West Tripura district General information
LOCATION AND AREA
While Tripura as a whole lies approximately between the north latitude 22 degrees 56' and 24 degrees 32' and between longitude 91 degrees 0' and 92 degrees 20' east, the West Tripura district lies approximately between latitude 23 degrees 16' to 24 degrees 14' north and longitude 91 degrees 09' east to 91 degrees 47' east. The West Tripura District is bounded by Bangladesh in the north and west by North Tripura in the east and by South Tripura in the south. Total area of the district is 3544 sq.kms. The district headquarters is located at Agartala, which is also the capital of the State.
HISTORY
Tripura was a princely State. Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya was the last King. After the death of Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya in May 1947, a council of regency under the leadership of his widowed wife Maharani Kanchanpura Devi took over charge of administration on behalf of the minor prince Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya.
Monarchy came to its end on 9th September 1947. Tripura was taken as a Part-C state administered by Chief Commissioner. Tripura became a Union Territory on 1st November 1956. The Territorial Council was formed on August 15, 1959. The dissolution of Territorial Council and formation of Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers in July 1963 were notable events. Finally Tripura became a full-fledged State in January 1972. The district administration was run by one District Magistrate and Collector upto 31.8.1970. For better attention of problems of land and tenancies, for accelerating the pace of development in this backward area especially in the remote Tribal areas and for bringing the people closer to the administration Tripura was divided into three districts, viz., North Tripura District, West Tripura District and South Tripura District. Three district Magistrates and Collectors were appointed for the three districts from 1-9-1970. While it was one District Union Territory there were 10 sub-divisions. When it became a full-fledged State, the 10 sub-divisions remained the same. The West Tripura district comprises three sub-divisions viz., Khowai, Sadar and Sonamura while North Tripura District is comprises Kailashhar, Dharmanagar and kamalpur and South Tripura District comprises remaining Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia and Sabroom sub-divisions. Out of the six principal hill ranges namely Baramura and part of Athramura fall within the district.
GEOGRAPHY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES
Tripura was known as `Hill Tipperah' and the very much nomenclature is suggestive of its hilly nature of undulating surface made uneven by inter- sparced low hills. A series of hill ranges running north and south divide the territory into broad parallel valleys, consisting of undulating tillas (hillocks) covered with jungle with totuous streane. There are six principal hill ranges in the State increasing in height as one moves west to east (from the sumit of the ranges one has a striking view of the surroundings, a heaving monetary of evergreen landscape). Out of the six principal ranges, Baramura and Deotamura ranges and Atharamura ranges partly fall within West Tripura.
Baramura Deotomura Range : The portion of the above ranges lying in West Tripura District is the Baramura range which is almost 47 km. having the highest peak Saisum Sib (249 mtrs.)
Atharamura Range : This range starts from Amarpur Sub-division of South Tripura District and then enters into the Khowai Sub-division of WEst Tripura and runs along the border of WEst Tripura and North Tripura District. Its highest peak in the West Tripura District is Niungnanwra (481 mtrs.)
It is true that the State as a whole was, in the bygone days, far richer in forest wealth but with the increasing pressure on land through population increase has rendered this rich forest susceptible to decay, through the process of reckless falling of the trees for different reasons like settlement of landuse and jhumes in some cases and for also augmenting the revenue of the erstwhile princely State even since the past great wars. With the increase in population, the pressure on land was intensive and the tall tress of the forest had to give way to the increasing need to settling the refugees who came in exodus to this tiny state as well as for maintaining jhum cycle for the considerable percentage of Tribal who still continues to practice jhum cultivation. Without being scholarly to discuss the extent of ecological imbalances created by such indiscriminate exploitation of forest for immediate reasons, it is very much clear that the State has suffered quite heavily in the forest wealth during the past decade. The experimentation for introduction of rubber plantation, which was found suitable for the soil and climatic condition of the State has also proved to be successful and thus brightened the prospect of this sector which might go a long way in the total economic development of the State as a whole. The total area under rubber plantation has been increased to 3320.77 hectares from the experimental minimum of 5.80 hectares in 1963. The Tripura Forest Development and Plantation Corporation Limited, a public sector enterprise under the State Government have also taken intensive programme of development of rubber plantation in the whole state as well as West Tripura District.
