By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 06, 2026
Agartala, July 6 (FD) The week-long Kharchi Puja, one of Tripura's most revered religious festivals, will begin on July 22 at the historic temple of the Fourteen Deities (Chaturdasha Devata) in Khayerpur, with Chief Minister Manik Saha set to inaugurate the annual festival and fair.
The inaugural ceremony will also be attended by Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, local legislators, and other dignitaries.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Kharchi Puja Fair Committee President and Khayerpur MLA Ratan Chakraborty announced that this year's festival will be organised under the theme "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", promoting environmental conservation alongside the religious celebrations.
As part of the initiative, the organising committee will distribute 1,000 saplings daily among devotees visiting the temple throughout the seven-day festival, encouraging public participation in tree plantation and environmental awareness.
Chakraborty said the cultural segment of the festival will feature performances by nearly 1,100 artistes from Tripura, West Bengal, and various northeastern states. A series of cultural programmes showcasing the region's rich heritage and traditions will be held every evening during the festival.
The organisers expect lakhs of devotees from within and outside the state to visit the shrine during the week-long celebration. The accompanying fair is also expected to witness participation from thousands of traders, offering a wide range of products and local handicrafts.
Several government departments will set up exhibition stalls to showcase their developmental activities, flagship schemes, and public welfare initiatives, providing visitors with information on various government programmes.
In an effort to boost religious tourism, the organising committee has planned an extensive promotional campaign across the country. Publicity materials highlighting the significance of Kharchi Puja will be displayed at major railway stations and airports to attract more visitors to Tripura.
Celebrated annually with great religious fervour, Kharchi Puja is among Tripura's most significant traditional festivals. Besides its spiritual importance, the festival serves as a major catalyst for tourism, local commerce, and cultural exchange, drawing thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. FD JK