AGARTALA, Feb 15 (TIWN): Holding back the tradition of the once princely state, priests in Tripura on Monday celebrated the age old Ganga puja festival in worship of the holy river Ganga, which is revered as divine by millions of Hindus in India and worldwide.

Members of tribal communities gathered by the river Howrah and traditionally peeled off three pieces of bamboo into beautiful flowers. Then they created a temple made of bamboo sticks in the middle of the river. A group of tribal priests performed the rituals and offered prayers for the well being of the society.

Ganga puja is celebrated every year in February-March, after the observation of Navanna, the festival of new rice. The tradition had been gradually losing ground, but the state authorities have now come forward to support the local residents and religious-minded to celebrate the auspicious festival.

As a part of the celebration of the Ganga puja, animal sacrifice was also given.  However, the rituals were observed under strict security arrangements.

It is to be mentioned here that the ritual was one of the most important rituals observed every year by the king of royal palace.

Ganga is observed as a divine river in not only India but also amongst the most sacred rivers across the world. This truth is universal and is believed by all Indians and also by famous scholars of the world. It is worshiped like a Goddess and it is believed that it was the tenth day of Jyeshta bright half when she was descended on earth from heaven.

The day is celebrated as Ganga Dussehra. On this day, after a lot of hard work and penance of Bhagirath, a Suryavanshi king, got success to bring down the river to earth. Since then, every year the occasion of Ganga Dussehra is celebrated by performing several rites and rituals of Ganga pooja to commemorate her.