Agartala, Nov 8 (PTI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday inaugurated a three-day Diwali festival at Maa Tripura Sundari temple, one of the ancient shrines in the country, at Udaipur in Gomati district.
Around eight to 10 lakh devotees are expected to visit the 525-year-old temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, to seek divine blessings.
Addressing the programme, the chief minister said the footfall of devotees has increased manyfold after Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year inaugurated the redeveloped temple, built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501.
“Maa Tripura Sundari temple is not just a structure for the devotees across the world. It is a symbol of faith and belief in the Hindu goddess. The three-day festival has become one of the biggest religious events in the entire Northeast,” he said.
Saha said the festival at Maa Tripura Sundari temple brings amity among the people of the northeastern state as devotees across the religious communities joined the festivity.
“Maa Tripura Sundari temple is also transforming the local economy with the increasing footfall of devotees. Many people have got livelihood opportunities centring the temple,” he said.
Local MLA Abhishek Debroy highlighted the future plan for Maa Tripura Sundari temple.
“A massive renovation of Kalyan Sagar (a water body on the temple compound) will be initiated for Rs 21 crore, and a multi-level car parking is planned near the temple with a cost of Rs 21 crore. We are also contemplating constructing a corridor for better access to the temple,” he said.
Gomati District Magistrate Rinku Lather stated that a team of priests from Kashi performed Ganga Aarti at Kalyan Sagar to mark the grand opening of the three-day festival. A drone show was also conducted near the temple. PTI PS NN
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