Agartala: April 04: On Friday, devotees gathered in large numbers at Agartala’s centuries-old Durga Bari temple to celebrate Maha Saptami of Basanti Puja, an annual festival dedicated to Goddess Durga. With deep devotion, worshippers participated in traditional rituals that have been passed down through generations, marking the significance of this ancient festival, which has its roots in royal patronage.
Basanti Puja, which coincides with the final days of the Ram Navami period, follows similar rituals to Durga Puja, including elaborate offerings, prayers, and cultural performances. The Durga Bari temple, an architectural relic of Tripura’s royal past, served as the focal point of the celebrations. The former royal sword of the Tripura kingdom is still revered as a symbol of the Manikya dynasty and continues to be worshipped for the welfare of the state.
Temple priest Jayanta Bhattacharjee shared that Basanti Puja has been a royal tradition at Durga Bari for the last 150 years, conducted for the well-being of the people and the state. A unique feature of the puja at Durga Bari is the idol of Goddess Basanti, which, unlike the traditional ten-armed depiction of Durga, has only two visible arms. This custom traces back to an incident involving a queen from the Manikya dynasty, who, frightened by a ten-armed idol, ordered that subsequent idols be crafted with only two arms.
As the celebrations continued, the temple premises remained vibrant with religious ceremonies and community gatherings, showcasing the deep-rooted spiritual and cultural essence of the festival. Basanti Puja, considered the original form of Durga Puja, continues to be observed with reverence in Tripura, particularly during the Bengali month of Chaitra, highlighting the enduring legacy of the region’s rich cultural heritage.
