Agartala, June 25: A festive spirit is in the air as week-long Kharchi Puja, one of the biggest festivals in Tripura, is set to commence at Chaturdash Devata Temple, Khayerpur from Monday.

As per the rituals, Snan Yatra of 14 deities- Hara, Uma, Hari, Maa, Bani, Kumar, Ganesh, Brahma, Prithi, Ganga, Abdi, Kamesh and Himadri was held on Sunday amid enthusiasm of hundreds of people followed by a colourful procession. 

MLA Ratan Chakraborty, who is chairman of the Kharchi Puja and Mela organizing committee, led the procession.

Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha will officially inaugurate the week-long festival in the presence Tourism minister Sushanta Chowdhury, Janjati Welfare minister Bikash Debbarma, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumder and others at 11 am on Monday. 

The administration has already put necessary arrangements including strong security cover in place to avoid untoward incident during the seven-day festival.

The word ‘Kharchi’ is derived from two Tripuri words 'Khar' or Kharta meaning Sin, 'chi' or si meaning cleaning. Final meaning is cleaning of the sins of the people or the kingdom.

According to Tripura royal family's chronicle 'Rajmala', Queen Hiravati once went to take a bath in the river Maharani and noticed a wild buffalo chasing the 14 gods. With the help of the queen's cloth, the gods managed to kill the beast. Happy with Hirabati's help, the gods visited the palace and the royal family offered puja by sacrificing wild buffaloes. 

Originally a Hindu tribals’ festivity, it is now observed by all communities and religions. A good number of devotees from across the country visit the temple and offer prayers to 14 goddess for the well-being.