Tripura CM inaugurates traditional 'Kharchi' puja

Agartala, Jul 3 (PTI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the weeklong 'Kharchi' puja at Chaturdash Devta temple in Khayerpur.

'Kharchi' Puja is one of the important festivals of the northeastern state which involves worship of 14 deities, known as the Chaturdasha Devata. The weeklong festival is associated with cleansing the earth after a period of impurity.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda wished the people of Tripura on the occasion of Kharchi puja.

"Best wishes to our sisters and brothers of Tripura on Kharchi Puja. May this religious festival deepen our bond with Mother Earth and bring happiness and prosperity to everyone's life," Shah posted on X.

Nadda also posted on X, "On the auspicious occasion of Kharchi Puja, I extend my heartfelt wishes to all the brothers and sisters of Tripura. May this festival bring good fortune, happiness and prosperity into everyone's lives. Have a joyful and blessed Kharchi puja".

Speaking after inaugurating the puja, the chief minister said the government wants to preserve and enrich the tradition and culture of all the 19 tribes of the state.

"Tripura is a land of mixed populated where tribal and non-tribal people are living in the northeastern state with mutual trust and understanding. The Kharchi puja, once a festival for the tribal, has become a festival for all. The government is trying to preserve and enrich the tradition and culture of the people, he said.

The Information and Cultural Affairs (ICA) department has organised around 500 cultural and religious programmes in the past one year, Saha said, adding the setting up of a cultural hub is in the pipeline as the DoNER has sanctioned Rs 32.50 crore for this purpose.

Saha said Rs 3 crore has been earmarked in the state's budget to preserve and promote old music instruments of the different tribes of the state.

The chief minister said the government has taken steps to develop infrastructure of Chaturdash Devta temple, which was established by Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya in 1780.

Tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury and MLA Ratan Chakraborty were present at the inaugural programme. PTI PS RG