By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 21, 2026
Agartala, July 21 (FD) The historic Kharchi Festival, one of Tripura's most significant religious and cultural celebrations, is set to commence tomorrow at the Chaturdash Devata Temple in Old Agartala. Ahead of the official inauguration, the traditional holy bathing ceremony of the 14 deities was performed this evening following centuries-old customs and religious rituals.
The sacred ceremony took place at the ghat of the Howrah River, where the idols of the fourteen deities were ceremonially bathed in accordance with established traditions. The rituals were conducted under the guidance of Chief Priest Durga Manikya Debbarma along with other temple priests, maintaining the spiritual significance of the annual festival.
The holy procession and bathing ceremony witnessed the presence of Kharchi Festival Committee Chairman and MLA Ratan Chakraborty, Old Agartala Panchayat Samiti Chairman Jharna Rani Das, noted social worker Rajesh Bhowmik, and several other distinguished guests. A large number of devotees and local residents enthusiastically participated in the religious procession, reflecting the festival's deep cultural importance in the state.
The seven-day Kharchi Festival will be officially inaugurated tomorrow morning by Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, who will also inaugurate the exhibition stalls set up as part of the celebrations. The inaugural programme will be attended by Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Agartala Municipal Corporation Mayor Dipak Majumder, MLA Swapna Debbarma, Old Agartala Panchayat Samiti Chairman Jharna Rani Das, Information and Cultural Affairs Department Secretary Kiran Gitte, Tourism Department Secretary Uttar Kumar Chakma, West Tripura District Magistrate Dr. Vishal Kumar, and Jirania SDM Animesh Dhar.
The inaugural function will be presided over by MLA Ratan Chakraborty. The week-long festival is expected to attract thousands of devotees and visitors from across Tripura and neighbouring states, showcasing the state's rich religious heritage, cultural traditions, and communal harmony through rituals, exhibitions, and cultural programmes. FD SB