Agartala (Tripura), July 3, 2025: The seven-day-long Kharchi Puja and Mela (fair) at Old Agartala started today amidst traditional religious fervor and enthusiasm. The Mela, held on the occasion of the Kharchi Puja, fosters an atmosphere of peace, harmony, and brotherhood while facilitating the exchange of art and culture.
The Kharchi festival is not merely a religious ritual; it is a remarkable testament to Tripura’s ancient history, traditions, and cultural unity, weaving a harmonious bond in the hearts of its people for centuries. The Chaturdasha Devata Temple stands as a radiant symbol of Tripura’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
According to the temple’s chief priest, known as the Chantai, the fourteen deities worshipped during the seven-day Kharchi Puja include Shiva, Uma, Hari, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Brahma, Prithvi (Earth), Samudra (Ocean), Ganga, Agni (Fire), Kamadeva, and Himadri. Among them, Hari (Shiva) holds the primary position. Shiva, Uma, and Hari are worshipped daily at the temple.
Historical records recount that Tripura’s King Krishna Kishore Manikya, facing repeated Mughal invasions, decided to shift the capital from Udaipur. His attention turned to the present-day Khayerpur area, where he established a new royal palace, or Habeli, and founded a new capital, now known as Old Agartala or Old Habeli.
In this new capital, the king established the Chaturdasha Devata Temple. Even after the capital was later moved to present-day Agartala, the Fourteen Deities remained enshrined in Old Agartala. Over time, the Kharchi Puja has transcended its historical roots to become a cherished festival, deeply embedded in the soul of Tripura’s people.
Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, Minister Sushanta Chowdhury and other dignitaries were present during the inauguration of the Kharchi festival and mela at the Krishnamala Open Stage in the Chaturdasha Devata Temple premises at Khayerpur, Old Agartala. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP National president JP Nadda and others extended best wishes to people of Tripura on Kharchi Puja.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Kharchi Puja symbolizes happiness, prosperity, and consciousness. The Chaturdasha Devata (Fourteen Deities) are the ancestral deities of Tripura’s royal family and are revered by the state’s tribal communities. Over time, the festival has become a universal celebration, embraced by both tribal and non-tribal communities.
Dr Saha highlighted the state government’s efforts to preserve endangered art forms and cultural traditions. He announced that the government is working to establish a cultural hub in Tripura and has organized large-scale festivals for traditional performing arts like Jatra and theater to sustain these art forms. Over the past year, the government has supported over 500 cultural programs to promote and preserve the state’s heritage.
The Chief Minister expressed concern over the declining tradition of puppet dance in Tripura, urging collective efforts to revive it.
He called on the people of Tripura, alongside the government, to safeguard the unique cultural identities of both tribal and non-tribal communities.
To support tribal cultural preservation, the state budget has allocated Rs 3 crore for organizing cultural workshops.
Besides, with the collaboration of the Satyajit Ray Film Institute, various courses have been introduced to nurture the state’s talent.
The event also featured speeches by MLA and Kharchi Mela Committee Chairman Ratan Chakraborty and Secretary of the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Pradeep Kumar Chakraborty.
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The mela premises hosted exhibition stalls from various government departments, which the Chief Minister inaugurated and inspected. Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury attended as a distinguished guest, alongside MLA Swapna Debbarma, Old Agartala Panchayat Samiti Chairman Jharnarani Das, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar, Jirania Sub-Divisional Magistrate Animesh Dhar, and other dignitaries.
Throughout the seven-day festival, cultural programs organized by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department will be held at the Krishnamala Open Stage and Habeli Stage, enriching the festive spirit of the Kharchi Mela.
