Ashokastami festival is a popular festival of Tripura and is celebrated with great vigor. As the majority of Tripura population follows Hinduism, most of the people worship common deities. Hindu style of worship is prevalent. But in spite of this, Tripura has a considerable tribal population who follow their own culture, rituals and customs and these have also gained substantial prominence in the district. This is the reason for which Tripura is known as the laboratory of exotic cultural synthesis.
Massive gathering or Mela throughout the carnival time brings in the impression of Cultural mixture, where every caste and creed of men are equally welcomed and made to enjoy the warmth and charm of the fete to the fullest extent.
Celebration of Ashokastami Festival
Tribal folks of Tripura are mainly animists and follow distinct style of worship. Their beliefs are based on the principles of their sacred book, Ochai. The book also mentions the significance of Ashokastami festival. The festival is accompanied by a huge gathering and cultural intermingling. People belonging to different caste and creed participate in the festival and cherish it with great enthusiasm. Apart from Tripura, this festival is also celebrated in Orissa, West Bengal and a few other north Indian regions.
The festival is mainly associated with the holy dip in the sacred river. During Ashokastami festival, the devotees take bath in the consecrated river of the Astami Kunda. The ritual is believed to bring blessings of God. Celebrations and fairs are organized at several holy places and temples. Unakoti hold in a distinct position in the celebration of this festival as it is considered as an immensely significant and sacred festival at Unakoti, situated in the Kailashahar subdivision of Tripura, and numerous devotees celebrate it with utmost devotion. Aficionados from different regions gather at Unakoti during Ashokastami festival to take a sacred dip in the holy Astami Kunda. Apart from pompous celebrations, special worships are performed for the deities engraved on the hill rocks of Unakoti.
Ashokastami festival is observed in the month of March and April as per the movement of moon, which is also termed as `Tithi`. The tithi actually falls in the month of Chaitra of Hindu calendar, on the eighth day of waxing moon period. Grandeur and extravaganza can be aptly witnessed during the celebration of this festival. Ashokastami festival has gained further significance owing to the warmth and togetherness it imparts among the people.
