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Tripura’s Ker Puja
The old royal house of the Manikya dynasty in Tripura. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ker puja is usually observed fourteen days after the end of Kharchi Puja (the worship of the fourteen dynasty deities) by the Tripuri people. Although there is no documented evidence of the origins of this puja, it is widely believed that the erstwhile Manikya kings of Tripura initiated the Ker puja in the province in the 15th century.
The Tripura rajas conducted this puja for the welfare of the common people. In those days, the celebrations of this puja among the Tripuri people commenced only after the royal family had organized it within the precincts of the royal palace. Other than the Tripuri people, the Halam tribe, originally of Kuki lineage who later on merged with the Tripuris, also began observing this festival. Today, Ker puja is celebrated by the Tripuris across the state, where they worship Ker Devata, the guardian deity of Vastu, according to their tribal beliefs and practices.
The boundaries for Ker Puja being set up. Image Source: Karthik Panigrahi
‘Ker’ literally means a ‘specified area’ or ‘boundary’ in the local Kokborok language. A large piece of bamboo is bent to symbolise the image of the Ker Deity, which is central to the ceremonial proceedings. Following this, a particular area is demarcated and bounded by large strands of green bamboo, which becomes the symbolic representation of Ker. Strict rules govern the performance of rituals. Outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering into the specified premises during the course of the puja that lasts for roughly two and a half days. Families facing emergencies like birth or death too have to pay a fine to go beyond the prescribed boundary. To avoid such situations the elderly, ailing and expectant mothers are relocated to nearby villages. Sometimes the fines incurred may escalate based on the severity of the breach. These rules are believed to uphold the sanctity of the festival and ensure the welfare of the locals.
Ongoing preparations for the Ker Puja outside the Ujjayanta Palace. Image Source: Karthik Panigrahi
The ceremonies related to Ker puja usually start early in the morning. Before the commencement of the puja, people are repeatedly informed about the specific timings of the rituals. Once the rituals have begun, it is forbidden for the devotees to scream, shout, use vulgar language, indulge in any kind of recreation or amusement, loud laughter, dishonesty or engage in any form of immoral activity. In case a person breaches the directives of the puja, the entire ritual has to be started afresh and the said person must bear its cost in the form of a fine. It is because of all these rules and regulations that Ker puja is considered to be one of the most austere rituals in the world.
It is popularly believed that the Ker puja helps ward off evil spirits that might otherwise haunt the locals in the form of crop failure, epidemic, flood, or any natural disaster. Thus, the Tripuris make substantial offerings and sacrifices to the deity out of deep reverence. Such offerings also emphasize communal unity and prosperity. Prayers are chanted for securing the well-being of all the devotees. The 'Chantai' or the head priest of the Tripuri people is the paramount figure who oversees the ritual practices in the capital city of Agartala. At the village level, the ‘Ochai’ or the head priest of the village, is responsible for performing the rituals.
Maharani Kanchan Prabha Devi, the regent queen who signed the agreement of transfer of expenses of all pujas and temples that earlier had the patronage of the royal household to the Tripura state government in 1949. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons.
In 1949, the state government of Tripura undertook the responsibility of organizing Ker puja on behalf of the royal family. Such a transition led to the government of Tripura assuming all the expenses for the rituals, which was as per an agreement reached between the state and the royal family. The Ker Puja is a festival of immense significance to the people of Tripura. It symbolizes the deep bond between the human and natural worlds and also fosters a shared sense of belongingness and communal harmony among the people.
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