Agartala, Sep 28 (NationPress) The 149-year-old Durga Puja, originally established by the former kings of Tripura and continuously supported by the state government for over seventy years, remains a major draw for devotees from across India and neighboring nations, such as Bangladesh.

Since merging with the Indian Union 76 years ago, the Tripura government—whether led by Left or non-Left parties—stands out as the only state in India where the administration still actively funds this historic Durgabari Puja. The event is also meticulously overseen by both the surviving members of the royal family and the West Tripura District administration.

The ceremonial 'Bodhan' (also known as 'Maha Sasthi'), which marks the reception of the Durga idols, kicked off on Sunday at the renowned Durgabari temple, positioned in front of the 124-year-old Ujjayanta Palace, one of eastern India's most prominent royal residences.

Constructed between 1899 and 1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya, the two-story Ujjayanta Palace spans approximately one square kilometer and served as the administrative center for former kings.

After the year 1949, it transitioned into the state Legislative Assembly. In July 2011, following the assembly's relocation to the Capital Complex on the outskirts of the city, this magnificent three-domed mansion was transformed into the largest museum in eastern India, dedicated to showcasing the region's history, culture, and lifestyle.

According to the head priest of the Durgabari temple, Jayanta Bhattacharjee, the tradition of Durga Puja began over 500 years ago during the royal era in Tripura.

“The princely dynasty's administrative headquarters was initially established in Udaipur in southern Tripura, later moving to Amarpur, then Puran Habeli, and finally settling in Agartala 187 years ago in 1838 under Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya (1830-49),” said 60-year-old Bhattacharjee in an interview with IANS.

Bhattacharjee's ancestors have served as head priests at the Durgabari temple for over six generations.

As per tradition, the West Tripura District Magistrate (DM) and Collector must provide a written report regarding the preparations for Durga Puja to the former royal family before commencing the rituals, along with a final report post the five-day celebration.

The DM, referred to as 'Sebayet', acts as the main organizer for the Durgabari Puja. While certain aspects of this age-old practice have been slightly altered, every detail of the Durga Puja receives symbolic approval from the elder member of the royal family, Bibhu Kumari Devi.

Bhattacharjee, whose father was the late head priest, Pandit Dulal Bhattacharjee, remarked that the festival's true spectacle unfolds on the final day of Dashami.

The Durga idols that lead the Dashami procession are the first to be immersed at Dashamighat, accompanied by full state honors and a police band performing the national anthem.

A West Tripura district administration official stated that the government has allocated Rs 7.50 lakh for this year's Durga Puja at the royal temple, consistent with funding from previous years.

During the five-day festival at Durgabari, a young buffalo, several goats, and pigeons are sacrificed in the presence of thousands of devotees—all at government expense.

Historian and author Panna Lal Roy mentioned that Tripura is the only state in India where the state government, regardless of political affiliation, provides financial support for Hindu Puja.

Roy, who has written extensively about the royal era and princely dynasty, noted that this tradition has persisted since Tripura's merger with the Indian Union 76 years ago.

“Following the 517-year reign of 1,355 kings, on October 15, 1949, Tripura came under Indian administrative control through a merger agreement signed by Kanchan Prabha Devi, the then regent Maharani, and the Indian Governor General,” Roy, a former official in Tripura's Information and Cultural Affairs Department, explained to IANS.

The merger agreement mandated the Tripura government to continue funding temples managed by the Hindu princely rulers, a practice that continues even 78 years post-India's Independence. A dedicated division—Public Place of Worship or Debarchan Vibhag—operates under district magistrates in four of Tripura's eight districts, overseeing the expenses of over 16 temples, including Durgabari.

Historian Roy emphasized: “The Durga Puja at Durgabari temple is distinctive as the 'prasad (holy offering)' includes meat, fish, eggs, liquor, and fruits.”

Although over 3,000 community and more than 100 family Durga Pujas occur in Tripura, including 775 in the West Tripura district, the Durgabari temple's Durga Puja remains the primary attraction for numerous reasons, including its centuries-old customs preserved by both the royal family and the government.

Traditional and customary themes, contemporary issues like climate change, and historical events continue to shape the thematic decorations in puja pandals across the state.

(Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortyne@gmail.com)