Kharchi from today, devotees to undergo thermal screening

For the first time in the history of Kharchi Puja—the second largest festival of the state, which predominantly stands for its equal participation of people from both the tribal and non-tribal communities, no fair, would be organized at the Chadturdash Devata temple due to the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequently imposed restrictions.

The fair committee, in order to avert the spread of Covid 19, has decided to organize no public gathering this year in the temple premises.  In addition, people belonging to the age group such as children below 10 years and aged people (more than 65 years of age) had been suggested not to come to the temple so that they were most vulnerable to the contagion.

Speaking exclusively to Tripuraindia, BDO of Old Agartala Block Sudipta Biswas said, “We have arranged thermal screening facility for all the devotees who will enter the temple premises. The CMO West has been approached by us for setting up such a facility as people are expected to visit the temple to offer prayers. The screening facility will stay there for all the seven days”.

Speaking about a chart of guidelines that were to be followed during to the Puja, he said, “Wearing a mask is mandatory for every person willing to enter the temple to join the prayer. Nobody will be allowed to touch the serving priests, no one can offer offerings, and nobody will be allowed to offer flowers or other things that were allowed in previous years. The devotees can go and follow the rituals”.

MLA Ratan Chakraborty said, “This is a very monotonous moment for us because we are unable to organize our festival, the way it should be done. The matter of public safety comes first and thus the rituals of Kharchi will be performed taking all the restrictions into account. Let’s hope next year, the Puja will be organized in a grand manner”.

Meanwhile, the Kharchi Puja is slated to begin from tomorrow morning. The traditional Snan Yatra is performed this evening following the rituals.