Chaturdasha Temple – Agartala
Chaturdasha Temple is
located near old Agartala of Tripura State.
The Chaudda Devata Mandir
is the popular name for the temple. The fourteen gods revered at the
Chaturdasha Temple Tripura are referred to in Kokborok as Burasa, Lampra,
Bikhatra, Akhatra, Thumnairok, Sangroma, Bonirok, Twima, Songram, Mwtaikotor,
Mailuma, Noksumwtai, Swkalmwtai, and Khuluma. These gods and goddesses are the
regional representations of the Hindu gods and goddesses Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva,
Durga, Lakshmi, Kartikeya, Saraswati, Ganesha, Samudra, Prithvi, Agni, Ganga,
Himadri, and Kamadeva.
The temple consists of a
Nat Mandapa and Garbhagriha. The top of the dome is crowned with Kalasa
(pitcher) including Pataka (flag). The deities are worshipped in the form of
heads only i.e. none of the idols have any trunk with hands and legs. The
formations of the idols start from the shoulder upwards up to the crowns that
sit on the top of their heads.
As per legend and the
description in the royal chronicles regarding Chaturdasha temple history, King Tripur was killed by Lord Shiva because of his irreligious acts and conduct.
Harabati, the widow of Tripur, had gone to bathe in the river when she saw the
fourteen Gods being chased by a wild buffalo and taking refuge in a cotton
tree. Harbati helped the gods to kill the wild buffalo and save themselves. The
fourteen gods and goddesses were so pleased with Harabati that they came to
stay in the royal palace at Udaipur and were worshipped there. The sacrifice of
a wild buffalo at the Kharchi festival has come down as a tradition since then.
The city of Udaipur fell to Muslim invaders under the command of Samser Gaji.
The Muslim invaders occupied the city and the Tripuri king had to shift his
capital to Agartala on the banks of the river Haora. It is said that when King
Krishna Manikya Debbarma set up a new capital at Agartala after leaving his
original capital Udaipur behind, the gods and goddesses also wanted to leave
the place and come with him to his new adobe. The king took their request to
heart brought them to Agartala and installed them at the newly built
temple.
Timings
8.00 am to 12.00 noon
How to reach the Temple
12 km from Agartala
Railway Station
8 km from Agartala Airport.
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