The state of Tripura is diverse in its riches. This second smallest state of India is a satisfying compromise between the old and the new and also a fusion of styles of the hills and the plains. So the festive celebrations in the state of Tripura are marked with great ebullience and traditional ardor. Festivals in this state make for unrestrained jollification. Tripura participates in almost all the festivals taking place in the country. The festivals celebrated in Tripura embody the robust and composite cultural heritage of our nation. The culture of Tripura has a plethora of festivals to be celebrated throughout the year. Whether it is a tribal festival or a common one, the enthusiasm and vigor with which the festivals of Tripura are celebrated both by the tribal clans and the non-tribal groups are unique.

Kharchi Puja
This is one of the most important festivals of Tripura and is basically celebrated by the tribal and non-tribal groups with equal joy and excitement. The term `khya` signifies earth, so the festival of Kharchi Puja means the worship of the Earth, which sustains life with all her resources. It is observed in the month of July at the region of Agartala. The festive celebrations are spread over a period of seven days and takes place mainly in the temple premises. Thousands of devotees participate in this festival to make it a grand success.

Ashokashtami
It is one of the most auspicious festivals of Tripura and is celebrated with much exuberance and ebullience in the months of March/April every year at Unakoti Teertha in Kailasahar sub-division of the state. The religious customs are performed by the locals and the festival gains equal status of joy in the hearts of both the tribals and the non-tribals. Many rock-cut images of local deities can be seen on the walls of Unakoti hill and are worshipped by thousands of devotees with much devotion. The rite of taking a holy dip in the Ashtami kunda is marked as a special feature of this festival.

Diwali
Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Tripura and is one of the most important festivals of Tripura. It is celebrated with much excitement and enthusiasm in the month of October/ November every year on the dark night day of the Bengali month of Kartika. Goddess Kali is worshipped here during the festival of Diwali. Thousands of oil lamps or `diyas` are lit in her honor and in return the Goddess promises a renewal of life and justice on earth. A big colorful fair is also organized after the `festival of lights` come to an end. This special festival of Tripura heralds joy and prosperity in the coming year.

Garia Puja
This festival is celebrated in the season of autumn. It usually falls in the months of September/ October and is one of the most auspicious festivals of Tripura. It is celebrated on a grand scale with puja pandals doted in every nook and corner of the state. The grand festive celebrations stretch over a period of four days and commemorate the defeat of the demon Mahisasura at the hands of Goddess Durga, who is also believed to be the incarnation of power. The immersion of the idol takes place on the fourth day of the festivities. This festival also offers a unique opportunity to bring about the spirit of euphoria in the hearts of old and young alike.

Orange and Tourism Festival
There is a great abundance of orange harvest in this state because of the rainy season. To mark the grand harvest a festival is organized by the locals of the state of Tripura. Both the tourists as well as the locals celebrate this festival with great amount of pomp and joy. This grand fruit festival is celebrated in the month of November every year.

Ker Puja
This is another most important festival of Tripura. Ker puja generally starts about fifteen days after Kharchi Puja. The guardian deity of Vastu Devata is Ker. It is a firm belief of the locals that the former rulers used to perform this Puja for the welfare of the common mass. The literal meaning of `ker` being a specified area, two time-honored beliefs lie behind the ritualistic invocation. Those two beliefs can be summed up as the welfare of the common mass against any calamities and the other one includes the protection of the general from any external aggression. Sacrifices and offerings are marked as the characteristics of this popular festival.

Buddha Jayanti
This is one of the most magnificent Buddhist festivals of Tripura. The Buddha temple at Venuban Vihar in the city of Agartala in Tripura indulges in the festive celebrations with much excitement and vigor. This festival is observed in Tripura in the month of May every year and a huge fair also marks the festive celebrations of this auspicious occasion. The Buddhists from all over the country participate in the Buddha Jayanti celebrations with much enthusiasm.

Poush Sankranti
Also known as Tirthamukh mela, it is among the oldest festivals celebrated in Tripura. It takes place during Uttarayan Sankranti for a holy dip in the river Gomati. The day marks the commencement of the Sun"s northern course- the last day of the month of Pousa.

Neermahal Water Festival
Neermahal water festival is celebrated at Neermahal, Rudrasagar Lake in Tripura every year. The festival is celebrated for 3 days, with plays and cultural programmes organized during the evenings. The boat race in the Rudrasagar lake is a big attraction of the festival. Apart from that, a swimming competition is also organized at the festival.