Coffee plantation is another addition in the sector which has attained a coverage of 10183 hectares in 1981 from 2.40 hectares in 1975. Tripura, being a land locked State is having constraint in importing coal for domestic use. The extent of fire-wood supplied from forests is about 177000 cu.m. The supply of firewood from the forest is also a main source of livelihood for the population residing in the interior forest area. The quantity of timber produced from the forest as in 1980-81 is about 37204 cu.m As stated earlier, the details for the district in particular are lacking but the overall picture of the State will reflect the position as obtained in the West Tripura District.
RIVERS, CANALS AND WATERWAYS
The following rivers flow within the West Tripura districts :
Gomati : The Gomati which is the principal river is formed by the confluence of two revultes; Raimas and Sarma. The Raima originates from the Longtharai range and the Sarma from the Atharamura range and the two meet near `Dhuchaibari' in the South Eastern boundary of the South Tripura district and then assuming the name of Gomati Nadi running through gorges upto the Dumbur fall in the Amarpur sub-division. Gomati withh length of 133 kms. ( a bi river) and runs across the Amarpur and Udaipur sub-divisions of south Tripura District and Sonamura sub-division in West Tripura district and then flows towards Bangladesh by the side of Sonamura Town of WEst Tripura District. The tributaries of the Gomnati river on the right bank are Labachhara, Datakchhara, Sarbongchhara, Saugang, Patavgang and Noachhara and on the lift bank are Rambhadhachhara, Ekchhari, Chelagang, Kurmachhara, Maharanichhara and Ranigan. Khowai : Source of the river is the Longtharai range. It is 166 kms. In length and it taken its way almost towards north-western direction upto Teliamura of WEst Tripura district and then towards north till it enters into Bangladesh. Its tributaries on the right bank are Baluchhara, Jeulchhaara, Chamalachhara, Alladiachhara, Baskarachhara, Maharanichhara, Tuirupachhara, Samruchhara and Lalchhara and on the left bank are Gulechhara, Nunachhara, Kakrachhara, Brahmachhara, Sarduchhara, Trishnachhara, Gangraichhara and Solaichhara.
Howrah : It rises from the Baramura range and its tributaries are Dowaigang, Ghoramara and Debda on the right bank and Charupanadi, Dhobatilachhara and Bangeswargang on the left bank. The length of Howrah river is 53 kms. and it flows towards west and enters into Bangladesh by side of Agartala town, the capital of the State. Burigang : It rise from Baramura and flows towards west and ultimately enters into Bangladesh. There are long river valleys extending over a vast area in different sub-divisions formed mostly of deep alluvial deposits with rich fertility excellently suited for the cultivation of paddy jute, oil seeds, spices, fruits and vegetables would be evident from the aforementioned position. The source of all rivers are in Tripura itself. Due to the indiscriminate felling of trees the ecology of Tripur is being affected to a great extent, Human beings and trees belong to the category of living species. There is a gap of feeling which might be attributed to the factors of immediate benefit as the very question of subsistence is involved particularly when the majority of the people in Tripura are below poverty line. Exploitation and not extinction should be the way of life. If that be the case the forest resources which are national wealth should be preserved in such a way that they are exploited and not extinct. Else danger is inherent in expressing their displeasure. The signs of danger, are apparent when we see erosion of soils due to indiscriminate felling of trees. There is uneven rainfall. Water flows merry- go-round. It carries sands which turns into deposits causing heavy damage to fertile lands which are going to be scarce particularly when the population is increasing in geometrical progression.
COMMUNICATIONS
Agartala is connected with Calcutta by the Indian Airlines Services and the Airport is 10 kms. away from the city. The nearest Railway head is Dharmanagar on NOrth-East Railway. Agartala is 200 kms. away from Dharmanagar Rail head. The district headquarters is connected by regular bus services from other two district of the STate and the important cities such as Calcutta, Dharmanagar, Guwahati, Silchar etc.
AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION
The economy of Tripura as a whole is predominantly agrarian and so also is in the case of the district. Agricultural situation of the West Tripura district differs to some extent from that obtained in other two districts in regard to topography soil, extent of rainfall, variation in temperature and humidity which has resulted in difference in cropping pattern also from that of the other two districts. Since the end of Princely regime, agricultural development in the State has been attached with the priority of the highest magnitude to enrich the State with the integrated approach on agricultural development after merging of the state with Union of India. An all out effort has been taken in the Government sector to wean way the tribals. The practice of jhum cultivation who used to practice jhum cultivation. The plain land people also were satisfied to grow single crop preferably paddy without having any knowledge and experience of improved method of cultivation for growing multiple crops. The situation changed after 1950 with the abrupt increase in population due to heavy influx of people from the erstwhile East Pakistan and a consequent decrease of per capita cultivable land as a result of sudden pressure on land. Agricultural sector received continuous intensive stress in all the five year plans due to imperative necessity for increasing production. The rainfall being the controlling feature for choice of crops posed as a problem in absence of minimum irrigation facilities. The availability of cultivable land is also limited in the State as almost 55 per cent of the area is hills and hillocks where normal cultivation cannot be practiced. Another constraints for better agriculture practice is the minimum size of the operational holdings. The paucity of plain land available for cultivation of cereal crops is also an imperative reason for attaching more stress on exploring possibility of horticultural development on hill land and introduction of plantation crops of economic value like black pepper, cocoa, coffee, cinamom, high yielding early maturing varieties of cashewnut, dwarf varieties like rabi, wheat, groundnut, moong, maximum utilization of land by growing multiple crops.
ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Cattles and poultry are the main livestock-wealth of the district.
Fisheries : Due to topographical feature, the fisheries reserves in the state are limited to ponds, tanks etc., besides newly created Hydel Project Reservoir situated in the South Tripura District. The river system consisting of few main hilly streams flowing to Bangladesh do not support any fishery of commercial magnitude. In the Princely regime, the major portion of the requirement of fishes were used to be available from the then British India and this was sufficient for the small population of the state. Though the fisheries in the state have been improved both in regard to area, supply of inputs, etc., production increased during the preceeding years but still less then half of the present estimated requirement of 10800 M.T. The projected requirement at the end of Sixth Plan, i.e., 1982-83 is 14500 M.T. The wide gap is proposed to be narrowed to the maximum possible extent by modifying the strategy of the previous plan periods.
INDUSTRIES
Main minerals found in the district are :
Lignite : Lignite occurrences have been reported from Betage and Sabrim. The lignite is pyritiferous and belongs to noncaking variety. The deposits are very small and under considerable rock cover and so cannot be economically worked.
Plastic clay : There are a few small pockets of plastic clay in the district which can be used for the manufacture of roofing tiles and potteries.
Natural Gas : There are several gas seepages in the district. Tripura is an industrially backward state. The State inherited a sterile fondal economy mainly agrarian in character with the bulk of population struggling below the poverty line. Before its merger with the Indian Union, there was hardly any industrial activities of this native State. The State merged with the Indian Union on 15th October, 1949. We inherited a thoroughly bankrupt economy overwhelmingly agrarian in nature where the initial years of independence required more development in the social services sector than the industrial sector. The steps towards industrialisation started in humble way from the second Five Year Plan with the introduction of training programme in different trades for industry through the industrial institutions and production-cum-training centres. These efforts yielded results during the Third and Fourth Five Year Plan periods. The people gradually took up industrial venture in the small and Village Industries Sector. The Government of Tripura provided modern industrial sheds in the five industrial estates set up in north, south and west districts of the STate. Industrial Training Institutes provided skilled workers. Alongwith these, the Government of Tripura took up various liberalized incentives schemes to attract entrepreneurs towards industrial avocation. It was soon realised that in spite of the best efforts of the Government of Tripura, there were crippling limitations on the part of the private sector entrepreneurs to achieve steady growth. The TRipura Government, therefore, decided to float a number of industrial corporations to further streamline the commercial activities involved in the growth of industries. Last decade, therefore, witnessed the emergence of the following corporations :
