Ashoka Ashtami Festival in Tripura

Ashokastami Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Tripura and is celebrated in the entire state with pomp and glory. Since the main population of Tripura is Hinduism, the deities and pattern of worship are also very much akin to the Hindu style. But still, one can find numerous other tribal people in Tripura. Perhaps this is why Tripura is also known as the laboratory of exotic cultural synthesis. This festival of Tripura reflects the beauty of culture and brings vibrancy to the atmosphere.

The tribal people mainly worship gods and Goddesses in their animistic form. It is in harmony with their sacred book, known as the Ochai. Huge gathering or Mela during the carnival time brings in the impression of Cultural Intermingling, where every caste and creed of men are equally welcome and made to enjoy the warmth and charm of the fete to the fullest extent.

Description of the Ashokastami Festival:

Ashokastami Festival is mainly associated with the sacred dip in the holy river. In the consecrated river of the Ashtami Kunda, the devotees take a bath, which is considered to bring blessings to God. At Unakoti, this dipping is a sacred festival, and people almost perform this with heartfelt devotion. We also worship the Lord with heartfelt devotion because we all know that “The dimension of depth in the consciousness of religion creates the tension between what is and what ought to be. It bends the bow from which every arrow of moral action flies.”

Unakoti is the prominent place where the devotees gather during the celebration of Shiva Ratri, Makar Sankranti, and Ashokastami Festival to have a soak in the sacred Ashtami Kunda.

Time of celebration of the Ashokastami Festival:

The Ashokastami Festival is also reputed as the Ashokastami Fair. This is usually celebrated in March and April according to the moon’s movement, also known as Tithi. It is held every year with magnificence and extravaganza.