AGARTALA, June 28 (TIWN): Chief Minister Biplab Deb has greeted the state on auspicious Kharchi Puja.

He said, this year due to OCVID-19 Kharchi could not be celebrated but he prayed to God to relieve the world from COVID-19 so that people can enter into normal lives.

7 days long Kharchi puja has been started in Tripura’s Chaturdash Devta temple on Sunday.

This year although due to lockdown, the fair is restricted but the puja and each ritual was observed with full devotion.

“Kharchi” puja, an ancient Hindu festival in Tripura started on July 7 at Old Agartala or Puratan Agartala.

Like every year, the festival involves the worship of the fourteen gods forming the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people. Kharchi Puja is one of the most popular festivals in Tripura. 

All the deities have names in Kokborok, the Tripura’s mothertongue Kokborok language. It is observed on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami day in Ashad Month.

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