Ker and Garia Pujas: Ker and Garia Pujas are traditional tribal festivals of Tripura. Ker is celebrated two weeks after Kharchi Puja. The guardian deity of Vastu Devata is Ker the literal meaning of which is boundary or specified area. A large piece of bamboo when curved and twisted in a particular fashion takes the image of Ker. It is believed that in the ancient times, rulers used to perform this Puja for the general wellbeing of the people of the state. There are two age old beliefs which lie behind the ritualistic incantation of a specified boundary for the Ker Puja. The first one is to protect the interest of the people from any calamities, diseases, misfortunes and destitution. The other is to protect people against any external aggression. Offering and sacrifices constitute an important aspect of Ker Puja.
Garia Puja is held on the seventh day of the month of Baisakh (April). This is another important community festival for the tribals of the Tripura. In his puja Kalia and Garia, he two deities of the tribals are worshiped. The celebration starts from the last day of Chaitra. The Puja is held to seek blessings from the deities. Sacrifice of cocks is an important feature of the Puja. Another important feature of this festival is dancing and rejoicing after the Puja. The Garia dance is very popular among the Tripuris and the Reangs. These dances which are symbolic of the worship of the deities and the socio-economic activities of the households also represent hunting, fishing, food-gathering and various other activities.
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