Agartala, July 03: The traditional Kharchi Puja festival – associated with the indigenous tribal deities has begun from Thursday here at Khayerpur Old Agartala Chaturdash Devta Temple.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has inaugurated the 7-day long festival and exhibition on Thursday in presence of MLA and Chairman of the Mela Committee Ratan Chakraborty, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Principal Secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Pradip Kumar Chakraborty and other officials.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr Saha described the Kharchi Mela as a vibrant confluence of Tripura’s mixed cultural heritage. “The Kharchi Festival fosters an atmosphere of peace, harmony, and brotherhood. It also serves as a vital platform for the exchange of traditions and culture,” he said.
Dr. Saha elaborated that the Kharchi Puja is a symbol of prosperity, well-being, and spiritual consciousness. The fourteen deities (Chaturdash Devta) worshipped during the festival were historically the ancestral deities of the royal family of Tripura and continue to be revered by the indigenous communities of the state. Over time, the festival has gained a universal character and is now observed by people of all communities across Tripura.
Emphasizing the state government’s commitment to preserving fading art and cultural forms, the Chief Minister stated, “We are working to develop a cultural hub in the state. Major festivals dedicated to traditional forms like Jatra and theatre are being organized to keep these arts alive.”
Highlighting the gradual disappearance of Putul Nach (puppet shows), he called for collective efforts to revive and preserve such traditional forms. “Not only must the government but the people of Tripura also come forward to protect the unique cultures of both tribal and non-tribal communities,” he added.
On the occasion of Kharchi Puja, various government departments has set up exhibition stalls at the fairground.
