The sacred Saptami Puja of the Basanti festival was observed with great devotion on Wednesday at the historic Durga Bari temple in Agartala, marking the second day of the five-day spring celebration. The temple परिसर came alive from the early hours as devotees gathered in large numbers to offer prayers and witness the traditional rituals.
The atmosphere was filled with spiritual fervour, as the rhythmic chants of mantras, the blowing of conch shells, and the fragrance of incense created a deeply devotional ambiance. Priests conducted the Saptami rituals with precision, strictly following age-old customs and traditions that have been preserved over generations.
Basanti Puja, also known as Chaitra Durga Puja, holds a special place in Hindu religious practices, particularly in Tripura. Unlike the widely celebrated Durga Puja in autumn, Basanti Puja is considered the original form of worship dedicated to Goddess Durga during the spring season, in the month of Chaitra. Its origins are rooted in the Markandeya Purana, where King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi are believed to have first invoked the Goddess during this time.
In Tripura, the festival was formally introduced by the Manikya Dynasty over 150 years ago. Since then, Durga Bari temple, located in the heart of Agartala, has remained the epicentre of Basanti Puja celebrations. The temple committee continues to uphold the royal legacy by ensuring that each ritual is performed with utmost care and authenticity.
The five-day festival spans from Sasthi to Dashami, with each day carrying its own religious significance. Devotees actively participate in the rituals of Saptami, Ashtami, Navami, and Dashami, along with offerings and cultural programmes that add to the festive spirit.
For 2026, Basanti Puja commenced on March 24 (Sasthi) and will conclude on March 28 (Dashami). Following the grand observance of Saptami, the upcoming Ashtami and Navami rituals are expected to draw even larger crowds, before the festival concludes with Dashami, when devotees bid a ceremonial farewell to Goddess Durga, praying for peace, prosperity, and well-being.
