Chaturdasha Temple, Agartala – The Temple

Chaturdasha Temple, Agartala – The Temple

The temple follows Bengal Aatchaalaa architecture. The dome architecture around the temple reminds the traces of Buddhist culture.  This temple was built in honour of fourteen deities, together called the Chaturdasha Devata. The fourteen deities worshipped at the Chaturdasha temple Tripura are called Burasa, Lampra, Bikhatra, Akhatra, Thumnairok, Sangroma, Bonirok, Twima, Songram, Mwtaikotor, Mailuma, Noksumwtai, Swkalmwtai and Khuluma in Kokborok. These deities are the local forms of Hindu gods and goddesses namely Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, Kartikeya, Saraswathi, Ganesha, Samudra, Prithvi, Agni, Ganga, Himadri and Kamadeva.

The idols were originally tribal but were later inducted into Hindu customs. The typical characteristics of the idols that distinguish them from other temples are their form that signifies tribal influence. 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. The idols are made of alloy except one which is made of silver. This idol is of Lord Shiva. The fourteen deities were originally worshipped by the royal family of Tripura.

The custom of worshipping only these fourteen gods and goddesses have been prevalent for a long time, and there is no other God that the people of this region worship. It is this reason there are no other shrines in the vicinity of this temple. They all have equal stature as far as the worship at the temple is concerned and are worshipped with equal reverence and together during the festivals. These deities are ceremoniously worshipped during Kharchi Puja. There is a lake beside the temple and overall it is a very beautiful place.