1. Tripura Handloom & Handicrafts DEvelopment Corporation.
2. Tripura Industrial Development Corporation.
3. Tripura Tea development Corporation.
4. Tripura Jute Mills Limited.
Apart from that, the Tripura Small Industries Development Corporation was already existing looking after supply if scarce raw materials to the small scale units. This corporation also runs a number of industries like pharmaceutical, fruit canning and brick kilns etc. All the corporations named above are charged with specific areas of development. The activities of the above corporations with necessary particulars are given below as these corporations cover the WEst Tripura district as well along with other two district in extending its benefit to the artisan of the district through its different beneficial schemes. Tripura Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation : This corporation is looking after the development Handloom and Handicrafts. Tripura Industrial Development Corporation : The Tripura Industrial Development Corporation has been recently reconstituted to look after industrial area development by setting up of new industrial estates with additional responsibility to act as financial institution. The infrastructural development work has been started at Dukli in the outskirts of Agartala. Tripura TEa Development Corporation : The tea industry is the major industry of the state. Tea estates were also defunct for good many years and of late the operation in the garden has started under the direct supervising agency of the STate Government. On recommendation of the Planning Commission, the Tripura Tea Development Corporation has been floated in August, 1980 in order to cover new areas under tea plantation. The present aim of the corporation is to cover an area of 5000 to 8000 acres over a span of five years. Tripura Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd : The Corporation acts as suppliers of raw material like iron and steel, mutton tallow, newsprint, paraffin wax, cement G.C.I. The sales turnover in 1981-82 went upto Rs.three crores. It has established 14 brick kilns with investment of Rs.24 lakhs through the State and thus generated employment of about 3600 workers.
TRADE, COMMERCE AND EXPORT
In the past, there were exportable surplus of forest products and of certain agricultural produce. Forest products were mainly exported to the adjacent district of Assam and Bangladesh, namely, Sylhet, Tipperah and Noakhali and in smaller quantities to districts of Dacca, Bacherganj and Faridpur. There were three channels through which these products were exported. These were : (1) River-route Maha, i.e., exported by river-routes. All the main rivers of Tripura flow into Bangladesh; (2) Permit Mahal, i.e., exports of minor forest produce by land route permits. These permits entitled the holders to collect and make a shoulder-borne export independently, i.e., without the help of anybody else, minor forest produce such as bamboo sungrass, fuel, etc. from the forest area; (3) Khushki Mahal, i.e., exports of timber, bamboo in bundles of 100, sungrass in bundle, of 4/2 feet girth, fuel in cubic feet, bamboo mats in pieces, umbrella handle etc. by number. Among the exports of agricultural produce cotton, seaman, jute, mustard, rice, sugarcane, etc., were the main items.
Rice and sugarcane were mainly exported to the neighbouring district of Bangladesh through either land route or river route. But cotton was purchased by agents of important firms of Calcutta. Tripura's cotton is short-stapled and in CAlcutta market, this is commonly called "Comilla Cotton". Jute was also controlled by a few agents of Calcutta or of narainganj (Bangladesh). Oilseed was also taken to Calcutta by the purchasing agents operating in Tripura. Tea is also an important trade of export. It is directly sent by the respective garden to Calcutta. Cottage industry products like handloom products, baskets, cane products, bamboo made curies and tinned fruit products like orange squash, pineapple juice, and also pineapples are being exported now.
TOURIST PLACE
Rich in flora and fauna, the scenic beauty of the hilly terrains, interspersed with splash green valleys in between, of the district as a whole may attract the tourists to find solace in the calmness of the nature. The following places may find place in the tourists map of the district in particular.
Ujjayanta Palace : At the heart of the town of Agartala with in a compound covering an area of half a square mile, stands Ujjayanta Palace, the modern edifice of the royal house of Tripura. The construction of this well-balanced and beautiful palace had to be undertaken in 1899 in spite of the then stringent financial condition of the state because the old palace which was built in 1862 suffered very badly from a severe earthquake in 1898 and became unfit for habitation. It was completed in 1901 at a cost of little above Rs. 10 lakhs. The palace is a two storied mansion having a mixed type of architecture with three high domes, the central one being 86 ft. high. It had well-laid garden parks all around it and two large tanks on two sides, with the leading road in between them. The water cores and fountains were laid in the pattern of the Moghul garden. The main block covers 800 across and contains many public halls, viz., the Throne Room, Durbur Hall, Library, study, Recreation Hall, etc., After the merger of Tripura with the Union of India in 1949 the Royal Palace which was once full of life and brisk activity stood for lorn, being regarded as only a personal property of exruler until recently when it was taken over by the STate Government and transformed into the State Legislative Assembly. This commencing edifice stands erect as a pretty feat of modern architecture that once had a grandeur of its own.
