communities.
Kharchi Puja is observed every year on the Shukla Ashtami of the month of Ashadh, when elaborate religious rituals, fairs and cultural programmes are organised.
Recalling the past, Saha said that before the construction of the bridge over the Howrah River, devotees had to cross the river by boat to reach the temple, and many accidents had occurred during those journeys. Despite hardships, people from across the state participated in the festival irrespective of caste, religion or creed.
He said during the seven‑day‑long puja and fair, devotees and visitors from different parts of the country and abroad gather, making it a vibrant confluence of faith and culture.
Referring to the historical significance of the festival, the Chief Minister said the Rajmala, the royal chronicle of Tripura, mentions that the fourteen deities are the family deities of the royal dynasty.
The Kharchi Puja is performed by the Chantai (chief priest), who conducts the centuries‑old rituals with strict adherence to tradition. The fourteen deities worshipped during the festival are Har, Uma, Hari, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Brahma, Prithvi, Samudra, Ganga, Agni, Kamdev and Himadri. Of these, Har, Uma and Hari are worshipped throughout the year, while the remaining deities are worshipped on Shukla Ashtami.
Highlighting Tripura’s social fabric, Saha said unity in diversity remains one of the state’s greatest strengths. “We are proud of this tradition. Every year, Kharchi Puja strengthens the spirit of brotherhood among people of different languages, cultures and communities. It promotes cultural exchange and further reinforces social harmony,” he said.
The Chief Minister said this year’s Kharchi Festival, which began on Wednesday, will continue till July 28. The theme of the Kharchi Mela this year is ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, aimed at spreading awareness about environmental conservation and increasing green cover.
He appreciated the fair committee for choosing the environment‑centric theme and said around 22 exhibition stalls have been set up at the venue. Various cultural programmes featuring renowned and talented artistes from different parts of the country would also be organised during the week‑long festival, further enriching Tripura’s cultural heritage.
Describing the Chaturdash Devta Temple as one of the state’s premier religious tourism destinations, Saha said the Tourism Department has undertaken several initiatives to provide modern amenities to tourists and pilgrims while preserving the temple’s historical and cultural significance.
“Steps have also been taken to enhance the temple’s appeal for visitors. Thousands of tourists now visit this place every year. The government is committed to ensuring development without compromising its heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also laid special emphasis on the preservation and promotion of the country’s cultural and historical heritage,” he said.
The inaugural programme was attended by Kharchi Puja and Fair Committee Chairman and former Minister Ratan Chakraborty, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, Tourism Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma, besides other public representatives and eminent citizens.
Source: IANS
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