Karchi –
Moon Festival of Tripura
Monsoon
amazes all and sundry, especially with different hues in the sky. A serene but
mystic landscape charms one while getting wet in drizzling rains or glittering
in moderate sunrays. When the mind tends to escape with the sailing clouds for
relief from summer’s exhaustion, a downpour begins underneath the valleys of
Baramura, Atharamura and Longtharai in Tripura. This time is considered
auspicious to mark the festivity that enthralls the farmers.
The monsoon festivity in Tripura revolves around Kharchi – a seven-day annual festival of both tribal and non-tribals alike in this remote north-eastern part of the country. It coincides with the ‘Shukla Pakhsha,’ the bright fortnight of July. The objective of Kharchi is shrouded in obscurity. But the essence of this religious occasion including rites and rituals is adorned with a unique heritage festival with its universal appeal.
The festival lasts seven days at the sanctum of Chouddya Devator Mandir at Puran Haveli. During this period Puran Haveli, 10 km from Agartala the capital,draws thousandss of people irrespective of caste, community or language. They throng there to pay their reverence to the deity Chouddya Devata.
To popularise this primarily tribal festival as a major tourist attraction the State government in association with the Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture organizes an annual festival there in keeping with the cultural calendar and spirit.
Unlike other tribal religious occasions in which the symbolic images of the local deities are made of bamboo, at Kharchi stone images are displayed. A group of tribal priests conducts the rituals of the worship.
Kharchi symbolises peace and harmony, so essential in Tripura.
No comments:
Post a Comment