Khayerpur, July 3 -- Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha inaugurated the grand Kharchi Mela at Khayerpur today, marking the beginning of the state's second-largest festival after Durga Puja. The week-long celebration, steeped in rich tribal traditions and religious rituals, is expected to draw over 20 lakh devotees and visitors from across India and neighbouring countries.

The Kharchi Festival, dedicated to the worship of 14 deities known as the "Chaturdasha Devata," holds immense cultural and spiritual significance in Tripura. It is celebrated with elaborate rituals, including processions, offerings, and sacred bathing of the deities. This year, the festival has seen participation from people across India, with many monks from Nepal and B...