Centuries-old Kharchi Puja in Tripura has embraced environmental conservation as its central theme this year. Organisers launched the “Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam” campaign alongside the week-long religious festival by distributing free saplings to visitors, blending faith with sustainability in one of the state’s largest annual gatherings.
Key Takeaways
- Kharchi Puja 2026 adopts “Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam“ as its official theme.
- Free saplings are being distributed throughout the seven-day fair.
- The initiative aims to encourage tree plantation across Tripura.
- Lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the historic festival.
- Organisers seek to connect religious traditions with environmental awareness.
Kharchi Puja 2026 blends faith with environmental responsibility
Agartala: The centuries-old Kharchi Puja in Tripura has taken on a green identity this year, with organisers using the state’s biggest traditional festival to spread awareness about environmental conservation.
The week-long celebration, which began on Wednesday at historic Puran Habeli in Khayerpur, around eight kilometres from Agartala, is promoting the nationwide campaign “Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam”. The initiative encourages every individual to plant a tree in honour of their mother, transforming a major religious gathering into a platform for ecological action.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the festival and the accompanying fair, where thousands of devotees gathered on the opening day. Over the next seven days, lakhs of pilgrims and tourists from across India are expected to visit the fairgrounds.
Free saplings for every visitor
Unlike previous editions, this year’s Kharchi Fair offers visitors an opportunity to carry home more than spiritual blessings.
Kharchi Puja and Mela Committee Chairman Ratan Chakraborty said saplings of different species are being distributed free of cost through a government initiative. The objective is to encourage people to plant trees in their homes, villages and neighbourhoods, contributing to a greener Tripura.
According to the organisers, the campaign aims to ensure that every family attending the festival participates in environmental protection by planting at least one tree.
The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to increase green cover and promote sustainable development in the state.
Religious festivals becoming platforms for climate awareness
The organisers believe that festivals provide an ideal opportunity to spread social messages because they attract people from every section of society.
Kharchi Puja, once celebrated mainly by the indigenous Tripuri community, has evolved into one of Tripura’s largest public festivals. Today, people from different religions, communities and ethnic backgrounds participate in the celebrations, making it an effective platform for public awareness campaigns.
By linking environmental protection with religious devotion, the organisers hope the message of tree plantation reaches thousands of households across the state.
Faith, heritage and sustainability
Kharchi Puja is one of Tripura’s oldest religious festivals and is known for the simultaneous worship of 14 deities. Every year, devotees gather at the historic temple in Puran Habeli to offer prayers and participate in elaborate rituals.
The festival is believed to symbolise the purification of human sins and is marked by colourful processions, Vedic chanting, traditional drum performances and cultural programmes.
This year, the addition of the green campaign has introduced a contemporary dimension to the centuries-old celebration without altering its traditional rituals.
The organisers believe environmental stewardship is consistent with the values of Indian culture, where nature has long been regarded as sacred.
Visitors expected from across India
Lakhs of devotees and tourists are expected to attend the week-long fair, which remains one of Tripura’s biggest annual religious events.
Ratan Chakraborty expressed optimism that the overall turnout could surpass last year’s attendance if weather conditions remain favourable throughout the festival.
However, he indicated that the number of visitors from neighbouring Bangladesh may be lower this year due to the prevailing situation across the border.
Despite that concern, organisers expect strong participation from domestic tourists, pilgrims and local residents.
A message beyond the festival
The adoption of “Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam” demonstrates how traditional festivals can contribute to environmental awareness while preserving cultural heritage.
Instead of limiting the celebration to rituals and religious observances, the organisers have added a practical community initiative that encourages people to take home a living reminder of the festival.
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As thousands of saplings are distributed over the next week, the Kharchi Puja aims to leave behind not only memories of devotion and celebration but also a greener landscape across Tripura.
By combining faith with environmental responsibility, the festival offers a model of how age-old traditions can support modern sustainability goals while inspiring collective action for future generations.