21 April 2024
Tripura Regional holiday | Sunday |
Garia Puja is a regional festival of the northeastern state of Tripura. It is celebrated on the seventh of the month of Vaisakha. The festival continues for the seven days with the last day given as a regional holiday.
In this celebration, a bamboo pole that symbolizes the Lord Garia, the deity of livestock and wealth, is worshipped with flowers and garland in Tripura. The main ingredients used in this worship known as Garia Puja are cotton thread, rice, riccha, fowl chick, rice beer, wine, earthen pots, eggs and wine. According to the age-old tradition, during this worship, a fowl is sacrificed before the deity and the blood of the fowl is strewn before the Lord to get his blessing.
A great carnival is organised in order to celebrate this pious time in Tripura. The performance in the Garia Carnival is according to Ochai traditions. During this festival, no one is allowed to cross the shadow of the symbolic god Garia, in fear of making him annoyed and facing his anger. During the Garia Festival, the children play the drums, sing and dance before the Lord Garia to please him. Agartala, the capital of Tripura witnessed many such celebrations on Garia Puja. A great carnival is organised and the traditional Garia dance is performed by the local tribes and people of Tripura.
It is one of the most important festivals according to traditions and people celebrate it with great vigour. It promotes prosperity, wealth and brotherhood among all. Many people from across the world come to witness this carnival and celeberations of Garia Puja in Tripura.