In the small hill state of Tripura, there are thirteen Parvans in 12 months. One of the traditional main festivals of Tripura is Kharchi Puja. And Kharchi Puja means a gathering of lakhs of people irrespective of caste and religion in the Chudda Debata temple located in Khayarpur of old Agartala. In 1760 AD Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya started worshiping the Chudda Debata in the old haveli. According to the special ritual, on the Shukla Ashtami Tithi of Bengali Ashar month, these 14 Gods and Goddesses, Shiva, Durga, Hari, Lakshmi, Bagdevi, Kartika, Ganesha, Brahma, pratavi, Sea, Ganges, Agni, Kamdev and Himadri, are worshiped together. People from all walks of life participate in this Kharchi Puja regardless of caste, religion and caste. Many people come from different parts of the state and outside the state to participate in this puja.
It is to be noted that the 7-day long traditional Kharchi Puja and Mela is going to start from June 26. In view of this puja and fair, various rituals are starting from Thursday, June 22 as per custom. The temple of the Chaturdas debata is being decorated on the occasion. Preparations are in full swing.
Meanwhile, Ratan Chakraborty, former speaker and current MLA of the state, is working day and night to make this traditional festival of the state beautiful and successful.