Two-armed Goddess, Timeless rituals: Inside Durga Bari's unique Puja

With the festive spirit sweeping across Tripura, the historic Durga Bari temple in Agartala—an enduring symbol of royal heritage, is being adorned with fresh grandeur.

As the five- day festivity unfolds, the temple courtyard buzzes with final preparations, blending centuries-old rituals with modern elegance. From dazzling lights to intricate idol decorations, every corner of the temple reflects devotion, craftsmanship, and cultural pride.

Amid this vibrant transformation, we spoke with Sapna Acharjee, the artisan responsible for adorning the idol of Goddess Durga and Jayanta Bhattacharjee, the temple’s head priest, to understand the depth of tradition and craftsmanship behind this iconic celebration.

Q: What makes this year's Puja at Durga Bari temple special?

Sapna Acharjee: The temple is glowing with vibrant lighting and fresh decorations. We’re blending tradition with a touch of modern elegance. The idol’s ornamentation is being done with handcrafted pieces, just like every year. It’s a labour of love and devotion.

Q: Tell us about your family’s connection to this temple.

Sapna Acharjee: My grandfather began this work, followed by my father until 2008. Now, I carry the legacy forward. My in-laws are from Teliamura, Joynagar village near Ramkrishna Ashram under Ward No 11. My husband is Sukumar Acharjee but my roots are in Agartala. Every year, I come prepared with all the ornaments and decorative elements made by our own hands.

Serving the deity is a matter of divine fortune, though we do receive an honorarium for our work each year.

Q: Durga Bari temple holds a unique place in Tripura’s cultural and religious landscape. What makes it so special?

Priest Jayanta Bhattacharjee: Durga Bari is not just a temple—it’s a living legacy of the Manikya dynasty. Established in 1838 by Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya Bahadur, it has been a centre of devotion and tradition for centuries. The temple hosts Durga Puja twice a year— Basanti Puja in Bengali month of 'Chaitra' and Sharadiya Puja in 'Ashwin'. Both are celebrated with deep reverence and royal customs.

Q: The idol here is quite different from the conventional ten-armed depiction of Goddess Durga. Can you tell us about that?

Jayanta Bhattacharjee: Yes, our idol has only two visible arms. This tradition began when Maharani Sulakshana Devi fainted upon seeing the ten-armed form of the Goddess. That night, she had a divine vision instructing that the Devi be worshipped in a gentler, two-armed form. The royal family honored this vision, and since then, the idol has remained unchanged. The Goddess still has ten arms, but eight are latent—invisible to the eye but spiritually present.

Q: How does the temple maintain its royal traditions in today’s time?

Jayanta Bhattacharjee: The rituals are conducted with strict adherence to age-old customs. The Government of Tripura continues to sponsor the puja, as mandated by the 1949 merger agreement. This includes financial support and oversight. The temple is one of 14 mentioned in the agreement, and the royal family still plays a ceremonial role in the celebrations. A full-fledged division 'Debarchan Vibhag' (Worship Wing) of the West Tripura District Administration bears this responsibility and the entire expenditure of the temple, is met by the government. The DM, who is called ‘Sebayet’, is the main organiser of Durga Bari puja.

Q: What changes have occurred in recent years, especially regarding rituals like animal sacrifice?

Jayanta Bhattacharjee: Until 2018, animal sacrifices were part of the puja— young buffalo, goats, and pigeons were offered. However, in 2019, the Tripura High Court banned animal sacrifice in the temple. A division bench of the high court comprising then Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Arindam Lodh in a landmark judgement ordered that no person including the state government shall be allowed to sacrifice any animal or bird within the precincts of any of the temples in the state of Tripura.

It was a significant shift, and while the decision evoked mixed reactions, we have adapted respectfully.

Q: What role did your father, Dulal Bhattacharjee, play in shaping the temple’s legacy?

Jayanta Bhattacharjee: My father served as the head priest for over 67 years. He was deeply committed to the temple and its traditions. He received a modest honorarium of Rs 830 from the state government, but his dedication was priceless. I feel honoured to carry forward his legacy.

Q: How is the temple preparing for this year’s Sharadiya Durga Puja?

Jayanta Bhattacharjee: Preparations are in full swing. With Maha Sasthi approaching, the temple is being decorated beautifully. Thousands of devotees will gather for 'Bodhan', Pushpanjali, and other rituals. Like other years, the government has sanctioned a generous amount this year too, and we’re ensuring everything is ready to welcome the Goddess and her devotees. It is on the final day of Dashami that the real splendour of the festival unfolds. The idols of Durgabari lead the Dashami procession and are the first to be immersed at Dashamighat with full state honours and the state police band playing the national song.

Q: What message would you like to share with the people of Tripura and beyond?

Jayanta Bhattacharjee: Durga Bari is a symbol of faith, heritage, and unity. I invite everyone to witness this unique celebration, where history and devotion come together. May Maa Durga bless us all with strength, peace, and prosperity.