Ker Puja is a festival of immense significance to the people of Tripura

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 fosters a shared sense of belongingness and communal harmony among the people.

Here are the key aspects of Ker Puja:

1. Origins and Tradition:

•     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.
•     The Halam tribe, originally of Kuki lineage who later merged with the Tripuris, also began observing this festival.

2. Symbolism and Rituals:

•     The term "Ker" literally means a "specified area" or "boundary" in the local Kokborok language.
•     During Ker Puja, a large piece of bamboo is bent to symbolize the image of the Ker Deity, which is central to the ceremonial proceedings.
•     A particular area is then demarcated and bounded by large strands of green bamboo, representing the symbolic "Ker".
•     Strict rules govern the performance of rituals during Ker Puja:
  •         Outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering the specified premises during the puja, which lasts for roughly two and a half days.
  •         Families facing emergencies like birth or death must pay a fine to go beyond the prescribed boundary.
  •         The elderly, ailing, and expectant mothers are relocated to nearby villages to avoid breaching the sanctity of the festival.
  •         Fines may escalate based on the severity of the breach.

3. Austere Rituals:

•     Ceremonies related to Ker puja start early in the morning.
•     Devotees are informed about the specific timings of the rituals.
•     During the puja, devotees must refrain from screaming, shouting, using vulgar language, indulging in recreation, loud laughter, dishonesty, or any immoral activity.
•     Breaching the directives requires starting the entire ritual afresh, with the person responsible bearing the cost as a fine.
•     Ker puja is considered one of the most austere rituals in the world.

4. Purpose and Beliefs:

•     Ker puja is believed to ward off evil spirits that might otherwise haunt the locals in the form of crop failure, epidemics, floods, or natural disasters.