Agartala: Garia Puja is being celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety across Tripura.
Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday inaugurated a grand two-day celebration in the capital city, Agartala.
As part of the Garia Puja, primarily celebrated by the Tripuri community, a bamboo pole symbolising Lord Garia is worshipped with flowers, and a chicken is also ritually sacrificed.
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha took to his social media handle to congratulate the people and wrote, “Wishing all the people of the state all the best on the occasion of the holy Garia Puja. I wish everyone prosperity from Baba Garia.”
Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu said, “It gives me immense pleasure to convey my warm greetings and best wishes to the people of Tripura on the auspicious occasion of ‘Garia Puja’ Festival.”
“It is one of the major festivals of Tripura, celebrated in the month of April and on the 7th day of Boishakh. The Lord Garia, the deity of livestock and wealth, is considered to be the benevolent spirit of a household. It symbolises devotion and prosperity. May this festival bring joy, happiness, love and brotherhood amongst the people of Tripura,” he added.
Deeply rooted in tradition and observed for generations since the time of the kings, the Baba Garia Festival holds immense cultural and spiritual significance, particularly for the Kokborok-speaking tribal communities of the state.
The festival is also a platform for showcasing Tripura’s rich cultural heritage through traditional dances, music, and display of indigenous crafts.
Tripura Minister Shukla Charan Noatia said, “The Baba Garia festival is being celebrated at the state level for the first time, through a joint effort by the Government of Tripura, the Information & Cultural Affairs Department, and the Travel Welfare Department.”
ALSO READ: Tripura’s Gomati district, Ganganagar block honoured with PM Excellence Award 2024
He further added, “Although we celebrated it last year as well, it was not on the same scale as this year’s event. This two-day celebration has commenced in the capital city of Tripura, Agartala, with an inauguration led by our Chief Minister.”
