Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday, 22 July inaugurated the seven-day Kharchi Puja and fair at the historic Chaturdash Devta Temple (Temple of the 14 Gods) in Khayerpur, about 8 km north of Agartala, calling the centuries-old festival a living symbol of the state's communal harmony and cultural identity.

What Kharchi Puja Represents

Saha, who also holds the Information and Cultural Affairs portfolio, described Kharchi Puja as far more than a religious observance. 'Kharchi Puja is not merely a religious festival; it is a shining symbol of Tripura's history, culture, spiritual consciousness, communal harmony and unity among the state's tribal and non-tribal communities. It is one of the oldest and most universal traditional festivals of Tripura,' he said.

The festival is observed annually on Shukla Ashtami of the month of Ashadh, with elaborate rituals, fairs, and cultural programmes spanning the full seven days. This year's edition runs from 22 July to 28 July.

Historical and Royal Roots

According to the Rajmala — the royal chronicle of Tripura — the fourteen deities worshipped during Kharchi Puja were originally the family deities of the erstwhile Tripura royal dynasty. The fourteen deities are Har, Uma, Hari, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Brahma, Prithvi, Samudra, Ganga, Agni, Kamdev and Himadri. Of these, Har, Uma and Hari are worshipped throughout the year, while the remaining eleven are worshipped specifically on Shukla Ashtami.

The puja is conducted by the Chantai (chief priest), who performs centuries-old rituals with strict adherence to tradition. Saha noted that although the festival originated as royal worship, it has gradually evolved into a people's festival embraced by all communities, transcending caste, tribal, and religious lines. The main spiritual purpose of Kharchi Puja, he added, is to purify Mother Earth and attain virtue.

Temple as a Tourism Destination

The Chief Minister described the Chaturdash Devta Temple as one of Tripura's premier religious tourism destinations, noting that thousands of visitors now arrive each year from different parts of the country and abroad. He said the Tourism Department has undertaken several initiatives to provide modern amenities to pilgrims and tourists while preserving the temple's historical significance.

Recalling an earlier era, Saha mentioned that before the construction of a bridge over the Howrah River, devotees had to cross by boat to reach the temple — a journey that had led to accidents — yet people from across the state still participated irrespective of caste or creed. 'The government is committed to ensuring development without compromising its heritage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also laid special emphasis on the preservation and promotion of the country's cultural and historical heritage,' he said.

This Year's Theme and Fair Details

The theme of the 2025 Kharchi Mela is 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', aimed at spreading awareness about environmental conservation and increasing green cover. Saha appreciated the fair committee for choosing the environment-centric theme. Around 22 exhibition stalls have been set up at the venue, and cultural programmes featuring artists from across the country are scheduled throughout the week.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Kharchi Puja and Fair Committee Chairman and former Minister Ratan Chakraborty, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor and MLA Dipak Majumder, Tourism Secretary Uttam Kumar Chakma, along with other public representatives and eminent citizens.

As the festival draws devotees and tourists from across India and beyond, it stands as one of Tripura's most significant annual confluences of faith, culture, and community — one the state government has signalled it intends to develop further in the years ahead.