Tourism in Tripura
Place of Interest:
Ujjayanta Palace: This royal house, which stands in the Capital city Agartala covering 1(one) sq.Km. area was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya during 1899-1901. It is a two storied mansion, having a mixed type of architecture with three high domes, the central one being 86’ high. The magnificent tile floor, curved wooden ceiling and beautifully crafted doors are particularly notable. The palace is set with huge Mughal style gardens, beautified by pools and gardens. Flood lighting and fountains have also added to its beauty.
State Museum: Tripura Government Museum is important to the tourists, students, general public and research scholars to know about the History and Culture of past and present people of the State. Most of the sculptures acquired and displayed so far are from Udaipur, Pilak, Jolaibari and other sites of Tripura Out of them, the sculptures from Pilak are the exquisite collections, depicting mixed culture of both Hindu and Buddhist pantheon. they are famous itself for the style and variety of theme.
Tripura Sundari Temple (Udaipur): This temple is one of the 51 holiest “Shaktipeeths” (Shrine of the goddess of power) in India as per Hindu mythology. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu had cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces with his Sudarshana Chakra and all these pieces fell at different places throughout the country and these places are known as Shaktipeeths. It is said that right foot of Mata Sati fell at Matabari on the southwestern outskirts of Udaipur town, headquarter of present south Tripura district of the state. This pithasthan (centre of pilgrimage) is also known as Kurma Pith because the shape of the temple premises resembles that of “Kurma” or tortoise. The idol of “Maa Kali”, presiding deity of the temple, stands in the sanctum sanctorum and it is made of reddish black stone, popularly known in Bengali as ‘Kashtipathar’. The temple is located at 55 km away from agartala and 3 km from Udaipur.
Kamalasagar (Kashaba) Kali Temple: Kamalasagar Kali Temple, was built on a hill-top by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in the late 15th century. It is situated just deside the Bangladesh border, The lake in front of this temple rightly enhances its beauty. The large Kamala Sagar lake dug by king Dhanya Manikya (1490-1520) and the two wavy blue water lakes in front of the Ujjayanta palace, abode of Tripura’s erstwhile princely rulers in the heart of capital Agartala will form inevitable itinerary of trourists fond of waterscape. Princely Tripura’s erstwhile capital and present headquarter of south Tripura District, Udaipur is also known as a lake-town because of the surfeit of large lakes, dug by different princely rulers, that dot the town. These lakes coupled with the river Gomati that flows by Udaipur will enthuse tourists to have a pleasant outing.
Unakoti: It is “Shaiba” (Saivite) pilgrimage and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries if not earlier. The marvellous rock carvings, murals with their primitive beauty, waterfalls are not to be missed. Unakoti means one less than a crore and it is said that these many rock cut carvings are available here. As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses he made a night halt at this location. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise and proceed for Kashi. It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else could get up so Lord Shiva set out for Kashi himself cursing the others to become stone images. As a result we have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at Unakoti.These carvings are located at a beautifully landscaped forest area with green vegetation all around which add to the beauty of the carvings.The images found at Unakoti are of two types, namely rock-carved figures and stone images.
Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’ is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures – one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti. Every year a big fair popularly known as ‘Ashokastami Mela’ is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims.
It is located at 178 km from Agartala, 8 km from Kailashahar, district head quarter of North Tripura District.
Rudra-Sagar Lake: Rudrasagar lake, about 55 Km. away from Agartala near Melaghar with 5.3 Sq.Km. water area is another big attraction. In the centre of the lake the famous lake palace of Tripura namely “Neermahal” is built. Neermahal literally means Water Palace. The Palace is a picturesque fairy-tale royal mansion located in the middle of the Rudrasagar Lake which is 53 Km. south of agartala. Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore manikya built the palace in 1930 A.D. as his summer residence being inspired by Mughal Style of architecture. The lake witnesses a large number of migratory birds in every winter. Every year a boat race is organized in July/August. The visiting tourists can enjoy boating facility in the lake. It is located at 53 km from Agartala, 20 from Udaipur and 2 km from Melaghar.