Kunjaban Palace : A picturesque hillock known as Kunjaban for its scenic beauty stands to the north of Agartala town and within a mile from the Royal Palace (Ujjayanta Palace) with tracts of some law-lying hillocks. Though not far away yet being a palace came to be regarded as ideal for relaxation and pleasure strolls in the past for its green beauty, green gardens, orchard and a small zoo. It may be interesting to add that Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of this palace during his seventh and last visit in 1926. Around varandh attached to this eastern part, named as Gol Varandah was the most favourite place for its distant view of Baramura Hills on the eastern horizon. This varandah had been the mute witness of many a dear moment when the poet composed a number of popular songs which were in corporated in Vaikali series, or remained obsorted in silence. This palace has been taken over by the Government of Tripura and is being used as the official residence of the governor-Raj Bhavan.
Malanchabas : The bungalow adjacent to the Kunjaban Palace was originally a Kutcha house where also the poet stayed during his previous visit in 1919. The Pucca building which still assumes the name Malanchabas, was subsequently built. Among other places of visit at Agartala, mention may be made of Maharaja Bir Bikram ?College campus which appears to have been garlanded by a number of lakes, the government Museum where many old archaeological findings in Tripura have been places, the Buddha Temple, Uma Maheswari Temple, handloom and Handicrafts, corporation etc. Jagannath Temple, Jagannath Temple at Agartala though a structure of late nineteenth century, is attractive both to devotees of Lord Jagannath and also to the visitors for its peculiar structure, being octagonal at the basement and having a nice Pradakshinapatha round the sanctum. Every pillar of the octagon is crowned by a square pyramidal cone rising above a multifoil niche which comes at the level of the terrace.
Old Agartala : Puran Agartala or Puran Haveli as it is called, has been the capital of Tripura since the time of Maharaja Krishna Manikya who had shifted the capital from udaipur to old Agartala on the bank of Howra in the face of his continued fight with Sansher Gazi who had attacked Udaipur in 1784. It continued to be the capital of Rajay till it was shifted to the present site a few miles off old Agartala by Maharaja Krishna Manikya, who ascend the throne in 1830.
Old Agartala is still visited by a good number of pilgrims every year on the occasion of Kharchi Puja in the month of Ashara (July) at the temple of Chaturdas devata which was built there when the 14 deities were removed from Udaipur. Though originally a tribal festival, all classes of devotees both tribals and non-tribals participate in the worship of fourteen gods, popularly known as Kharchi Puja. The temple is situated at a distance of mile from Agartala town.
Rudrasagar and Nirmahal : "Rudrasagar is deep and extensive lake situated about 53 km. from Agartala and about eight kms. from Sonamura town. The scenic beauty of the lake was so attraction that Bir Bikram Kishore (1927-1947) the late Maharaja to Tripura built a spectacular edifice on an island in the Centre of the lake and named it Nirmahal or palace in the water. The palace was provided with electricity and had a small well-laid garden at the courtyard. Nirmahal is no doubt one of the finestt beauty spots in Tripura an though now stands in a dilapidated condition and stripped of its past glory, still it cots its spell on the mind of the people who visit this palace on a moonlit night. The lake itself very beautiful, affords good sports for rowing and rears a good stock of delicious fishes.
