Pic credit: Unakoti Sculptures
Tripura- The Road Less Travelled
Sprinkled with the colours of art, history and tradition, Tripura is blessed with nature’s undisturbed charm. To begin with let’s check some interesting facts about Tripura.
1) Only one national highway, NH44 connects Tripura to the rest of India.
2) Tripura is the third smallest Indian state after Goa and Sikkim.
3) More than half the area of Tripura is covered with forests.
4) Tripura is one of the most literate states of India with a literacy rate of about 88%.
5) The distance between Tripura and Kolkata was 350 km before the partition of India which was increased to 1700 km after partition.
6) Tripura got its name from ‘Tripura Sundari’ temple in Udaipur.
7) Tripura is world-famous for bamboo products, wooden carvings and hand-woven cloth.
8) Tripura is home to world-famous heritage sites in Unakoti, Pilak and Devtamura.
Pic credit : Location of Tripura in India
Things to do in Tripura
Traditional practices mixed with modern culture gives a unique recognition to Tripura. The state boasts of gigantic sculptures of Hindu deities that have been chiselled out of the hill and that are believed to date back to between the 8th and 9th centuries. Bamboo carvings, religious celebrations, local dance and music attract tourists from all over the world.
Tripura State Museum
Pic credit: Tripura State Museum
Situated in Agartala, Ujjayanta Palace that was once the palace of the kingdom of Tripura is now the State Museum. The palace stands tall on the banks of two lakes surrounded by gardens. The impressive galleries of The State Museum showcase art, culture, lifestyle, tradition and craft work of northeast India.
Akhaura Border Post
Pic credit: The Border Post Between India and Bangladesh in Akhaura
Akhaura, the India-Bangladesh border is famous as the Wagah of the East. In the beating retreat, flags of the two countries are lowered with a mutually coordinated performance.
Agartala-Akhaura check post is the second largest trading centre with Bangladesh after Benapole and Petrapole in WB. Not only a big trading point between India and Bangladesh, but Akhaura border is also a famous tourist spot.
Tripura Sundari temple
Pic credit: Tripura Sundari Temple
Tripura Sundari temple is situated in Udaipur, about 55 km from Agartala. It is considered to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. *Shakti Peethas are the places that got enshrined due to the falling of the body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered in Aryavartha in grief. The temple, in the shape of a tortoise is also known as Kurma Peeth. The magnificent ‘Tripura Sundari Temple’ is one of the holiest places in India and a popular tourist spot.
Ujjayanta Palace
Pic credit: Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala
Ujjayanta Palace was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1900. The palace has three high domes, curved wooden ceiling, beautiful flooring and majestic doors. Mughal-style gardens enhance the beauty of Ujjayanta Palace.
Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary
Pic credit: Walk Through India
Located in Bishalgarh, Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for its clouded leopards. Variety of other animals can be spotted in the dense forests of Agartala.
The sanctuary has an artificial lake and natural botanical gardens.
Pic credit: Unakoti Sculptures
Unakoti Hills
An ancient pilgrimage of Lord Shiva, Unakoti enchants us with rock cravings from 7th century. Natural green environment, rocky mountain backdrop and waterfalls, this is one of the must visit places of India.
The most spectacular feature of Unakoti hills is the 30ft tall head of Lord Shiva, also known as the Unakoteswara Kal Bhairava.
How to Reach Agartala
By Flight:
Agartala airport is connected to the major cities of India through Guwahati and Kolkata.
By Train:
Trains are available to Agartala from Lumding in Assam. Lumding is connected to New Delhi.
Pic credit: Unakoti Lost Hill Of Faces
Thanks for introducing us to Tripura. It seems like such a beautiful and interesting place, I wonder why it is not talked about or visited often.
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Even I also wonder why they don’t write about this wonderful place more often!
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Very beautiful Aditi. Pictures are wonderful. I liked the facts you mentioned at the beginning of the post.
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Thanks Sanjota:)
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Another wonderful post on North East, making me crave more to visit. Love the facts you have shared, a great way to begin the post. Thanks for introducing us to this lovely destination.
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Thanks 😊
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Last year I saw a documentary about Unakoti and wanted to travel there. And these sanctuary, palace and temple got added to my must-visit list. Thanks for sharing this less explored destination.
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Wow…one more beautiful place from NE. I want to be here to see unakoti hills and Akhaura border post.
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Unakoti hills are one of a kind in India. Must visit.
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Good to hear that 👍
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Great post! Isn’t there some major mystery surrounding the Unakoti sculptures? Looking forward to visiting these great places someday!
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You read my thoughts Vijayalakshmi! The mystery around these sculptures is the real beauty and the incentive to travel to the place:)
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It’s a beautiful place to visit!!! loved your article. have heared alot about it.
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Glad to see you loving the write-up:)
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This ones a complete guide to Tripura and let’s us know whatever we want to know of the place before hitting there. Truly a beautiful place
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Agree with you:)
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Beautiful pictures and narration, Aditi. I haven’t been to Tripura, but your post gives me a good reason to visit it.
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Thanks Anshu☺️
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I think one of the biggest achievement of this blog train is how we have explored North East… Great post Aditi!
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Completely agree with you Esha:)
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So far I had read about Tripura only in the textbooks. Thanks for presenting it differently
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Thanks 😊
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Tripura has always fascinated me and I was happy to take a virtual tour of it through your post. Well written and interesting read!
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Thank you Prerna ☺️
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Thanks for introducing us to Tripura. Another lovely place
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Yayy
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