Seeking to project Tripura’s rich cultural heritage on the international stage and strengthen its tourism potential, Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Friday inaugurated the colourful ‘Mayer Gomon 2026’ or Durga Carnival in Agartala, describing the event as a celebration of the state’s royal legacy, cultural diversity and spirit of communal harmony.
The carnival began in front of Maharani Tulsibati Higher Secondary Girls’ School, a historic location associated with the traditional immersion procession during the erstwhile royal era. More than 50 clubs participated in the grand event, presenting the vibrancy of Durga Puja celebrations through elaborate tableaux, artistic displays and colourful processions.
The programme witnessed the presence of several distinguished international and national dignitaries, including Brad Kroeger, Senior Adviser to the United States Ambassador to India; Maxim Kozlov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Kolkata; and Hasan Al Bashar Abul Ulayee, Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh. A Joint Secretary of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Vice-Chancellor of the Satyajit Ray Film Institute and around a dozen other invited guests from different parts of the country also attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Manik Saha said Mayer Gomon had evolved beyond a traditional idol immersion procession to become a major cultural platform reflecting Tripura’s royal heritage, social unity and inclusive traditions.
He recalled that during the royal period, immersion processions used to begin from the historic site in front of Maharani Tulsibati Girls’ School. The present-day carnival, he said, preserves that legacy while incorporating modern arrangements, creative presentations and improved lighting and sound systems.
Although the scale and technology of the celebrations have changed over time, the devotion, enthusiasm and spontaneous participation of the people remain at the heart of the festival, the Chief Minister observed. He added that the event had quickly emerged as one of the state’s prominent annual cultural attractions.
Saha further stated that Durga Puja was no longer confined to religious observance but had acquired a universal appeal, bringing together people from different communities and backgrounds. In Tripura, participation by people from both tribal and non-tribal communities reflects the state’s tradition of harmony and mutual respect, he said, calling for collective efforts to strengthen the vision of ‘Ek Tripura, Shreshtha Tripura’.
Highlighting the significance of the international presence at this year’s carnival, the Chief Minister said representatives from different countries had arrived in Agartala to witness the celebrations and idol immersion procession. He expressed hope that their visit would help introduce Tripura’s natural beauty, cultural traditions and warm hospitality to a wider international audience, while opening up new avenues for tourism and cultural exchange.
Referring to the recent business summit held at Hapania, Saha said investment opportunities in Tripura’s industrial and tourism sectors were expanding. He noted that investors from abroad had also expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in these sectors. According to him, cultural initiatives such as Mayer Gomon could complement the state’s investment promotion efforts by increasing its visibility and attracting more visitors.
The Chief Minister also highlighted improvements in the state’s law-and-order situation since 2018, stating that peace, stability and public confidence had contributed to the growing scale of festivals and greater participation by people.
He said the increasing number of puja celebrations and the enthusiasm surrounding them reflected positive changes in the state’s social and economic life.
Emphasising the importance of combining tradition with modern presentation, Saha said the government was committed to preserving Tripura’s cultural identity while creating opportunities for tourism-led development.
The immersion procession was scheduled to proceed from Maharani Tulsibati Higher Secondary Girls’ School via Jackson Gate, Post Office Chowmuhani, Paradise Chowmuhani and Battala before reaching Dashamighat. Arrangements were also made for live broadcasting so that people in Tripura and other parts of the country could watch the celebrations.
Saha appreciated the coordinated efforts of the state administration, Agartala Municipal Corporation, police, security forces, the Information and Cultural Affairs Department and disaster management teams for ensuring the smooth conduct of the festivities.
Calling for continued efforts to preserve the state’s traditions while expanding such cultural initiatives, the Chief Minister urged people to work together towards the vision of ‘Ek Tripura, Shreshtha Tripura’ and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
