Introduction:
Kharchi Puja is a famous festival in the Indian state of Tripura. The festival is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha Ashtami (eighth lunar day) of the month of Ashad, which normally falls in July. The ceremony, which takes place in Agartala, features the worship of the fourteen gods that make up the Tripuri people’s dynasty deity. Kharchi Puja Festival is one of Tripura’s most important festivals. It is a week-long royal Puja that takes place on the eighth day of the new moon in July, and it attracts thousands of people. This event is conducted in Agartala on the temple grounds of the Fourteen Gods (Puran Agartala). This Puja is associated with various stories. Tens of thousands of people go to the temple grounds for the week-long celebrations.
Origin, History and Mythology of Kharchi Puja
The five natural elements, including Bhudevi, are invoked and worshipped as Gods in the Hindu religion. Kharchi is derived from Khya, which means “Mother Earth.” It is also formed from ‘Khar’ for sin and ‘Chi’ for purification. It ultimately implies cleaning the kingdom’s people of their sins. This festival is dedicated to purifying the mother Earth and honouring the Goddess Earth and thirteen other deities. The Kharchi Puja festival has tribal roots that date back over 5000 years to the old maharajas when it was exclusively a Royal ceremonial. Even the non-tribal populace is now celebrating and participating in the colourful celebrations.
The primary purpose of the Kharchi puja Festival is to cleanse the mother Earth after her menstrual cycle ritualistically and to adore the Goddess. This is due to the notion that the feminine cycle of mother earth, known as Ama Pechi, begins at this period, beginning on Shulka Paksha Ashtami, the eighth lunar day. They used to wash the Goddess by transporting her from the temple in ancient Agartala to the Saidra river. After the rite, the deity is returned to the temple and reinstalled.
Rituals
The rituals associated with the Kharchi puja last for seven days. On puja day, the idols of the 14 deities are brought from the temple grounds in Agartala to the sacred Saidra river. They are taken back to the temple after a dip in the river. Following the ceremonial washing, the idols are adorned with flowers and vermillion paste on their brows.
Kharchi Puja 2021 Celebration Highlights
Kharchi Puja 2021 was celebrated on 17 July, 2021. As usual, all ceremonies were performed, but with proper social distancing as of covid 19 protocol, the assembly of worshippers was substantially smaller than in previous years. Furthermore, the yearly fair was not held this year.
The royal priest, known as Chantai, performs the Kharchi Puja 15 days after the Ama Pechi or Ambu Bachi. The Kharchi Puja Festival lasts seven days, during which time the whole state of Tripura joins together in a joyful spirit. During this time, all agricultural activities such as ploughing and harvesting are halted. A tremendously popular fair is conducted as part of the festival week, with hundreds of booths displaying handmade goods for sale from local artisans. A vast stage has been put up to present diverse cultural events from tribals and non-tribals from around the state. Tripura is well-known for its bamboo crafts, shawls, and textiles. Memorable keepsakes may be brought back with you when you return.
Every day, following a pooja, Prasada is served to the deities throughout the full 7-day period. Animal sacrifice is still practised as part of the rites. People pray for their families and the community’s well-being.
Essay on Kharchi Puja
Tripura’s Kharchi Puja is a major celebration. Kharchi Puja is a week-long celebration in which 14 gods are honoured. The term ‘khya’ means ‘earth,’ hence the ceremony is known as earth worship. The main celebration is held at the Chaturdasha Devta temple in Agartala, the state capital. People assemble for a seven-day celebration called Kharchi Puja to revere and pray to Mother Earth for the survival of humanity by using her vast natural resources.
Kharchi Puja is the worship of the Tripuri dynasty gods. It is held on the eighth day of the new moon in July and August. Only Tripuri pujari or priests perform this Puja. ‘Khar’ or Kharta implies sin, whereas ‘chi’ or si means cleanliness. Sins of the people or kingdom are purified in this sense. This is followed by 15 days of Ama pechi or Ambu bachi.
In Tripuri mythology, Ama Pechi is the mother goddess’s menstruation. So no ground is being ploughed or dug today. Tripuri considers menstruation wicked; hence, all-female auspicious chores are disallowed during this period. An unmarried priest cannot perform any auspicious or holy rite. So the soil is unclean after mother earth’s menstruation during Ama pechi. The kharchi Puja is performed to purify the earth mother’s menstruation. So it’s done seven days in a row. The seven-day Kharchi puja is held in fourteen gods’ Old Agartala temple grounds. On puja day, the chantai members carry the fourteen idols to the river Saidra, wash them with holy water, and return them to the temple. They are returned to the temple, decked with flowers and vermilion on the deities’ foreheads. Every day, many individuals, Tripuri and non-Tripuri, attend the festivities. People offer goat, buffalo, chicken, sweets, and other Prasad. Many cultural events now take place at night. On that day, a big fair is planned. People care about their well-being and the well-being of society and the state.
Conclusion:
Kharchi Puja is another means to demonstrate respect and confidence for the Earth God. We cannot thank Mother Earth enough for her kindness from day one, no matter how hard we try. This Puja is one of the most important festivals in Tripura. It is celebrated for seven days in a row and is even regarded as a regal festival. It is celebrated every year on the eighth day of the new moon in July. Though Kharchi puja 2021 was celebrated with few restrictions, all rituals were followed religiously by the priests.
The event is largely held in a temple in Agartala that houses the idols of fourteen gods. Several tales linked with Kharchi Pooja draw thousands of devotees from around the state.