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Time of India
02-07-2025
- Time of India
Kharchi Puja 2025: Date, history, celebration, wishes, messages, WhatsApp status to share
Kharchi Puja 2025: It is one of the most important and sacred festivals celebrated in Tripura. This important Hindu festival is known for its unique rituals and week-long celebrations. In 2025, Kharchi Puja will be celebrated on July 3rd, drawing thousands of devotees and tourists to the Fourteen Gods temple known as the 'Chaturdasha Devata in Old Agartala. In this article, we explore the history, meaning, significance, rituals, and wishes of Kharchi Puja 2025. You'll also find WhatsApp messages, wishes and status ideas to share the festive spirit with your friends and family. What is Kharchi Puja? Understanding the Meaning and Significance The word 'Kharchi' comes from the Tripuri word 'Khya', which means Earth. Kharchi Puja is a festival that pays respect to Mother Earth and the Fourteen Gods worshipped by the people of Tripura. It symbolises the cleansing of the Earth after the sacred time known as 'Ama Pechi' – believed to be the menstruation period of the Mother Goddess. The main purpose of Kharchi Puja is to wash away sins, restore purity to the Earth, and bring peace, prosperity, and well-being to everyone. Kharchi Puja 2025 Date and Location Date: July 3, 2025 Main Location: Old Agartala, Tripura, India Duration: 7 days of grand celebration The festival starts 15 days after Ama Pechi and takes place on Shukla Ashtami, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. History of Kharchi Puja: A Glimpse into Tripuri Traditions The history of Kharchi Puja goes back centuries and is deeply rooted in the tribal customs of Tripura. It is believed that the rituals were started by the royal family of Tripura and continue to be followed with devotion. According to Tripuri legends, after Ama Pechi, the Earth becomes impure. Since menstruation is seen as a sacred yet unclean period, Kharchi Puja is performed to cleanse the Earth. The rituals are believed to bring spiritual and environmental balance. Kharchi Puja significance The festival, which honours the traditional tribal gods, is held during June or July in Old Agartala, Tripura. The idols used in the rituals only include the heads of the deities, and each is given a name based on Hindu beliefs, such as Hara, Uma, Hari, Maa, Bani, Kumar, Ganesh, Brahma, Pritthi, Ganga, Abdi, Kamesh, and Himadri. These head-shaped idols have also been accepted and worshipped by Hindus in Tripura. Many old stories and legends about these Fourteen Gods are well-known throughout the state. The religious rituals begin one day before the main festival starts. Items used in the worship include buffaloes, he-goats, eggs, bamboo poles and pipes, umbrellas, clay pots, ducks, pigeons, bamboo sticks, thread, cotton, turmeric, vermilion, wine, banana leaves, and rice. The head priest, known as the Chantai, recites sacred mantras, while his assistant performs the animal sacrifices. A vibrant and grand fair is also organised during this time, which continues for seven days. What makes this festival truly special is its message of peace, unity, and togetherness. People from all communities, regardless of caste, religion, or background, come together to joyfully celebrate this traditional event. Rituals and Celebrations During Kharchi Puja Kharchi Puja is full of colourful and traditional rituals that last for seven days. Each day has its own importance and draws massive gatherings. Key Rituals of Kharchi Puja: Fourteen Gods are taken from the temple and carried to the Saidra river. The deities are bathed in the holy river by priests known as Chantai. After purification, the idols are brought back to the temple premises. Flowers, vermilion, sweets, and animal sacrifices (like goats and pigeons) are offered. The entire community, both tribal and non-tribal, participates in the rituals. Cultural events, traditional dances, and a grand fair are held every evening. This festival is more than just a religious event – it's a celebration of unity, heritage, and devotion. Why is Kharchi Puja Important? Kharchi Puja holds immense importance for the people of Tripura and followers of traditional Hindu customs. As the world becomes more aware of environmental consciousness, Kharchi Puja reminds us of the sacred connection between humans and nature, especially Mother Earth. With more people sharing festive content online, this year's celebration is expected to reach a wider audience through WhatsApp messages, social media status updates, and digital greetings. Wishes and Messages for Kharchi Puja 2025 Here are some beautiful Kharchi Puja wishes and messages to share with your loved ones: May the sacred waters of Saidra wash away all your worries and purify your soul this Kharchi Puja 2025. Let the blessings of the Fourteen Gods guide your path and fill your life with joy, peace, and endless prosperity. On the auspicious occasion of Kharchi Puja, let us take a moment to thank Mother Earth for everything she gives us. May your home be blessed with harmony, love, and divine energy throughout the year. As the idols of the Fourteen Deities return to the