The Durgabari temple in Agartala, Tripura, continues to host one of India's most historically significant Durga Pujas — a 500-year-old royal tradition that has endured successive political regimes and is still funded by the state government, more than seven decades after the erstwhile princely state merged with the Indian Union on 15 October 1949.

A Living Royal Legacy

Situated near the magnificent Ujjayanta Palace — the former seat of Tripura's royal administration — the 150-year-old Durgabari temple draws thousands of devotees each year, including pilgrims from across India and neighbouring Bangladesh. The five-day festival opened this year with the traditional Bodhan ceremony, marking the invocation of Goddess Durga, on Friday.

According to Jayanta Bhattacharjee, the temple's head priest whose family has served in that role for more than six generations, the puja traces its origins to the era of the Manikya kings. 'The royal family's tradition of worshipping Goddess Durga has been preserved over the years, with several customary rituals continuing to this day,' Bhattacharjee said.

Historical Roots and the Manikya Dynasty

The puja is believed to have been initiated by the Manikya dynasty over 500 years ago, with the tradition predating the current temple structure. Historian and writer Panna Lal Roy noted that during the reign of King Ratna Manikya (1464–1488), the dynasty issued a 'Mudra' — a currency coin — bearing the image of Goddess Durga, underscoring the deep religious centrality of the deity to Tripura's royal identity.

The royal dynasty's seat shifted across several locations before Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya established Agartala as the capital in 1838. The Ujjayanta Palace nearby was subsequently constructed by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya between 1899 and 1901, and now houses a large museum dedicated to the history and culture of the eight Northeastern states.

State Funding Across Political Divides

The state government has sanctioned ₹7.50 lakh for this year's celebrations — a practice that has continued under both Left and non-Left administrations. Roy noted that this continuity is partly grounded in the 1949 merger agreement signed between Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi, the then regent, and Indian authorities, which reportedly provided for the continuation of certain royal religious traditions.

A government division called Debarchan Vibhag currently oversees arrangements at more than 16 temples across four districts of Tripura. The West Tripura District Magistrate and Collector, traditionally designated 'Sebayet', manages the arrangements, while surviving members of the former royal family remain symbolically involved. Bibhu Kumari Devi, an elderly member of the erstwhile royal family, reportedly provides symbolic approval of the arrangements each year.

Distinct Rituals and the Dashami Procession

The Durgabari Puja is distinguished by its unique ritual offerings, which, according to Roy, include not only fruits but also fish, meat, eggs, and liquor — a reflection of the syncretic traditions of the Manikya court. The Dashami procession, marking the immersion of the idols, is another highlight: the Durgabari idols lead the immersion at Dashamighat and are the first to be immersed, accorded full state honours and accompanied by the state police band.

Tripura's Broader Puja Landscape

This year, more than 3,020 community Durga Pujas and over 100 family Pujas are being organised across Tripura, including around 775 in West Tripura district alone. Several pandals this year also incorporate themes around climate change, blending contemporary social messaging with the festive spirit. The scale of celebrations has necessitated extensive security and traffic management arrangements across the state.

As the puja season unfolds, the Durgabari celebrations stand as a rare instance of a pre-Independence royal tradition that has been institutionalised into the post-merger state apparatus — a living bridge between Tripura's monarchical past and its democratic present.