Shipahijala : It is situated almost at a distance of 20 kms. south from Agartala town. It is really a green heaven in the earth-away from the work of near shattering noise and speed. Round the palace a natural lake runs where half a dozen of paddle boats awaiting tourists step at the landing. A dense forest all around gives pleasure to the eyes. It has been decorated with a dear park where deer move here and there. A mini zoological garden with pythons and peacocks is a great attraction to the tourists. the wooden bungalow with a beautiful view is a great attraction to the visitors for rest house.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Fairs held in the district - Rathajatra mela, Shivaratri mela, Sri Panchami mela, Charak mela, Janmastami mela, Baruni sran (Baruani mela), Shiva Chaturdashi mela, Sita Ram Kunda mela, Baishakhi mela, Mela (year ending), Narayan Khamar mela (on the occasion of Shripanchami), Kanchanmala mela (on the occasion of Poush Sankranti), Mela (on the occasion of Poush Sankranti), Mela (on the occasion of Bengali Nababarsa), Nehal Chandranagar mela, Kalibari mela, Purathal Rajnagar mela, Shiva mela, Chaitra mela (on the occasion of Chaitra Sankranti), Gopalnagar Malaitaler mela (on the occasion of Shivratri), Kalacherra mela, Kerchi mela ( on the occasion of Kerchi puja), Rashmela (on the occasion of Rashpurnima), Poush Sankranti, Naba Barsa, Darger mela (on the occasion of Poush Sankranti), Birth day ceremony of Srimat Swami Nitya Krishnanda Abadaut Mahaaj at (Yogi Bari) on the occasion of Srabani Purnima), Saraswati mela (on the occasion of Saraswati puja), Battala mela (Poush Sankranti), Darga mela (name of which is Thakurmura Darga).
Festivals held in the district - Ker Puja, Kharachi Puja, Saraswati Puja, Druga Puja, Kali Puja, Shiv Puja, Dol Puja, Rath Jatra, Laxmi Puja, Poush Sankranti, Id-ud-Zuha, Good Friday, Easterday, New Year's day, Ganesh Puja Chaitra Sankranti, Manasa Puja, First baishakh, Biswakarma Puja, Rash Lila, Charak Puja, basanti Puja, Jhulan Jatra, Janmastami, Christmas day, Burdebta Moharram, Bishub Parab, Ganga Puja, Garia Puja, Sitala Puja, Nabanna, Birthday of Swami Vivekananda, Bishahari Puja.
Brief descriptive notes on selected fairs/festivals-
Kharchi festical : Kharch puja of this territory is performed with great joy and devotion. No other festival in Tripura is held with so much pomp and show as this. It is also called 'Chaturdash' or 'Chaudda Devata Puja'. The place where the festival fair is held is, known as 'Chaturdash Devata' or 'Chaudda Devatas bari, Old Agartala, the second capital of His Highness Krishna Manikya. The old Agartala was the capital of the former rulers of Tripura and 'Chaturdash Devata' were their family deities. When the capital was shifted to Agartala from old Agartala, the family deities were, however, left there for reasons not known. The then rulers of Tipura, however, appointed a group of tribal priests for the worship of these fourteen Gods. From that time onward the Gods are being daily worshipped. But in the month of Ashar (June-July) on the eighth day of the moonlit period (Suklastami), a special worship known as
Kharchi Puja begins which continues for seven days. As regards genesis of the deities it is believed that in the hoary past there was a king named Tripur who used to rule this land and after whom the place was named as Tripura. It is said that he was very cruel and oppressive towards the subjects. The tyranny and oppression of the king became so intolerable that his subjects lodged protest against him to Lord Siva, who being pleased with their prayers and worship, killed the king Tripur. Though the king was killed, the suffering and miseries of the people instead of abating aggravated, as they were left without a king. They once again prayed to Lord Siva for a king. Lord Shiva was pleased and said that soon the widow queen of Tripur, 'Harabati' would be blessed with a son, who would rule the kingdom to the satisfaction of all. He, however, directed the queen and others to worship daily the following Gods : hara (Lord Siva), Uma (Wife of Lord Siva), hari (Lord bishnu), Ma (Lakshmi), Bani (Saraswati), Kumar (Kartikaya), Ganesh (Siddidata), Brahma (creator of Universe), Prithi (Goddess of Earth), Samudra (God of Ocean), Ganga (Goddess of Ganges), Agni (God of Fire) Kamdev (God of Love and Romance), and Himalaya (God of all Hills). During Kharchi Puja another Goddess, namely 'Burama' is worshipped by a tribal priest.
