With just two months to go, festive excitement is gradually sweeping across Tripura as preparations for Durga Puja commence in full swing. In Agartala, where lakhs of people turn out each year for pandal hopping, community clubs have started Khuti Puja, a traditional ceremony that marks the official beginning of pandal construction.
Several puja committees have already unveiled their themes for this year, setting the stage for a diverse and creative celebration.
One of the early clubs to announce its concept is Aikatan Juba Sanstha from Shantipara, which has chosen to recreate a Buddhist temple from Myanmar. The theme aims to captivate visitors with detailed artistry and cultural elements rooted in Southeast Asian tradition.
Meanwhile, Tushaar Sangha of Chandrapur is taking a socially aware approach. Deeply concerned about the growing issue of mobile phone addiction among children, the club is using this year’s Durga Puja platform to promote awareness around the importance of reducing screen time. A representative shared, “Our club has been organising Puja for over six decades. Children today are so attached to gadgets that they’re missing out on the joy of a real childhood. Through our theme, we want to send a message to parents.”
In addition to Durga Puja preparations, Tripura is also preparing for a series of other festivals, including Ganesh Chaturthi, Manasa Puja (later this month), and Deepavali, which will mark the festive season’s grand finale in October.
The Agartala Municipal Corporation estimates that over 20 lakh people visit pandals throughout the four-day Durga Puja celebration, especially during Chaturthi and Panchami, just before the implementation of traffic curbs.