A buffalo and several goats were sacrificed at the historic Durgabari temple in Agartala on Tuesday, 20 October, as part of Maha Navami rituals during Durga Puja, continuing a century-old tradition linked to Tripura's former Manikya dynasty. The ritual was conducted under the direct supervision of the West Tripura district administration, which put in place measures to comply with directions issued by the courts.

How the ritual was conducted

The animal sacrifice site was covered to prevent public viewing, with district administration officials specifically ensuring that children could not witness the proceedings. Hygiene protocols and prescribed procedural norms were maintained throughout.

West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar confirmed that all judicial directions had been adhered to. 'All directions issued by the court have been followed. The premises have been covered, proper hygiene has been maintained, and healthy animals are brought for sacrifice in accordance with the prescribed protocols,' Kumar said.

A tradition backed by centuries of royal custom

Head priest Jayanta Bhattacharjee described animal sacrifice as an inseparable part of Maha Navami worship at the temple. 'We have a century-old tradition of sacrificing animals to Goddess Durga on the day of Maha Navami as part of the worship. The ritual was conducted at a site concealed from public view. In fact, worshipping of Goddess Durga will remain incomplete without animal sacrifice,' he said.

The 150-year-old Durga Puja at Durgabari temple, located near the magnificent Ujjayanta Palace — the former royal residence — draws thousands of devotees each year, including visitors from across India and neighbouring Bangladesh. The Durga Puja itself is organised by the West Tripura district administration on behalf of the former royal family.

The legal backdrop

The practice of animal sacrifice at Tripura's temples came under judicial scrutiny in 2019, when a division bench of the Tripura High Court banned animal and bird sacrifices at religious institutions, including the revered Tripura Sundari temple in Gomati district, southern Tripura. The Supreme Court subsequently stayed the High Court's order following a petition, while imposing certain restrictions on the practice.

The sacrifice ritual at Durgabari had also been suspended for a period for administrative reasons before resuming two years ago, according to officials. This year's resumption represents the continuation of a tradition that has survived legal challenges, administrative interruptions, and changing political governments.

Cultural and historical significance

Historian and writer Panna Lal Roy noted that government support for worship at temples associated with the former royal family has remained uninterrupted across successive Left and non-Left administrations in the state. He pointed to the merger agreement signed in 1949 between Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi, the then regent, and Indian authorities, which provided for the continuation of certain royal religious customs.

The temple's rituals reflect cultural and religious traditions shared by both Bengali and tribal communities in Tripura, officials noted. Bhattacharjee added that offerings at the temple are governed entirely by devotee donations and religious practice, with no restriction on meat or fish. 'We offer Goddess Durga whatever devotees donate or sacrifice at the temple. There is no bar on meat and fish here,' he said.

What follows on Vijaya Dashami

On Wednesday, the day of Vijaya Dashami, the police are scheduled to present a formal guard of honour to Goddess Durga at the temple in the early morning. The holy pitcher will then be escorted to Ujjayanta Palace, where members of the erstwhile royal family will bid farewell to the deity, marking the close of the Durga Puja observances for the year.