Poet Rabindranath
Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of this palace during his
7th and last visit to the state in 1926. This palace was the mute
witness to many of the great poet's creations including a number
of popular songs. There are well laid gardens and lawns inside
the palace which is the official residence of the Governor of
Tripura now. The southern side of the garden has been made open
for the public and has been named as ‘Rabindra Kanan’.
Malancha Niwas
The Bungalow adjacent to Kunjaban palace situated on a hillock
was originally a kaccha house where Tagore stayed during his visit
in 1919. The pucca construction was subsequently built and given
the name of Malancha Niwas.
Location: Agartala
Unakoti
It is Shaiba pilgrimage and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries
if not earlier. The marvelous 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 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.
Location: 178 k.m. from Agartala. 8 k.m. from Kailashahar,
district head quarter of North Tripura District.
Pilak
Treasure house of Hindu and Buddhist Sculpture. It dates back
to 8th and 9th centuries. Beautiful images scattered in an area
of about 10 Sq.Km. have been found. The images, terracotta plaques
and sealing found here reflect survival of heterodox creeds and
sects representing both Hinduism and Buddhism. Colossal stone
images of Avolokiteshwar and Narasimha have been found here.
Location: 100 k.m. from Agartala.
Udaipur
The main attractions in Udaipur are Tripura Sundari Temple, popularly
known as MATABARI, one of the 51 pithas of Hindu Puran, Bhuvaneswari
Temple, Gunabati group of Temples, Vast Lakes with scenic beauty.
Location: 55 k.m. from Agartala.
Tripura Sundari Temple
This temple is one of the 51 pithasthans in India as per Hindu
mythology. As per mythology, Lord Vishnu had cut off the body
of Mata Sati into 51 pieces by Sudarshana Chakra and all these
pieces fell at different places throughout the country and these
places are known as pithasthans. It is said that 'right foot'
of Mata Sati fell at Matabari.
This pithasthan
is also known as Kurma Pith because the shape of the temple premises
resembles to that of "Kurma" namely tortoise. Inside
the temple, the idol of Maa Kali is kept which is made of 'reddish
black Kastic pathar.' Maa Kali is worshipped in her 'Soroshi'
form in this temple. There is an idol of smaller size of Maa Kali
called 'Chotto Maa 'and this image used to be carried by Maharajas
of Tripura during "Mrigaya" namely hunting and also
during war.
The temple
consists of square type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut type
structure with a conical dome. The temple was constructed in 1501
A.D. by the then Maharaja Dhanya Manikya.
In the eastern
side of the temple there is a famous Kalyan Sagar where fishes
and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with
"muri" and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the
Kalyan Sagar.
Every year
on Dewali, a famous Mela takes place near the temple which is
visited by more than two lakhs pilgrims.
Location: 55 k.m. from Agartala. 3 k.m. away from Udaipur,
district headquarter of South Tripura District.
Neermahal
This magnificent lake palace was constructed as a summer resort
in 1930 by late Maharaja Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in
the middle of a natural lake called Rudrasagar having an area
of 5.35 Sq.Km. The construction was undertaken by Martin &
Burn Co. and it is the only lake palace in the entire eastern
India.
A good combination
of Hindu and Mughal architecture is noticed on the domes of the
palace. There are mainly two parts of the palace - one on the
western side known as Andar Mahal which was used by the royal
family and another on the eastern side which was used for the
security personnel and servants. There are 15 rooms in the main
Andar Mahal. There is a beautiful garden laid in the western side
of the palace. In the garden there is an open stage where drama,
theatre, etc. use to be organised.
Maharajas
used to go by motor boat to the palace from Rajghat. There is
a motor boat ghat inside the palace upto which the motor boat
could go and there are two ,stairs at the motor boat ghat - one
for Maharaja and one for Maharani.
Flood lighting
of the palace has been arranged in the evening. In addition, water
sports facilities are being extended. The palace is going to be
renovated and a museum depicting the royal life style will be
set up inside the palace. In addition Light & Sound show on
the historical past and cultural heritage of Tripura will be organised
in the palace. In water number of migratory birds are found in
the lake surrounding Neermahal.
Location: 53 k.m. from Agartala.
Jampui Hill
The permanent seat of eternal spring is situated at an altitude
of 3000’ above sea level. Jampui is famous for its charming
landscape and bracing climate. The excellent climatic condition,
green forests, beautiful orange garden, view of raising and setting
sun are wonderful sight for tourists.
