Agartala, July 5 (TIWN): Amid tight security, 7-day long traditional Kharchi Puja began this morning and it would continue till July 11 at the iconic Chaturdasha Devta temple premises in Khayerpur, outskirts of Agartala. To mark the occasion a large fair would also organized on the occasion at the temple premises from today.

The Chief Secretary S K Panda inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp at Krishnamala Mancha while the secretary of Tourism Department- Ashutosh Jindal graced the dais as chief guest. The secretary of Information and Cultural Affairs Department- Santanu Das and District Magistrate (West) - Abhishek Singh attended the inaugural ceremony as guest of honour while the Director of Information and Cultural Affairs Department- U K Chakma remained present as special guest.

Thousands of devotees gathered in the temple premises right from the morning to witness the opening of Kharchi Puja festival. Prior to that the fourteen deities Hara, Uma, Hari, Maa, Bani, Kumar, Ganesh, Brahma, Prithi, Ganga, Abdi, Kamesh and Himadri were taken to the bank of River Howrah for holy bath. The priests have also performed ‘Jari Puja’ yesterday. A large number of goats were sacrificed on the occasion at the iconic temple, this morning.

During the festival, all the fourteen deities will be worshiped by the royal priest ‘Chantai’. The devotees will pray for welfare, peace and prosperity for their family and society.

During the inaugural ceremony, all the guests have delivered their essential speeches by explaining the tradition of Kharchi Puja. To ensure the security during the festival, tight security has been deployed in the concern area by the administration.