The deity is made of stone nd kept in a separate hut which is open on all sides and constructed on a pucca plinth. All the year round the deity is kept these, although-worship is done only during Kharchi Puja. Every woman specially married ones after vermilion and lights candle in front of Burama with a fervent hope of being blessed with children. It is believed that ven a barren woman who offers Puja to Burama is blessed with children. The most redeeming feature of the Kharchi Puja is the sacrifice of thousands of the goats offered by religious minded people of all castes and creeds. This act of sacrifice is performed by a special group of priests known as Galim. Body of the animal after being sacrificed, is given back to the person who brings it, while the head is retained by the Galims. After each sacrifice, some quantity of blood and pieces of flesh of animal are offered to fourteen gods.
Ker festival - probably the most outstanding and at the same time peculiar festival of Tripura is the Ker Puja. it is held just after a fortnight of Kharchi Puja. The worship for 'ker' is held only one the first Tuesday or Saturday after fourteen days of Kharchi Puja. It seems that the worship of ke has a direct link with the worship of Kharchi, because the ker is also worshipped by 'Chantai' the chief of the priests of old Agartala. In the performance of this worship a particular place is earmarked which is known as ker Chaumuhani at Agartala and it is demorcated from rest of the places by a bamboo fence. This festival is also held in several tribal villages of Tripura where 'Ojhai' (tribal priest) performs the worship. The main feature of this festival is the worship of a long invoked bamboo which is locally known as nagri Pura.
EDUCATION
This table presents the distribution of literacy rate in the villages of different ranges of population, precisely the distribution of over all literacy rate of 41.07 as obtained in the rural population of the district among the groups of villages coming under the different ranges of population. The highest liteacy rate of 55.25 appears to have been obtained in eight villages under the range of population of 10000. The next higher literacy rate of 45.08 has been obtained in 34 villages under population range of 5000- 9999. The lowest literacy rate of 13.22 is found in eight villages coming under the population range of below 200 while the second lowest of 15.79 is found in 14 villages under range of population of 200-499. The highest number of villages of 106 fall under the range of population of 500-1999 attained a literacy rate of 30.47 and 38.75 respectively which are also less than the district average. It may , therefore, be concluded that literacy rate higher than the district average prevails in the bigger villages in the range of population of 5000-9999 and 10000+ further goes to show that the educational emanation reached the bigger villages to a greater extent, while it has lesser impact i the smaller one.
The literacy rate of the total urban area of the district is 74.70 which is very high in comparison with the rural literacy rate of 41.07. The high literacy rate in urban areas seems to an usual feature throughout of the whole State which will be evident from the high literacy rate of 73.66 per cent in urban areas taking the State as a whole. Among the three towns the highest literacy rate of 75.91 per cent is registered in Agartala town, next comes Khowai town with 68.77 per cent and the lowest of 59.67 in Sonamura town. The high trend of literacy rate in urban areas signifies that the educational amenities have reached the urban population to a greater extent but the rural areas still deserve better and concentrated effort for development.
Out of the three towns, Agartala being the capital town of the State has better number of educational institutions than the other two towns. But because of the population factor, i.e. number per 10000 population the proportions, becomes higher in Khowai town with Sonamura town in the next position followed by Agartala town. Viewing the district as a whole there are 112 institutions including primary in the urban area of the district catering to a total urban population of 149288.
* UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGES, 1996
* TRIPURA UNIVERSITY, P.O. AGARTALA COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* B.B. EVENING COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* GOVT. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* TRIPURA GOVT. LAW COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* TRIPURA ENGINEERING COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* WOMEN'S COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA. GOVT. COLLEGE OF ART AND CRAFT, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* M B B S COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA. MUSIC COLLEGE, AGARTALA, WEST TRIPURA.
* GOVT. DEGREE COLLEGE, KHOWAI, WEST TRIPURA.
* GOVT DEGREE COLLEGE, SONAMURA, WEST TRIPURA.
MEDICAL
Khowai and Sonamura with only 30 and 10 beds respectively. Naturally, though the population of Agartala is very high in comparison to the other two towns, because of the very high number of beds per 1000 population reads as 5.11 for Agartala, 12.80 for Khowai and 1.57 for Sonamura town.