The temple of the chaturdash debta

Agartala, April 22: Some say the temple of the chaturdash debta (14 idols) sprang from a mythical queen?s dream.

Historians disagree, tracing the origin of the temple to 1760, established close to the royal temple at old Agartala or ?Puran Haveli? after the capital was shifted from Udaipur (now in South Tripura) during the reign of King Krishna Manikya.

Revered by the people of the state, worshipped by tribals and Hindus annually during Kharchi festival in August, the 250-year-old temple is now threatened by erosion and flooding by the river Hawrah on the southern side.

?Last year, we worshipped the deities during Kharchi puja standing in chest-deep water,? said the Raj Chantai or head priest, Narendra Deb, who lives close to the temple.

He said even a smart pre-monsoon shower in March and April flooded the sanctum sanctorum.

Kalipada Rudrapal, a resident of nearby Noabadi village and a small trader, said filling-up of lowlands around the temple and silt in the river Hawrah are mainly responsible for this. ?The grounds around the temple are being filled up in an unscientific manner. The silt in the river is also responsible for the flash floods.?

The local people have already met the district magistrate of West Tripura, J.K. Sinha, urging him to take steps to prevent flooding of the temple. ?So far nothing has been done. If the government does not do anything quickly, then not only will the historical temple be destroyed but a lot of lives will be affected,? Rudrapal said.

During the past three decades, the local people have been making a quick buck when they open shops around the temple complex as thousands of pilgrims and artisans descend for Kharchi puja.

?If the temple ceases to exist, the villagers will be in a spot as they depend on it for their livlihood,? said Kashinath Das, an artisan and a resident of nearby Champamura village.

Sources in the district magistrate?s office said the government was working on the steps to save the temple and work will begin soon.

?We are very serious about saving this historical temple and no effort will be spared to preserve it,? said the source at the district magistrate?s office.