Excursion

Tripura is a smallest hill state in North East India. It covers 10,500 sq km, and almost all the places are surrounded by Bangladesh. This state has the highest annual rain fall of about 4,000 mm. Foreigners require area permit to visit this state.

Ujjayant Palace
This palace was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901. It is a Mughal style building. The palace is now changed to State Legislative Assembly. This is the largest building in the country covering 1 sq km. The peculiarity of this palace is its Chinese room with carved wooden ceilings, tiled floors and sculpted front doors.

The Jagannath temple, built in 19th century is across on the artificial lake in front of the palace.

This is a modern building of the royal house of Tripura and is located in the heart of Agartala, sprawling over a half sq. kms. This two storeyed mansion has a mixed architechture with three high domes ( the centre one being 86' high). The magnificient titles floor, curved wooden ceiling and beautifully crafted doors are particularly notable. The palace was built by Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901. Its well laid out gardens have two large tanks on either side and the fountains are laid out in the patterns of the Mughal Gardens. Kunjaban Palace situated 1 Km ahead on a hillock, was constructed in 1917 and named as Pushbanta Palace by the than ruler, Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya. It is said that the known poet Rabindra Nath Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of the palace. The southern side is now open to the public and is known as Rabindra Kanan, while the rest of the palace is now the official residence of the Governor of the State.

Temple of Chaturdasa Devata
This temple is dedicated to 14 gods and goddesses, represented by their heads. It is built in Bengali architectural style. But it has a Buddhist type stupa on top.

Top    

Neer Mahal
This is a water-palace built in Rudrasagar Lake. It is like a fairytale castle with towers and pavilions. It also has moats and bridges.

At Udaipur (not to be confused with the one in Rajasthan!), Tripura's lovely lake palace on Lake Rudrasagar, Neermahal. is Eastern India's only water palace. The palace was the dream castle of Raja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, who quite obviously had keen aesthetic sensibilities. Built in 1930, this floating castle took nine years to be executed to his
specifications of luxury and beauty. A blend of Hindu-Muslim architecture, and about 400 m in length, the maharaja's summer resort has 24 rooms with provisions for private quarters {Andarrnahal) for the king and his family and retinue of servants. It also had a dance hall and an assembly hall where he could meet people. The tracts of green fields edging the lake come alive with birdsong during the annual arrival of the migratory birds. Access t o the palace was by boat, which led directly to the rooms. Neermahal is 55 km from Agartala.

There's a boat festival held at the lake annually. Visitors can stay at the picturesquely located Saharamahal tourist lodge at Rajghat, the access point for the palace from which you can get a boat. Another attraction here is the craft and heritage village.

A Summer resort built in 1930 by the late Maharaj Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, is about 55 kms away from Agartala. It is built in the middle of a Lake called Rudrasagar with a total area of about 5.35 kms. A perfect blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture it is the only Lake Palace in Eastern India. Half of the Palace is an open-air theatre and the other half on the Western Side is called the Andar Mahal, used by the Royalty.

Top    

Sipahijala
This is a botanical garden with a small zoo. Elephant rides are available. There is a lake with boating facilities.

Tripura Government Museum
This museum contains some of the rare stone images, old coins, archaeological articles from Tripura and adjoining areas, Bengal Kantha embroidery, sculptures and the 8th-10th century Buddhist sculptures from Pilak. Visit : weekdays 1000- 1700.

Unakoti
The Rock-Cuts and stone carvings of Tripura are huge and have been carved on open vertical walls at Unakoti, Debtamura and Pilak. Unakoti is about 178 kms from Agartala. The name Unakoti means one less than a crore and legend. It is a Shivva pilgrimage site dating back to the 8th or 9th century. The central Shiva Carving known as the Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high, its head dress is 10 feet in height. Evvery year a big festival known as Ashokastami Mela is held here in the month of April.

Debtamura
This is 75 kms from Agartala and is situated on the banks of the river Gomati between Udaipur and Amarpur. The rocks on the banks of the river are also called Chabimura and are images of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartik, Mahisasur, Mardini Durga and other deities. The images date back to the 15th and 16th Century.

Pilak
The Stone carvings found here are mostly in stone and terracotta plaques. This is located about 100 kms away from Agartala.

About 100 km away from Agartala is Pilak, famous for its great 8th-9th century archaeological remains.The site is one of an old civilisation, representingboth Hindu and Buddhist linkages. The main attractions here are the massive stone sculptures of Avolokiteswara and Narasimhan and numerous carvings in stone and terracotta plaques. The site is still being excavated - who knows what else the earth will reveal!

Top    

Mata Tripureshwari Temple
Located at Udaipur about 58 kms away from Agartala and 3 kms from Udaipur, is considered one among the 51 pithasthans of India according to Hindu Mythology. It is also known as Kurma Pith because of the shape of the temple resembling the tortoise. The idol of Maa Kali is made of reddish black stone and is in the Soroshi form.

The Fourteen Goddess Temple
Is situated about 14 kms from Agartala at a place known as the old Agartala. The famous Kharchi Festival is celebrated here during the month of July each year.

Bhuveneshwari Temple
On the right banks of the Gomati River, was buillt by Maharaja Govinda Manikya, during 1660-75. It finds its reference in Rabindra Nath Tagore's poetry and drama.

Jampui Hills
The luxuriant forests of 'Jampui Hill', the premier one among the 6 principal hill ranges of Tripura provides a life time's exhilarating experience for the tourist.'Jampui Hill' - the permanent seat of spring, is situated at an altitude of about 3000 above sea level and about 250 km away from Agartala. This hill range consists of cluster of tribal villages and is home for colourful Lushai and Reang tribal communities. The neat and clean traditional wooden houses of the local inhabitants combined with greenery all around provide excellent opportunities for eco-friendly tourism. During the month of November every year, the unique Orange Festival is celebrated in the Jampui Hill.

Agartala
The State Capital is connected by road with Guwahati via Shillong by National Highway No. 44. It takes about 24 hours by road from Guwahati to reach Agartala. There are flight connections as well, with Calcutta and Guwahati.

Top