Tripura Temple Festivals are grandly celebrated all across the state temples and sacred sites. Since, Tripura is enormously dominated by the Hindus culture, the festivals celebrated in the temples of Tripura are quite widespread in eastern India and are rejoiced in the other parts of India as well.
Tripura is a land of exclusive festivals and the Indian festivals celebrated in these temples are closely related to the myths of the ancient Hindu customs. The main features of festivals in Tripura is that, whether a festival descents from tribal genre or not. However, all the people, tribal or non-tribal participate in the Tripura temple festivals. The joyous mood and passionate contribution of the people make the celebrations even livelier.
Of the many Tripura temple festivals, Kharchi Puja is the most important one. During this puja, Tripura temples are decorated at its best with many lights and coloured embellishments, fourteen deities are worshipped together in this festival. Kharchi Puja is celebrated in July at Agartala (Puran Agartala). This weeklong celebration is held in the temple premises and is participated by thousands of people. This Puja is a well-known ritualistic custom of Tripura. The word Kharchi is said to be a distorted form of Khya, which means earth. Kharchi Puja is, therefore the Tripura temple festival, marking the worshipping of the earth that sustains mankind with all her resources. Sacrifice of goats and pigeons are also done at alter of gods. The Fourteen Goddess Temple in Agartala is the main place to attend for the travelers during the famous Karchi Puja.
Among the major celebrated Tripura temple festivals is of course the Durga Puja. Durga Puja is celebrated in temples and community pandals as well. Some other festivals are also important Tripura temple festivals. The Diwali, Dol Jatra, Ashokashtmi, Pous Sankranti, Shiva Ratri and Buddha Jayanti are some regular religious festivities in the Tripura temples. The Garia, Gajan and Ker Ganga festivals of Tripura are also significant tribal festivities held in temples.
During Ashokashtmi, some special carnivals are arranged at Unnakoti`s sacred premises. Ashokastami Festival`s big fair is known as Ashokastami Fair, celebrated each year in March or April. Other Tripura temple festivals are the Rabindra or Nazrul Festival in May that is not necessarily temple oriented, but offerings are made to the commemorated personality. Durga Puja, one of the grand Festivals in Tripura, is the most significant festival of the Bengalis. It is celebrated throughout the state at the time of Dussehra in the month of September or October.
Garia Puja is the tribal`s festival in Tripura and all the local people of the state perform Garia Puja on the seventh day of Bengali Calendar Baisakh for seven days. The devotees assemble in the Tripura temples and go for dancing after the Puja is over. Diwali Festival is one of the most vital Tripura temple festivals. This festival is observed at Tripura Sundari Temple of Udaipur and a majestic colorful fair along the cultural program is rejoiced during the festival.
Pous Sankranti Mela at Tirthamukh of Tripura happens to be one of the most significant Tripura temple festivals. The days of this festival draws the devotees from neighbouring States. Countless number of people and tribal groups come here each year on the event of Uttarayan Sankranti that occurs on 14th January. Pilgrims come here to take a holy splash in the Gomati River that is famous as Tirtha Mukh. The Tripura temple festivals are renowned in the entire east India for their lovely festivities and adjoining fairs that not only include celebration, but also successful trade.
