The centuries-old Kharchi Puja commenced on Wednesday, 22 July at Puran Habeli — the former capital of the erstwhile princely state of Tripura, now called Khayerpur, roughly 8 km north of Agartala — marking the start of one of the Northeast India's most distinctive religious festivals. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, accompanied by senior dignitaries, formally inaugurated the seven-day fair and worship of 14 deities simultaneously, an arrangement found in few other Hindu traditions in the country.

Green Theme at the Heart of This Year's Festival

This edition of Kharchi Puja carries the environmental theme 'Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam' (A Tree in Mother's Name), with saplings of various species to be distributed free of cost to all visitors across the seven-day fair through a government-backed initiative. Kharchi Puja and Mela Committee Chairman Ratan Chakraborty, a former Minister and former Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, said the objective is to build a greener Tripura alongside the spiritual celebrations.

Chakraborty expressed hope that, weather permitting, attendance this year would surpass that of previous editions. He did, however, note that the prevailing situation in neighbouring Bangladesh is likely to reduce cross-border visitors compared to earlier years.

The 14 Deities and Unique Ritual Traditions

At the core of Kharchi Puja is the simultaneous worship of 14 deities: Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesha, Brahma, Abadhi (God of Water), Chandra, Ganga, Agni, Kamdev and Himadri (the Himalayas). A defining feature that sets this festival apart from most Hindu worship traditions is that all fourteen deities are represented solely by their sacred heads rather than full-bodied idols.

Animal sacrifice forms an integral part of the rituals. The week-long festival opens with a ceremonial procession in which the deity idols are brought out, accompanied by the Tripura Police band. Police personnel escort the deities and priests, and a formal guard of honour is presented to the Chief Royal Priest, popularly known as the Raj Chantaia — a practice that underscores the festival's deep royal lineage.

Historical Roots: From Royal Patronage to State Obligation

For more than 78 years, until 1838, Puran Habeli served as the capital of the undivided kingdom of Tripura, whose territory then encompassed large parts of present-day Sylhet, Brahmanbaria and Comilla districts of Bangladesh. King Krishna Manikya Bahadur (1760–1783) relocated the capital from Udaipur in southern Tripura to Puran Habeli in 1760, constructing the temple of the 14 deities during his reign. In 1838, King Krishna Kishore Manikya Bahadur (1830–1849) shifted the capital to Agartala, which has remained the state capital since.

On 15 October 1949, Tripura merged with the Government of India under an agreement signed between the then Regent Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi and the Governor-General of India. That merger agreement made it mandatory for the Tripura government to continue sponsoring 14 temples and their associated ceremonies, including Kharchi Puja and the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple — one of the country's 51 Shakti Peethas. The state government has honoured this obligation for several decades since.

A Festival of Communal Harmony

Originally rooted in the indigenous Tripuri community, Kharchi Puja has evolved over generations into a celebration that draws people of all communities, castes, tribes and religions. Chief Minister Saha said in his greeting message that the festival has long symbolised communal harmony, goodwill, unity and social integration, and has earned special recognition across the Northeastern region.

Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu described Kharchi Puja as one of the state's most popular festivals and expressed hope that it would bring joy, peace, prosperity and a spirit of brotherhood. Lakhs of devotees and tourists from across the country are expected to participate in the week-long celebrations, which are marked by colourful marquees, decorative illumination, Vedic chanting and the rhythmic beats of traditional drums.

As the seven-day festival unfolds, all eyes will be on whether this year's green-themed initiative translates into measurable sapling distribution — and whether the festival's cross-community appeal holds strong despite reduced cross-border participation.