Agartala, August 4: Tripura’s centuries-old Ker Puja, one of the state’s most significant traditional and tantric rituals, is being observed with religious fervour at the Royal Palace premises in Agartala. The two-and-a-half-day festival began on Monday night and will conclude on Wednesday morning with the lifting of ritual restrictions.
Unlike many Hindu festivals, Ker Puja has no idol. Instead, a large green bamboo is specially bent and arranged to symbolically represent Ker, the guardian deity believed to protect the kingdom, its people and the land from epidemics, natural disasters, evil forces and other misfortunes.
The ritual is held every year seven days after Kharchi Puja, following a tradition that dates back to Tripura’s royal era. Priests explained that the worship has been performed since the time of the Maharajas for the well-being, peace and prosperity of the state and its people. According to another priest, the ritual has been conducted at the present location for nearly 500 years, while the tradition itself is even older and has continued wherever the royal palace was situated.
A unique feature of Ker Puja is the strict observance of a ritual boundary, created using bamboo around the designated sacred area. Once the boundary is established, no one is allowed to enter or leave the area until the completion of the ceremony. Priests said the rule has been followed for generations and is an essential part of the tantric tradition associated with the festival.
The priests also described Ker Puja as a tantric ritual dedicated to the guardian deity and closely linked with the worship of the Fourteen Deities (Chaturdasha Devata). While the Fourteen Gods are worshipped during the week-long Kharchi Puja, Ker Puja continues the tradition through a separate two-and-a-half-day observance focused on seeking divine protection for the state.
Following Tripura’s merger with the Indian Union on October 15, 1949, the state government has continued the royal tradition by officially patronising Ker Puja and bearing all expenses, in accordance with the agreement reached with the then Queen Mother.
The sacred restrictions will remain in force until Wednesday morning, when the ceremonial boundary will be removed, marking the conclusion of this unique and historic festival.
