Khagrachhari, Chittagong Hill Tracts, APR 13 (V7N)– The Tripura community in Khagrachhari has commenced its significant 'Baisoo' festival with the observance of 'Hari Baisoo', marked by traditional rituals and a deep reverence for the sacred 'Devta Pukur', or 'God Pond', located high in the hills.

"To mark the beginning of the Baisoo festival of the Tripura community in Khagrachhari with the festival of Hari Baisoo, men and women of the Tripura community have built a 'god pond' on the Khagrachhari hills," reported Biplob Talukder, Khagrachhari Correspondent.

The Tripura people hold a strong belief that this pond was divinely created as a blessing for the local community, and they believe that bathing in its waters can fulfill one's wishes. Situated at an altitude of 1,000 feet, approximately 11 kilometers from Khagrachhari city, the pond becomes a site for a pilgrimage fair every year during the Baisakhi season.

"The Tripura people believe that the gods themselves have created this pond as a blessing for the local people. According to them, bathing in this pond fulfills one's desires. This pond is located on a hill at an altitude of 1,000 feet, 11 kilometers from Khagrachhari city. Every year, a pilgrimage fair is held here during Baisakhi," Talukder detailed.

Reaching the Devta Pukur involves a scenic one-kilometer mountain trek from Nunchhari village. The pond, surrounded by lush green forests, offers a sense of tranquility to the pilgrims who visit its clear, still waters.

"The Devta Pond is located on the top of the hill, a one-kilometer mountain path from Nunchhari village. The clear, still water of this pond brings peace to the minds of pilgrims," the report noted.

Measuring approximately 1,500 feet in length and 600 feet in average width, the Devta Pukur has evolved into a significant pilgrimage destination for the local Tripura population. During Chaitra Sankranti (the end of the Bengali month of Chaitra), a large pilgrimage fair takes place at the pond, where the Tripura people perform traditional Yagya rituals according to Tantric practices.

"The length of the Devta Pukur, surrounded by green forests, is about 1,500 feet and the average width is about 600 feet. Over time, the 'Devta Pukur' has become a pilgrimage site for the local Tripura people. Every year, during Chaitra Sankranti, a pilgrimage fair is held at the Devta Pukur and the Tripura people perform Yagya Yagya as per Tantric rules," Talukder explained.

In the Tripura language, the pond is also widely known as 'Matai Pukhiri', where 'Matai' signifies 'god' and 'Pukhiri' means 'pond', reflecting its deep spiritual significance. Local legends suggest that the water god himself created the pond to alleviate the thirst of the residents, and remarkably, the pond's water level never recedes. The hill people consider its water a divine blessing, believed to be protected by the gods, with a hidden treasure at its depths. Annually, on Chaitra Sankranti, thousands of people from various communities, not just the Tripura, visit this sacred site.

"Due to its location in the densely populated area of ​​Tripura, it is better known as 'Matai Pukhiri' in the Tripura language. Matai means 'god' and Pukhiri means 'pond'... It is said that the water god himself dug this pond to quench the thirst of the local residents. The water in the pond never dries up. The local hill people consider the water in the pond to be the blessing of the god... Every year on Chaitra Sankranti, thousands of women, men and children from different communities, besides the people of Tripura, come to visit the pond," the report detailed.

The first day of the Tripura community's major social festival, 'Hari Baisoo', is marked by unique traditions. Early in the morning, a competition to collect flowers from trees takes place. A portion of these collected flowers is used to decorate homes, while another portion is offered as homage in temples and holy places through the lighting of flowers, incense, and lamps. In the evening, people light lamps and offer prayers to the Creator, seeking happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being for the nation, society, country, and the world.

"The first day of the big social festival of the Tripura community, 'Hari Baisoo', is being celebrated in Khagrachhari. Earlier, a competition to collect flowers from trees begins in the early morning. Houses are decorated with a portion of these flowers and another portion is used to pay homage by lighting flowers, incense and lamps in temples and holy places. In the evening, people light lamps and pray to the Creator for happiness, peace, prosperity and well-being of the nation, society, country and the world," Talukder reported.

The 'Baisoo' festival unfolds over three days for the Tripura community. The first day is 'Hari Baisoo', the second day is known as 'Baisuma' or 'Baisukama', and the third and final day is 'Bisikatala'.

"The first day of one of the main festivals of the Tripura people is called Hari Baisoo, the second day is called Baisuma/Baisukama, and the third or last day is called Bisikatala," the report concluded.

The commencement of the 'Baisoo' festival with its deep-rooted traditions and reverence for the 'God Pond' highlights the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the Tripura community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

END/BVT/RH/