Sacrifices in Ker Puja
Ker puja includes offerings, sacrifices, and a prescribed boundary which both safeguards people from calamities and saves people from external aggression. The puja was initiated by the Tripura rajas. The participation in the puja is required for the Halam tribe. For two and half days during the festival, entrances to the capital are closed, and participants, including the reigning sovereign, are not allowed to wear shoes, light a fire, dance, or sing. Ker Puja is held after a fortnight of Kharchi Puja. It is one of the traditional tribal festivals of Tripura.
Conduction of Ker Puja
The conduction of Ker Puja happens with a large piece of bamboo. It is used to make Ker and in this Ker festival Tripura bamboo is then used by the priest to perform the divine offering. Ker Puja is the strictest divine offerings done by the people because of the association of various beliefs and aspects.
Deities of Ker Puja
The deity of Vastu Devata is "Ker" meaning boundary or a particular area. People believe that the former rulers in the past used to perform this divine offering for the general welfare and well being of the people of the state. The deities of Tripura are worshiped in these divine offerings. Every entrance or exit of the portion is entirely blocked to create a symbol for doing the Ker Puja. Expectant mothers and dying people are shifted to neighbouring villages before starting the Puja.
People of Ker Puja
The people in Ker Puja in the surrounded place are not allowed to go beyond the boundary till divine offering gets finished. If any person enters the boundary by mistake, he is not allowed to move back from the place.
Starting of Ker Puja
Ker Puja starts around 8 am to 10 am in the morning hours. People are not allowed to speak or laugh once the divine offering starts. This divine offering is done to defend the interest of the people from any misfortune, disease and poverty. The other reason is to save people from any external violence. Offering and sacrifices are an important part of Ker divine offering. Dancing and rejoicing is done by the devotees after the divine offering.
