Agartala, Tripura. June 26 marked the beginning of the Kharchi Puja, the festival of ‘14 Gods’ observed in Tripura every year on the eighth day of the new moon (Purnima). The festival is observed either in the month of July or August, this year the Puja started on June 26 and will last till July 2.
The Puja revolves around Chaturdasha Devata, the ancestral deity of the Tripuri people. These fourteen deities are believed to be the guardians of the state. The event holds immense historical and cultural importance, showcasing the rich heritage and traditions of the region.
The Puja is devoted to the deity of the royal dynasty, Tripura Sundari, also known as Kharchi or Kharcha Baba. This festival takes place 15 days after Ambubachi or Ambupechi. Ambu pechi symbolises the menstruation of the Mother Goddess or Earth Mother as per the Tripuri people.
Notably, on June 26 amid beats of drums and incense people inaugurated day one of the festivities. The event was organised at the fourteen gods temple in Khayerpur.
The priests, dressed in traditional attire, conducted the prayers and performed ancient rituals with utmost devotion and precision. The offerings of fruits, flowers, and other sacred items were made to appease the deities, seeking their blessings for prosperity, harmony, and well-being.
The Kharchi Puja ritual begins with the chanting of mantras, construction of the chaturdasha mandapa followed by procession of fourteen gods and finally cultural performances.
The elderly members of the community share tales of the festival’s historical significance, passing down oral traditions from one generation to another. They emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage and ensuring that the younger generation imbibes the essence of their ancestral rituals.
The fourteen gods and goddesses that constitute the Chaturdasa Devtas are –
1). Hara (Siva) the destroyer, 2). Uma (Parvati) the consort of Siva, 3). Hari (Vishnu) the preserver, 4). Maa (Laksmi) consort of Vishnu; goddess of wealth, 5). Bani (Saraswati) Goddesses of Wisdom, 6). Kumara (Kartika) the commander-in-chief of the Gods, 7). Ganapati (Ganesha) god of success, 8). Bidhi (Brahma) the Creator, 9). Khsaa (the world), 10). Abdhi (the ocean), 11). Ganga (The Sacred River), 12). Sikhi (Agni) the God of Fire, 13). Kaama God of love, 14). Himadri – The Himalayas.
