AGARTALA, June 11 (TIWN): Kharchi Puja’s preparation is on peak in Tripura, which is observed at the Chaturdas Devata Temple at Old Agartala or Purana Haveli in Tripura. Kharchi Puja 2017 date is July 1. The highlight of the festival is the bathing ritual of 14 deities worshiped at the temple. 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.

The fourteen deities worshipped at the temple are Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswathi, Kartikeya, Ganesha, Earth, Ganga, Agni, Kama, Himavan (lord of mountains) and Varuna (god of ocean). The popular and local names of the Fourteen Gods are Hara, Uma, Hari, Ma, Vani, Kumara, Ganapa, Bidhi, Kha, Abdi, Ganga, Sikhi, Kama and Himadri.

Interestingly, eleven of the deities are brought out only during the Kharchi Puja. Rest of the year they remain behind closed doors.

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

Ker Puja is observed 15-days after Kharchi Puja and it is another important ritual in Tripura.

You can find more details about Kharchi Puja in this article.