CM Manik Saha Joins Panchami Puja Parikrama in Tripura
Synopsis
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited Durga Puja pandals at Navadiganta and Jaynagar on Panchami evening, sharing the community celebration on X with images from the parikrama.
Key Takeaways
Manik Saha , Chief Minister of Tripura, undertook a puja parikrama on Panchami evening, 16 October 2026 .
The visit covered pandals at Navadiganta and Jaynagar in Tripura.
The Chief Minister shared four images from the evening on X, describing it as a 'joyful' Panchami outing.
Tripura has a large Bengali-speaking population for whom Durga Puja is the year's biggest cultural festival.
Panchami marks the transition into the main days of Durga Puja celebrations.
The festive glow of Panchami evening drew Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha into the heart of the community, as he joined the puja parikrama — the traditional rounds of Durga Puja pandals — at Navadiganta and Jaynagar on Thursday, 16 October 2026.
Posting on X, the Chief Minister captured the mood of the evening with a single, evocative Bengali phrase: 'পঞ্চমীর আনন্দঘন সন্ধ্যায় পূজা পরিক্রমায়' — 'On the joyful evening of Panchami, making the rounds of the pujas' — accompanied by four images from the visit.
Tripura, with its large Bengali-speaking population, takes Durga Puja seriously — a season of packed pandals, bright lights, and fierce community pride. Panchami, the fifth day of the lunar fortnight that leads into the main days of the festival, marks the moment when celebrations shift from preparation to full-throated festivity.
For elected leaders in eastern and northeastern India, the puja parikrama is a well-established tradition: a chance to be seen among constituents not at a podium, but on foot, shoulder to shoulder, sharing in a cultural moment that transcends politics. Dr. Saha's visit to Navadiganta and Jaynagar follows that pattern — visible, grounded, and rooted in the rhythm of the festival.
Point of View
He reinforces a personal, accessible image that complements his party's broader push to consolidate support among Tripura's Bengali-speaking majority. It is a low-stakes, high-visibility gesture — but in festival season, those gestures accumulate into political goodwill. The ritual of the parikrama also signals normalcy and stability, a quiet signal that governance and celebration can coexist.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did CM Manik Saha visit during Panchami 2026?
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited Durga Puja pandals at Navadiganta and Jaynagar in Tripura on the evening of Panchami, 16 October 2026.
What is a puja parikrama?
A puja parikrama is the tradition of making rounds of multiple Durga Puja pandals during the festival, usually on foot, to view the idols and participate in community celebrations.
What is Panchami in Durga Puja?
Panchami is the fifth day of the Navratri lunar fortnight leading up to Durga Puja. It marks the beginning of the festive spirit ahead of the main days — Shashti, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami.
Does Tripura celebrate Durga Puja on a large scale?
Yes. Tripura has a significant Bengali-speaking population and observes Durga Puja as one of its biggest annual festivals, with numerous pandals across the state drawing large crowds each year.