temple after being purified in the holy river, may your life also be filled with renewed hope, strength, and spiritual clarity. Happy Kharchi Puja 2025 to you and your loved ones. Wishing you a spiritually uplifting Kharchi Puja. May this sacred festival bring healing to your heart, peace to your home, and unity to your community. Celebrate with gratitude and prayer in your heart. Let us embrace the traditions of Kharchi Puja with reverence and joy. May the divine rituals bring light to your life, remove all negativity, and bring prosperity in every aspect of your journey. Kharchi Puja reminds us of our sacred bond with Mother Earth. On this day, may your soul be touched by the pure energy of nature, and may your home overflow with blessings and peace. As the Fourteen Gods are adorned with flowers and vermillion, may your life too be decorated with happiness, good health, and abundance. Sending you my warmest wishes on Kharchi Puja 2025. On this holy day, may the energy of the Earth and the blessings of the gods bring clarity to your thoughts, strength to your actions, and love to your relationships. Wishing you a divine Kharchi Puja. Let the week-long celebrations of Kharchi Puja fill your life with colour, culture, and contentment. May every ritual performed bring you closer to inner peace and universal harmony. As the sacred rituals of Kharchi Puja purify the Earth, may your life be free from past burdens and filled with new beginnings. Wishing you and your family a blessed and joyful Kharchi Puja 2025. May the divine blessings of the Fourteen Gods bring peace, prosperity, and happiness to your home. Happy Kharchi Puja 2025! On this sacred occasion, let's pray for a clean Earth and a pure heart. Wishing you and your family a blessed Kharchi Puja! Let the spirit of Kharchi Puja purify your life just like the Saidra river cleanses the deities. Jai Maa Earth! Celebrate the beauty of our traditions with Kharchi Puja 2025. May this festival bring new beginnings! Let's join hands in prayer, music, and celebration. Wishing you love and light this Kharchi Puja! WhatsApp Status Ideas for Kharchi Puja 2025 Celebrating purity, prayer, and Mother Earth – Happy Kharchi Puja 2025! 🙏✨ The blessings of the Fourteen Gods are upon us. Let the healing begin! 🌿 #KharchiPuja2025 Holy water, pure prayers, and sacred Earth – it's Kharchi Puja time! 🙌💫 From Ama Pechi to Kharchi – honouring Mother Earth and tradition. 🌍❤️ May this Kharchi Puja cleanse our souls and unite our hearts. 💫🙏 Traditions that touch the Earth and the soul. Happy Kharchi Puja to all! 🎉🌱 Light, devotion, and divine rituals – that's the spirit of Kharchi Puja. 🌼 May the gods shower their blessings this Kharchi Puja! Let the celebrations begin. 💐✨ A week of devotion. A lifetime of blessings. #KharchiPuja #TripuraTradition 🔱 Fourteen Gods. One Earth. Infinite Blessings. Wishing peace and positivity this Kharchi Puja! 🌸🙏 🌸 Kharchi Puja vibes only! 🌼 #KharchiPuja2025 🌊 Fourteen Gods, one love – Happy Kharchi Puja! 🌿 Respect Earth. Celebrate Kharchi Puja. 🕉️ Blessings, prayers, and pure energy this Kharchi Puja! 🐐 Tradition. Culture. Devotion. #Tripura #KharchiPuja Kharchi Puja 2025 is not just a religious ritual but a powerful tribute to Mother Earth, cultural heritage, and spiritual purity. The festival connects communities, preserves age-old traditions, and inspires everyone to live in harmony with nature. Don't forget to celebrate this sacred event by sending Kharchi Puja wishes, sharing festive messages, and updating your WhatsApp status to spread positivity and joy. Tags: Kharchi Puja, Kharchi Puja 2025, Kharchi Puja date, Kharchi Puja history, Kharchi Puja meaning, Tripura festivals 2025, Hindu festivals in July 2025, Kharchi Puja rituals, Kharchi Puja celebration, Mother Earth worship, Ama Pechi, Fourteen Gods Tripura, Kharchi Puja messages, Kharchi Puja wishes, Kharchi Puja WhatsApp status (Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.) For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
The Mainichi
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Mainichi
New Japanese citizen in int'l marriage confronts single-surname rule for married couples
FUKUOKA -- A man who acquired Japanese nationality two years ago has reflected on the Japanese system requiring married Japanese couples to share a single surname -- following years in an international marriage in which he and his wife retained separate surnames. Japan has been contemplating a bill that would give Japanese couples the option of retaining separate surnames after marriage. The bill recently entered deliberation in the Diet for the first time in 28 years, but without a conclusion being reached before the end of the latest Diet session on June 22, the talks are set to continue. Discussions have been met with persistent opposition from conservatives who argue that it would "undermine family unity." However, the man interviewed by the Mainichi Shimbun says that the rule actually caused confusion for his family. This raises the question: What is the ideal form for surnames and family? The man, originally from Sri Lanka, is Pathmasiri-Jayasena Hara, 54, a professor in peace studies at Fukuoka Women's University in