Tripura Prepares For Weeklong Kharchi Puja At Chaturdash Devata Mandir

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA: Preparations are going on in full swing to make the weeklong Kharchi Puja at Chaturdash Devata Mandir of Old Agartala a success. The celebrations will begin from July 10.

Chaturdas Devata is a family deity of the Maharajas of Tripura. Since the merger of the State with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949 the State government is maintaining the temple. Though the princely days are gone still all practices of the royal days are followed in observing the festival as well as performing the daily puja.

The first meeting of the Mela Preparatory Committee held at Gitabitan Hall at Dalura of Khayarpur was presided over by the chairman of the committee and local MLA Ratan Chakraborty. MLA Susanta Choudhury, MLA Dhirendra Debbarma, Mayor of Agartala Prafullajit Sinha and many others were present. The meeting decided to invite Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to inaugurate the festival; where the newly elected MP Pratima Bhaumik also will remain present as the special guest. Chairman of the mela committee Ratan Chakraborty will preside over the inaugural programme.

The meeting discussed in detail the preparation and decided that cultural programmes will be organized at three places -- Krishnamala Mancha, Haveli Mancha and also at Palli Mangal school playground. Artistes from other northeastern States also will participate on the occasion.

The meeting also discussed about security matters and decided to deploy adequate number of security personnel in addition to setting up of CCTV and other surveillance systems. Every year, thousands of people gather to offer puja to Chaturdas Devata as well as to enjoy the festival which continues round the clock for seven days.

Also Read: Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb inaugurates ‘Kharchi Puja’