Tripura Kicks Off Weeklong Kharchi Festival at Historic Temple

Agartala: Tripura kicked off its seven-day Kharchi Festival on Wednesday at the Chaturdasha Devata Temple in Khayerpur. The celebration marks a deep dive into state history. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha led the opening ceremony, honoring the fourteen guardian deities worshipped since the reign of Maharaja Krishna Manikya. The temple moved from Udaipur to Old Agartala in 1760.

Festivities actually started on July 21 with the sacred Snan Yatra. Chief priest Durga Manikya Debbarma performed the holy bathing ritual at the Howrah River ghat. The Chantai leads the primary rites for the fourteen deities: Hara, Uma, Hari, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Brahma, Prithvi, Samudra, Ganga, Agni, Kamadeva, and Himadri.

This year, the fair centers on the theme Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. Organizers will distribute saplings to visitors to boost afforestation. Dr. Saha emphasized the importance of the event for communal harmony. He stated, "This vibrant festival serves as a platform for cultural exchange and strengthens social bonds among people."

The government is currently upgrading the site. New infrastructure includes a Nat Mandir, Haveli Park, and an open-air stage to boost religious tourism. Projects at the Tripura Sundari Temple in Udaipur are also moving forward under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Notable attendees included Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Agartala Mayor Dipak Majumder, MLA and committee chairman Ratan Chakraborty, MLA Swapna Debbarma, Secretary Kiran Gitte, and District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar. The festival remains open until July 28.