CM Manik Saha joins Durga Puja parikrama at Barodowali
Synopsis
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha visited the Netaji Social Organization's Durga Puja pandal in Barodowali on Maha Shashthi evening, sharing the moment on X as part of his festive community rounds across the state.
Key Takeaways
Tripura Chief Minister Dr.
Manik Saha undertook a Durga Puja parikrama on the evening of Maha Shashthi, 16 October 2026 .
He visited the pandal of the Netaji Social Organization in Barodowali , a community group active in local civic and festival activities.
The visit was documented on X , with four images shared alongside a Bengali caption.
Durga Puja is the most widely observed festival in Tripura , driven by the state's large Bengali Hindu population.
Community pandal visits during the Puja are a standard part of public engagement for state leaders in Tripura.
On the auspicious evening of Maha Shashthi, Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha stepped out for his Durga Puja community rounds, visiting the pandal of the Netaji Social Organization in Barodowali — joining thousands of residents across the state in marking the sixth day of the festival.
The Chief Minister shared glimpses of the visit on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, 16 October 2026, writing in Bengali: 'মহা ষষ্ঠীর সন্ধ্যায়, দুর্গা পূজা পরিক্রমায় - নেতাজী সামাজিক সংস্থা, বড়দোয়ালী' — 'On the evening of Maha Shashthi, on the Durga Puja parikrama — Netaji Social Organization, Barodowali.'
Netaji Social Organization and the Barodowali tradition
The Netaji Social Organization is a community group in Barodowali, Tripura, known for its active role in local festivals and civic activities. Its Durga Puja celebration draws residents from the surrounding locality each year, making it a familiar stop on any public representative's festive circuit.
Durga Puja as Tripura's biggest cultural moment
Tripura's significant Bengali Hindu population makes Durga Puja the state's most widely observed annual festival. Maha Shashthi — the evening that marks the goddess's ritual 'awakening' — is when the five-day celebration truly comes alive, with pandals lit up and families beginning their rounds across neighbourhoods. For elected leaders in the state, the Puja parikrama is as much a civic ritual as it is a cultural one — a chance to meet constituents in a shared, celebratory space.
Point of View
Where festival visibility among Bengali Hindu communities carries real electoral warmth. For a BJP government in a state where the party has worked to consolidate Hindu cultural identity, participating visibly in Puja celebrations reinforces a broader cultural connect. The choice of a neighbourhood-level community organisation like the Netaji Social Organization — rather than only high-profile central pandals — signals an effort to project grassroots accessibility.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Maha Shashthi in Durga Puja?
Maha Shashthi is the sixth day of the Durga Puja festival, marking the ritual awakening of the goddess Durga. It is the day celebrations formally begin, with pandals illuminated and devotees starting their community rounds.
Where is Barodowali located?
Barodowali is a locality in Tripura, home to the Netaji Social Organization, which organises community events including annual Durga Puja celebrations.
Who is Dr. Manik Saha?
Dr. Manik Saha is the Chief Minister of Tripura and a senior BJP leader. A dentist by training, he assumed the chief ministership and has led the state government since 2022.
Why do Tripura politicians participate in Durga Puja pandal visits?
Tripura has a large Bengali Hindu population for whom Durga Puja is the most important festival. Pandal visits allow elected leaders to engage directly with communities in a celebratory setting, making it a significant part of the state's political calendar.
What is a Durga Puja parikrama?
A Durga Puja parikrama refers to a tour or round of multiple Puja pandals, typically undertaken by devotees or public figures to offer prayers and meet community members across different neighbourhoods during the festival.