Fukuoka's Higashi Ward. He came to Japan as a student in 2000 and, except for temporary stays in Britain and elsewhere, has mostly lived in Japan. He married a Japanese woman in 2006, and they have four children. Japan alone forces married couples to have single surname Hara began the process of acquiring Japanese citizenship around 2022. Although he held "permanent resident" status, he had developed a deep attachment to Japan after living in the country for many years, and wanted to engage with society as a Japanese national. In 2023, he acquired Japanese citizenship, whereupon the issue of the couple's surname came up. In international marriages involving a Japanese citizen, if the spouse retains foreign nationality, there is no problem with the couple retaining separate surnames. But if the foreign national acquires Japanese citizenship and it becomes a marriage between two Japanese nationals, a new family register is created, so they are asked to decide which surname to keep. According to the Ministry of Justice, Japan is the only country in the world that mandates a single surname choice for married couples. Hara's sister, who lives in Sri Lanka, did not change her surname after marriage. The option of being able to choose separate surnames is taken for granted there, and Hara reflected, "I had never even considered it before it became a personal issue." Sensing an implicit social rule Hara's primary concern about changing his own name was the potential disadvantage in his research -- a change in surname could lead to difficulties in being recognized in academic searches, and his achievements might not be properly evaluated. He considered the option of continuing to use his original surname. His wife and children, too, expressed a desire to take his surname. When he asked them why, his daughters, high school and junior high school students, replied, "Because everyone does." According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, 94.5% of couples who married in 2023 chose the husband's surname. However, Hara felt a lingering discomfort, suspecting they were unconsciously conforming to unspoken social rules they didn't need to follow. In his job, Hara has raised issues with the Japanese system, prepared to face any criticism. One of those issues is Japan's male-dominated society. "It doesn't make sense for us to adopt my surname after I have acquired Japanese nationality," he said. After much deliberation, he decided to take his wife's surname. At the same time Hara registered his original surname "Jayasena" and his given name "Pathmasiri" as a single name, "Pathmasiri-Jayasena," to avoid confusion in academic searches and so he wouldn't be mistaken for someone else. The university allows him to use the name by which he is regularly known, and he hasn't encountered significant inconveniences so far from changing his name. However, official documents related to employment and salary require the surname on the family register, leading to more instances where he needs to be mindful, telling people who are wondering what to call him, "Please call me 'Jayasena.'" The partial change in a name he had held for half a century shook his identity. "It feels like there are two of me," he said. Diversity a key to family happiness The introduction of a system allowing couples to retain separate surnames after marriage was proposed by the Legislative Council, an advisory body to the minister of justice, in 1996, but has been blocked by opponents including conservative Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers. Opponents argue that "the sense of family unity and bonds would break down" as a result, but Hara counters that this claim has "absolutely no basis." For 17 years before he acquired Japanese nationality, Hara and his wife lived with different surnames, with the children using their mother's surname, but this was never a topic of discussion. They were a close-knit family. Rather, it was being bound by the single-surname rule that caused them trouble. Hara sometimes wonders what his wife truly feels about him adopting her surname. If they hadn't been forced to choose a surname, such a thought might never have crossed his mind. "That's why the freedom to choose is important. What matters is that family members respect each other, and surname uniformity should be irrelevant," he said. Deliberation on the issue, which had long been shelved in Japan, began in the House of Representatives Judicial Affairs Committee for the first time in 28 years after the LDP became a minority party in the lower house. However, due to differing views between the ruling and opposition parties on the direction of the amendment, a vote was postponed, and the discussion continues. In a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office in 2021, 52.1% of people who had changed their surname due to the same-surname system agreed that there were inconveniences or disadvantages in doing so. Hara stressed, "There are still people worrying about this now. The system of selective surnames for married couples doesn't take away anyone's rights; it increases options. Surely increasing options fosters diversity and contributes to everyone's happiness."
