AGARTALA, July 11 (TIWN): Traditional Kharchi Puja has begun with Festive temperament at Old Agartala, Khayerpur.

On Monday evening the deities were taken to bath, in Howrah River.

Old Agartala already designed with lights, decoration for ‘Kharchi -2016'. The Chaturdash Devta Temple at Khayerpur is almost set to inaugurate Kharchi-2016 on Tuesday.

Kharchi puja, which is a 7-day-long festival of tribals but during Kharchi puja tribals/ non-tribals thronged to Chaturdash Devta Temple at Old Agartala.

The auspicious occasion is performed in July–August, it involves the worship of the dynasty deity of Tripuri people, the fourteen gods.

The word Kharchi is derived from two Tripuri words 'Khar' or Kharta meaning Sin, 'chi' or si meaning cleaning. It means cleaning of the sins of the people or the kingdom.

The Khachi puja is performed after 15 days after Ambu bachi. The deities are originally tribal and were later adapted into the Hindu fold. All the deities have names in Kok-barok, the tribal language. It is observed on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami day in Ashad Month.

 It is also decided that this year the number of the stalls will also be increased.  

In this regard preparation on peak for the 7 day long Kharchi puja which to be begin on  Tuesday/ July 12. With the joint initiatives of the Block and Fair Committee, drinking water tanks will be installed to facilitate the devotees.

  Planning for cultural programme are also on peak in this regard.

 Kharchi Puja is a weeklong festival. The rituals are conducted by tribal priests and the main priest is called ‘Chantai.’

The main feature of this festival in Tripura is that, whether the festival is basically tribal or not, all people regardless tribal and non-tribal join the festival in a joyous mood and become part and parcel of it.