AGARTALA, July 17 (TIWN): Thousands of devotees thronged on the sixth day at the premises of the Chaturdash Devata temple on the fifth day at 'Puran Agartala', about seven km from here, to offer puja as the week-long 'Kharchi festival', considered the biggest fest of Tripura which began from July 12.

State Urban Development Minister Manik Dey, who hails from the area, inaugurated the festival by lighting lamp in the presence of Deputy Speaker of the Tripura Assembly and other dignitaries.

Adequate security measures were taken with the deployment of state police and Tripura State Rifles. CCTV cameras were also installed to keep close surveillance.

All the expenses of the puja are borne by the government as it was an agreement with the government of India during the merger of the princely state of Tripura in 1949.

Kharchi Puja is a weeklong festival. The rituals are conducted by tribal priests and the main priest is called ‘Chantai.’

Kharchi Puja  is observed at the Chaturdas Devata Temple at Old Agartala or Purana Haveli in Tripura. Kharchi Puja 2016 date is July 12. The highlight of the festival is the bathing ritual of 14 deities worshiped at the temple

The main feature of this festival in Tripura is that, whether the festival is basically tribal or not, all people regardless tribal and non-tribal join the festival in a joyous mood and become part and parcel of it.

Therefore, the festival authorities are taking extra precautions to make sure every devotee that comes to take part in the festival spend their days peacefully and calmly. Preparations to provide round the clock services such as food, shelter and water are under full swing.

As day by day the rushes of the devotees are increasing, to ensure convenient movement of the devotees, the roads are renovated for the smooth movement of the pedestrians and the vehicles.  Water drainage system has also been developed in the temple premises area, including the roads and office building region.