Japan Today
26-06-2025
- Japan Today
Man arrested for stalking woman, posting slanderous comments and secretly filmed images online
Chiba Prefectural Police have arrested a 24-year-old unemployed man on suspicion of violating the Stalking Prevention Act by posting multiple slanderous comments about a former colleague, a woman in her 20s, on a social networking site. According to police, Mizuki Hara, who lives in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture, is accused of posting the comments and images of the woman at work on social media between December 7, 2024 and April 11 this year, Sankei Shimbun reported. In late March, the woman consulted the police, saying, "I was receiving messages saying 'You're cute' and obscene images from multiple email addresses that I don't recognize." Hara posted defamatory comments against the woman six times in total, but did not send any emails. It is believed that another man who saw Hara's posts sent multiple emails to the woman, and police are also questioning him. © Japan Today
Japan Today
22-06-2025
- Japan Today
Man dressed suspiciously warm for Japanese summer chased by helicopter and arrested for fraud
By SoraNews24 Just like every year, the past week or so has been as if someone flipped a switch from non-stop rain to relentless heat and summer is suddenly underway in Japan. They say this period of mid-rainy season heat is the worst for our health since the lingering humidity makes it harder for our bodies to properly expel the heat through sweating. Whether that's true or not doesn't change the fact that the past few days have been a muggy mess in much of Japan and people are doing whatever they can to avoid heat stroke. That is, everyone except one man, apparently, who was spotted by the Saitama Prefectural Police in Kuki City on June 17. That morning the temperature was quickly rising but an officer patrolling the area found it odd that a man in front of Kuki Station was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and vest without even rolling up his sleeves to get a modicum of relief. Finding that suspicious, the officer decided to ask him some questions. However, the young man refused to answer any questions and tried to walk away but the officer followed him. The man then got into a taxi, changed to a train, and got on a shinkansen bullet train for Nagoya to get away from the officer but by this time several other members of the Saitama Prefectural Police got involved, including a helicopter that was dispatched to follow him. Meanwhile, back at headquarters, police were checking surveillance footage to see where he had been prior to Kuki Station and cross-referenced it with other investigations. They found that he had used someone else's bank card that he acquired illegally to withdraw 500,000 yen from an ATM at a convenience store in Kuki City that same morning. With that evidence in hand, an officer who was also aboard the bullet train arrested 27-year-old Sho Hara on the spot for his involvement in special fraud. Hara is denying the charges and told police, 'I know nothing.' Some readers of the news expressed amazement in comments that the officer was able to spot a criminal so well, while others took offense that wearing long sleeves in hot weather was considered suspicious behavior. 'Amazing instincts, lol!' 'They say you should wear long sleeves to keep the sun off your skin.' 'The officer has a detective's intuition.' 'But I wear long sleeves in the summer.' 'Maybe he was hiding tattoos.' 'What kind of world do we live in where a guy can't even wear long sleeves in the summer?' 'That cop deserves a huge bonus.' 'A nice Montbell Wickron is actually cooler than short sleeves in the sun.' 'He was probably just a bagman though. They still need to find the people behind it.' 'He probably has 'FRAUD MULE' tattooed on his arm.' 'I'm sure it wasn't just the long sleeves. He was probably acting strange too.' Indeed, it probably wasn't just the fact that he had long sleeves but how he was wearing them. A habitual long-sleeve wearer would do so with a certain aplomb, but this guy probably looked particularly uncomfortable as he was but made no effort to change his appearance. As we've seen before, police have learned to look out for people who look uncomfortable in their own clothing, as bagmen for fraud schemes are often given clothing at the last minute in order to impersonate a lawyer, police detective, CEO, etc. Sometimes these clothes are the wrong size or simply don't match the wearer's sensibilities, which is a guarantee that an officer will want to ask you what you're doing. Source: NTV News, Itai News Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Real fashion police: Con man arrested in Tokyo, police tipped off by ill-fitting suit -- Police Reported of Suspicious Person Fitting the Description of Police -- Pensioner pretends to be deceived by telephone fraud, helps catch criminals External Link © SoraNews24
