In Agartala, the heart of Tripura, the vibrant Durga Puja celebrations kicked off at the historic Durgabari temple, drawing crowds from across India and even neighboring Bangladesh. This 149-year-old festival, launched by the region’s former kings, gets full backing from the state government—no matter who’s in power—making it a one-of-a-kind tradition in India.
Devotees gathered on Sunday for the “Bodhan” ritual, marking the welcoming of Goddess Durga’s idols and the start of five days of worship. The temple sits right in front of the stunning Ujjayanta Palace, a grand two-story mansion built between 1899 and 1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya. Spanning a full square kilometer, the palace once served as the royal headquarters. After Tripura joined India in 1949, it housed the state assembly until 2011, when it transformed into one of eastern India’s largest museums. Today, it highlights the rich history, daily life, and cultures of the eight northeastern states.
Head priest Jayanta Bhattacharjee, whose family has led the rituals for over six generations, shared some fascinating backstory. “The kings of Tripura started Durga Puja more than 500 years ago,” he explained. The royal capital shifted over time—from Udaipur in the south, to Amarpur, then Puran Habeli—before settling in Agartala in 1838 under Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya.
What sets this Durga Puja apart? The West Tripura District Magistrate, known traditionally as the “Sebayet,” oversees everything as the main organizer. Before the festivities begin, the DM submits a written report on preparations to the surviving members of the royal family. They give symbolic approval for every detail, including from elderly royal Bibhu Kumari Devi. Once the five-day event wraps up on Dashami, the DM files a final report. The real magic happens on that last day, with a grand procession of idols heading to Dashamighat for immersion, complete with state honors and the police band playing the national anthem.
The Tripura government continues its long-standing support, allocating Rs 7.50 lakh this year for the Durgabari Puja, just like in previous years. This covers everything, including the ritual sacrifices of a young buffalo, goats, and pigeons in front of thousands of devotees—all at public expense.
Historian and author Panna Lal Roy points out why this stands out. “Tripura is the only Indian state where governments, whether Left or non-Left, have funded Hindu pujas like this for 76 years since merging with India,” he said. The 1949 merger agreement, signed by regent Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi, required the government to keep supporting temples from the princely era. That tradition lives on today through a dedicated division under district magistrates in four districts, footing the bill for over 16 temples, including Durgabari.
Roy also highlighted a unique twist: the prasad, or holy offering, features meat, fish, eggs, liquor, and fruits—blending royal customs with devotion.
While Tripura hosts more than 3,000 community Durga Pujas and over 100 family ones—including 775 in West Tripura alone—the Durgabari event steals the show. Its centuries-old rituals, preserved by the royal family and state, mix with modern themes in pandals across the state. Expect displays tackling climate change, current events, and even historical nods, making the festival both timeless and timely.
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