festivals

Agartala’s population is dominated by Hindus. Many age-old Hindu festivals are celebrated majestically in the city every year. These are a delight to witness, and most tourists who visit the city during these festival times get to experience the city’s culture in a deeper perspective. These are indeed an interesting sight to behold:

• Garia Puja – During this festival, people worship a bamboo pole that symbolizes Lord Garia, also known as the deity of livestock and wealth; and offer flowers and rice, rice beer, wine, earthen pots, eggs, fowl chicks and cotton thread garlands.
• Kharchi Mela – An old traditional festival started by the King of Tripura and is celebrated to this day by the locals, where 14 Gods and Goddesses are worshipped in the Chaturdash Devata temple near Agartala. People of Tripura gather here in masses each year during this festival/mela.
• Neer Mahal Water Festival – A festival celebrated in honour of the Neer Mahal palace here, each year in the month of August, when the locals and the state government jointly organise the ‘Neermahal Water Festival’ for three days with programmes like boat race in the Rudrasagar lake where the palace is situated.
• Diwali Mela – A large festive gathering during the festival of Diwali, at Tripura Sundari temple in the city, where goddess Kaali is worshipped by the people.