Ker Puja 2025: Tripura CM Manik Saha hails festival as symbol of tribal harmony
Synopsis
Tripura's Ker Puja — a two-and-a-half-day festival with roots in the reign of Maharaja Trilochan — is more than a religious ritual: it is a constitutionally protected cultural compact, mandated by the 1949 merger agreement, that binds the state government to preserving indigenous tribal traditions alongside its 14 Hindu temples. CM Manik Saha's presence at Ujjayanta Palace underlines how deeply politics and heritage intertwine in the Northeast.
Key Takeaways
Tripura CM Manik Saha observed Ker Puja at the Ujjayanta Palace , Agartala , on 4 August 2025 .
The two-and-a-half-day festival is held approximately one week after the seven-day Kharchi Puja , during which 14 Hindu deities are worshipped simultaneously.
Ker Puja is observed by Tripuri , Reang and other indigenous communities across Tripura, parts of the Northeast, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
The 1949 merger agreement legally mandates the Tripura government to patronise the festival and 14 temples , including the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple — one of India's 51 Shakti Peethas .
The festival traces its origins to the reign of Maharaja Trilochan ; a symbolic bamboo structure and Chantai priests from Khayerpur are central to the rituals.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday, 4 August described the state's centuries-old Ker Puja as a living symbol of faith, unity and harmony between tribal and non-tribal communities, underscoring its role in preserving Tripura's rich cultural and spiritual identity. Saha observed the festival from outside the notified ritual boundary at the historic Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala, in keeping with the age-old customs that govern the observance.
How the Festival Was Observed
The Chief Minister was accompanied by BJP state President Abhishek Debroy, West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar, and other dignitaries. In accordance with strict traditional codes, outsiders are barred from entering the notified ritual area while the puja is in progress. Activities including birth, death, and recreation are prohibited within the sacred boundary until the festival concludes.
'On this auspicious occasion of Ker Puja, I had the opportunity to receive blessings,' Saha told reporters after the observance.
Roots and Rituals of Ker Puja
The two-and-a-half-day Ker Puja is observed approximately one week after the conclusion of the seven-day Kharchi Puja, during which the 14 Hindu deities of Tripura are worshipped simultaneously. This year's Kharchi Puja was held at Puran Habeli — the former capital of the erstwhile princely state, now known as Khayerpur, about 8 km north of Agartala — at the Chaturdash Devata Temple.
The festival is organised primarily by indigenous tribal communities and involves intricate, time-honoured rituals performed for the well-being of the people, protection of the land, and to ward off evil forces. A symbolic bamboo structure is worshipped as part of the observance. The Chantai priests who serve the 14 deities at the Chaturdash Devata Temple travel to Agartala to perform the rites.
Saha noted that the festival traces its origins to the reign of Maharaja Trilochan, the erstwhile king of Tripura. While the puja is now conducted in front of the royal palace, historically the entire palace complex fell within the sacred Ker boundary.
Beyond Agartala: A Wider Reach
Ker Puja is not confined to the state capital. Members of the Tripuri, Reang and several other indigenous tribal communities observe the festival in their respective villages following their own traditional customs. The festival is also celebrated in tribal-dominated areas across Tripura, in a few other Northeastern states, and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of neighbouring Bangladesh.
Constitutional Mandate to Preserve the Festival
The continued state patronage of Ker Puja has a legal basis. Following the signing of the merger agreement between Tripura Regent Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi and the then Governor-General of India on 15 October 1949, Tripura came under the administration of the Government of India. The agreement made it mandatory for the Tripura government to continue patronising 14 temples and several traditional religious observances — including Kharchi Puja, Ker Puja, and the revered Mata Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the country's 51 Shakti Peethas. The state government has borne the expenses of these festivals and temples for several decades in fulfilment of that commitment.
What the Chief Minister Said
'We all know that Ker Puja is observed seven days after the Kharchi Puja held at the Chaturdash Devata Temple in Khayerpur. This traditional festival began during the reign of the erstwhile king Maharaja Trilochan,' Saha said. He added that one of the principal objectives of the festival is to promote goodwill, social harmony and the spirit of brotherhood among all sections of society, and to collectively pray for protection from diseases and other calamities.
Saha also posted on X: 'Ker Puja is a unique symbol of our rich heritage, culture and spiritual beliefs. May this sacred festival bring peace, good health and prosperity into everyone's lives — this is my prayer.'
With the observance drawing participation from multiple indigenous communities across the region, Ker Puja continues to serve as one of the Northeast's most distinctive intersections of tribal tradition and shared civic identity.
Point of View
However, is how the festival has evolved into a shared civic moment rather than an exclusively tribal one, with the Chief Minister's presence at the Ujjayanta Palace boundary becoming an annual signal of the ruling party's outreach to indigenous communities. In a state where tribal-non-tribal tensions have historically shaped electoral outcomes, the optics of Ker Puja carry weight well beyond the ritual boundary.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ker Puja in Tripura?
Ker Puja is a centuries-old traditional festival observed primarily by indigenous tribal communities in Tripura, involving rituals performed for the well-being of the people, protection of the land, and to ward off evil forces. It is a two-and-a-half-day observance held approximately one week after the seven-day Kharchi Puja, during which the 14 Hindu deities of Tripura are worshipped.
Where is Ker Puja celebrated?
The main observance takes place in front of the historic Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala. The festival is also celebrated in tribal-dominated areas across Tripura, in a few other Northeastern states, and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of neighbouring Bangladesh.
Why is the Tripura government obligated to fund Ker Puja?
The merger agreement signed between Tripura Regent Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi and the then Governor-General of India on 15 October 1949 made it mandatory for the Tripura government to continue patronising 14 temples and several traditional religious observances, including Ker Puja and Kharchi Puja. The state has honoured this commitment for several decades.
Who are the key figures involved in Ker Puja rituals?
The Chantai priests, who serve the 14 deities at the Chaturdash Devata Temple in Khayerpur, travel to Agartala to perform the Ker Puja rituals. Members of the Tripuri, Reang and other indigenous communities also observe the festival in their own villages according to their traditional customs.
What are the restrictions during Ker Puja?
Outsiders are not permitted to enter the notified ritual area during the observance. Within the sacred boundary, activities such as birth, death, and recreation are prohibited until the puja concludes — rules that apply to all, including senior government officials.
