'Kharchi Puja', in which 14 deities are worshipped over a 7-day period, is celebrated in which state?

Kharchi Puja is the most famous festival of Tripura. It is held every year in July, at the Chaturdasha Devata temple (the temple of the 14 deities) at Khayerpur, in Old Agartala, and it lasts for seven days. Lakhs of people of all communities, tribal and non-tribal, attend the festival.

The name "Kharchi" is usually explained as coming from Kokborok words linked with the earth and its cleansing. The festival is believed to purify the Earth (Mother Earth) after the Ambubachi period, when, according to tradition, the Earth is believed to be menstruating, and to cleanse the sins of the people.

The festival is dedicated to the 14 deities (Chaturdasha Devata), who were the family deities of the Tripuri kings. They include Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, Ganesh, Brahma, Prithvi (the Earth), Ganga, Agni, Kamadeva, Himadri and the sea (Abdhi). Only the heads of the deities are worshipped. On the first day, the images of the deities are carried by members of the royal priests' family to the river Haora (Saidra), where they are bathed in the holy water, and then brought back to the temple. The rituals are performed by the Chantai, the chief priest, who belongs to the tribal Tripuri community. The festival combines tribal and Hindu traditions and is a symbol of the harmony between the communities of Tripura. A large fair is held near the temple.

About two weeks after Kharchi Puja, the Ker Puja is held to honour Ker, the guardian deity of the Vastu Devata. Garia Puja is another important tribal festival of Tripura.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Assam celebrates the Ambubachi Mela at the Kamakhya temple and Bihu.
• ✗Manipur celebrates Lai Haraoba and Yaoshang.
• ✗Mizoram celebrates Chapchar Kut and Pawl Kut.