Ker Puja and Garia Puja are traditional tribal festivals of which state?

Ker Puja and Garia Puja are important traditional festivals of the tribal communities of Tripura, such as the Tripuri (Debbarma), Reang and Jamatia peoples. They are closely linked with the old royal traditions of the state and with the worship of traditional deities.

Garia Puja is celebrated in April, after the Chaitra Sankranti, at the time of the Bengali and Tripuri New Year. It is dedicated to Garia, a deity worshipped for the welfare of the community, for prosperity, good crops and healthy children and livestock. A bamboo pole representing the deity is set up and worshipped, and offerings are made. The celebrations include singing and dancing, especially the Garia dance, in which men and women dance in a circle to the beat of drums and flutes, praying for a good harvest.

Ker Puja is held about two weeks after the Kharchi Puja, usually in July-August. Ker is the guardian deity of the Vastu Devata, who is believed to protect the land and the people from harm and calamity. During the puja, a boundary is marked around the area of worship, and no one is allowed to enter or leave the area during the ritual. Ker Puja was traditionally performed under the patronage of the royal family of Tripura.

The Kharchi Puja, held in July at Agartala, is the most famous festival of Tripura. It involves the worship of 14 deities and lasts for seven days. Tripura was ruled for centuries by the Manikya dynasty, and it became part of India in 1949.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Mizoram is known for Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut and Pawl Kut.
• ✗Manipur is known for Lai Haraoba, Yaoshang and Cheiraoba.
• ✗Meghalaya is known for Wangala, Nongkrem and Shad Suk Mynsiem.