SoraNews24
20-06-2025
- SoraNews24
Man dressed suspiciously warm for Japanese summer chased by helicopter and arrested for fraud
He was drawing too much heat. Just like every year, the past week or so has been as if someone flipped a switch from non-stop rain to relentless heat and summer is suddenly underway in Japan. They say this period of mid-rainy season heat is the worst for our health since the lingering humidity makes it harder for our bodies to properly expel the heat through sweating. ▼ The other summer months are hardly a picnic either though. Whether that's true or not doesn't change the fact that the past few days have been a muggy mess in much of Japan and people are doing whatever they can to avoid heat stroke. That is, everyone except one man, apparently, who was spotted by the Saitama Prefectural Police in Kuki City on 17 June. That morning the temperature was quickly rising but an officer patrolling the area found it odd that a man in front of Kuki Station was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and vest without even rolling up his sleeves to get a modicum of relief. Finding that suspicious, the officer decided to ask him some questions. However, the young man refused to answer any questions and tried to walk away but the officer followed him. The man then got into a taxi, changed to a train, and got on a Shinkansen bullet train for Nagoya to get away from the officer but by this time several other members of the Saitama Prefectural Police got involved, including a helicopter that was dispatched to follow him. Meanwhile, back at headquarters, police were checking surveillance footage to see where he had been prior to Kuki Station and cross-referenced it with other investigations. They found that he had used someone else's bank card that he acquired illegally to withdraw 500,000 yen (US$344) from an ATM at a convenience store in Kuki City that same morning. With that evidence in hand, an officer who was also aboard the bullet train arrested 27-year-old Sho Hara on the spot for his involvement in special fraud. Hara is denying the charges and told police, 'I know nothing.' Some readers of the news expressed amazement in comments that the officer was able to spot a criminal so well, while others took offense that wearing long sleeves in hot weather was considered suspicious behavior. 'Amazing instincts, lol!' 'They say you should wear long sleeves to keep the sun off your skin.' 'The officer has a detective's intuition.' 'But I wear long sleeves in the summer.' 'Maybe he was hiding tattoos.' 'What kind of world do we live in where a guy can't even wear long sleeves in the summer?' 'That cop deserves a huge bonus.' 'A nice Montbell Wickron is actually cooler than short sleeves in the sun.' 'He was probably just a bagman though. They still need to find the people behind it.' 'He probably has 'FRAUD MULE' tattooed on his arm.' 'I'm sure it wasn't just the long sleeves. He was probably acting strange too.' Indeed, it probably wasn't just the fact that he had long sleeves but how he was wearing them. As the police taught our reporter Mr. Sato when he was questioned by them for being suspicious several times, it's not a single behavior but a combination of them that sets off a cop's radar. A habitual long-sleeve wearer would do so with a certain aplomb, but this guy probably looked particularly uncomfortable as he was but made no effort to change his appearance. ▼ Here's a guy who knows how to pull off long sleeves in summer. As we've seen before, police have learned to look out for people who look uncomfortable in their own clothing, as bagmen for fraud schemes are often given clothing at the last minute in order to impersonate a lawyer, police detective, CEO, etc. Sometimes these clothes are the wrong size or simply don't match the wearer's sensibilities, which is a guarantee that an officer will want to ask you what you're doing. This attention to detail and the fact that they more or less recreated the final scene of Mission: Impossible to catch this guy, show that police in Saitama are not playing around when it comes to special fraud. Source: NTV News, Itai News Featured image: Pakutaso Insert images: ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