The hill range
has 11 villages inhabited by Mizo (Lushai tribes) and also by
Reang tribes. Population of the hill range is about 8,000 and
the main occupation of the villagers is orange cultivation.
The temperature
variation in the hill range is very nominal in all seasons and
is ideal for the purpose of tourism. Different seasons offer different
pleasures to the tourists at Jampui hill. During October to December
the orange trees are laden with fruits and the entire hill range
looks orange coloured. During March to May various species of
orchids and other wild trees bear flowers. During rainy season
the hill range is full of clouds and one can have the feeling
of walking in the clouds.
The Lushai
tribes mainly inhabited in the hill range have a very strikingly
distinct cultural identity. They are quite well-off people having
neat and clean houses well equipped with modern amenities. Most
of them speak English fluently and follow Christianity.
The sun rise
and sun set in the hill range is a delight worth seeing. The natural
beauty, the pleasant weather, various species of trees, orchids
and orange gardens, hospitable people and rich cultural heritage
makes it an ideal destination for the tourists.
There is an
‘Eden’ Tourist Lodge in Vangmun village where tourists
can go and stay comfortably. In addition, local people offer paying
guest accommodation to the visiting tourists which enable them
to closely understand the life and culture of the Lushai tribes.
After withdrawal
of Restricted Area Permit for the foreign nationals, the hill
range is attracting a large number of foreign tourists. The highest
peak of Tripura ‘Betalongchhip’ falls in this hill range
which is 3600 feet high and from where tourist can see the panoramic
view of Mizoram, Chittagong hill tracts and various other hill
ranges of Tripura. There are good trekking routes in the hill
range for tourists. State Government is planning to develop village
tourism in Jampui hill and sports complex and cultural complex
will be constructed shortly.
Location: 250 k.m. from Agartala.
Bhuvaneswari Temple
On the right bank of river Gomati at Udaipur is found the
ruins of a big palace built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya (1660-75
A.D.). The Bhuveneswari temple is situated adjacent to this palace.
It finds close literary reference in Great poet Rabindranath Tagore’s
novels and drama namely ‘Bisharjan’ and ‘Rajarshi’
Location: 55 k.m. from Agartala.
Sepahijala
Sepahijala is covering an area of 18.532 km. More than 150
species of residential birds, migratory birds, orchid garden,
boating facilities, wild life, botanical garden, zoo, elephant
joy-rides, rubber and coffee plantation attracts the visitors.The
famous spectacled monkey is found here.
Location: 25 k.m. from Agartala on Agartala-Udaipur main
road.
Kamalasagar
Vast lake at the border of Bangladesh was excavated by Maharaja
Dhanya Manikya in 15th century. On the bank of Kamalasagar, there
is a famous temple of Goddess Kali dating back to 16th century.
It is one of the excellent picnic spots in the statewith scenic
beauty.
Location: 30 k.m. from Agartala.
Deotamura
Deotamura is famous for its panels of rock carvings on the steep
mountain wall on the bank of Gomati. There are huge images carved
of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartika, Mahisasur Mardini Durga and other gods
and goddesses. This is also called Chabimura. These images date
back to 15th-16th centuries.
Location: 75 k.m. from Agartala.
Dumboor Lake
A water area of 41 sq.km. with an un-ending spell of luxuriant
green vegetation all around stands majestic for her exceedingly
charming beauty and 48 islands in the midst of the lake. Migratory
birds, Water sports facilities are additional attractions. There
is a Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati originates
and this is called Tirthamukh where on 14th January every year
famous 'Pous Sankranti Mela' takes place. The lake is the confluence
of rivers Raima and Sarma. Various species of migratory birds
are noticed in the winter and it has rich reservoir of natural
and cultured fishes.
Location: 120 k.m. from Agartala.
Rudrasagar Lake
Rudrasagar lake, about 55 Km. away from Agartala near Melaghar
having 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. The lake witnesses a large number of migratory birds
in every winter. Every year a boat race is organised in July/August.
The visiting tourists can enjoy boating facility in the lake.
Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary
Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary is located at about 100 Km. away from
Agartala in Belonia Subdivision of South Tripura District. Bison
is the main attraction in this sanctuary, in addition to the resident
and migratory birds.
