WHY TO EXPLORE INDIA’S NORTH EASTERN STATE TRIPURA

WHY EXPLORE INDIA’S NORTHEASTERN STATE TRIPURA

Tripura is a cultural reservoir among all the northeastern states of India. Temples going back hundreds of year’s heritage and historical sites, wildlife destinations, and a thriving arts and crafts industry are the most popular tourist attractions in Tripura.

CAPITAL: AGARTALA LOCATION: NORTH EAST INDIA

BIODIVERSITY OF TRIPURA

Those looking for biodiversity hotspots during their Tripura holidays will not be disappointed; this state has plenty of those. Tripura is one of those travel destinations in India that attract families, friends, couples, and solo travelers.
The primary mandate of the Tripura Biodiversity Board (TBB) is to advise the departments of the state government on any matter concerning the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resource and knowledge

DIFFERENT PLACES TO EXPLORE TRIPURA

UJJAYANTA PALACE

One of the top tourist attractions in Tripura is its heritage sites. The foremost among these is the Ujjayanta Palace; a gleaming white structure stretched out leisurely in the heart of the city of Agartala.
Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya built it in 1901 AD. It was the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore who gave this palace its name.

NEERMAHAL

Neermahal, which means the water palace. In terms of design and architecture, it bears a strong resemblance to the Jag Niwas Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
A major attraction inside it is Darbar Hall. The lake adjacent to the palace is visited by a variety of residents as well as migratory birds.
Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya built it in 1930 AD to serve as his summer residence.

MATABARI, OR THE TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE

Built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501 AD, it sits on top of a hill and is particularly revered as one of the 51 Peethas or centers of worship and submission.
The temple's main deity is Goddess Tripura Sundari, who is revered as an avatar of Goddess Parvati.
The lake behind the temples does much to enhance its beauty. There are tortoises in the lake, and these, too, enjoy as much attention and respect as the deities inside the temple.
Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm in this temple.

THE CHATURDASHI DEVTA TEMPLE

The Chaturdashi Devta Temple, or the Temple of Fourteen Gods, located in Khayerpur, West Tripura, is another popular tourist destination in Tripura.
The temple is associated with several legends from the great Hindu mythological epic, Mahabharata.
A special feature of the temple is the statues of the gods, which display only the heads rather than the full body.

KASBA KALI TEMPLE

Kasba Kali Temple in the Sepahijala district is another temple that is great for a religious experience and sightseeing.
Like so many other temples, this too was built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in the 15th century.
The presiding deity is that of Goddess Durga, who is worshipped in the form of Goddess Kali slaying the demon Mahishasura seated on a buffalo.
The temple is famous, among other things, for a large fair which is held in April and attracts hundreds of devotees.

THE UNAKOTI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

Apart from temples and monuments, archaeological sites are another reason for visiting Tripura; the most famous is at Unakoti, known as the Unakoti Archaeological Site.
Incredible rock carvings, murals, and the amazing waterfall. Scattered over a slope at regular intervals, their beauty is enhanced by the lush greenery surrounding them.
Two major attractions here are the gigantic Shiva head and the Ganesha statue. This place also hosts an annual fair known as Ashokastami Mela, which draws many pilgrims.

PILAK ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Pilak Archaeological Sites are also quite famous. Dating back to the 8th to 9th centuries, they are dotted with both Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.
The images of Ganesha, Durga, and Surya, enjoy dominance. It also hosts the Pilak Festival every year in December.

SEPAHIJALA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

As a wildlife enthusiast, Tripura will not disappoint you, as the state is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
The most famous of these is the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna.
Various kinds of primates can be spotted at this wildlife sanctuary, from capped langur to spectacled monkeys.
Different kinds of animals found include clouded leopards, jungle fowl, barking deer, and wild pig.
Another wildlife sanctuary that is a must-visit during your visit to Tripura is the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary. The primary attraction of this sanctuary is the Indian Bison, also known as the Gaur.
Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary, located in North Tripura, is famous for its migratory birds.
While Gomti Wildlife Sanctuary also houses many animals, including sambar, barking deer, elephants, serow, and wild goat.
Two nature parks where you can enjoy the company of nature are Baramura Eco Park and Kalapana Nature Park.
If you enjoy boating, then head over to Dumboor Lake, located in the Dhalai district. It is called Dumboor because it resembles the “Nambour” of Lord Shiva.
During winters, the lake is visited by several varieties of migratory birds. It is also home to around 48 islets.
Another prominent tourist attraction is the Saniya Waterfalls in the Dhaka district. This place affords sweeping views of the Kamalpur Valley from a particular hilltop.
No sooner do you come upon a crossing than you meet the waterfall. It is a sight to watch as the water crashes into the rocks below, and its sound reverberates throughout the forest.
After enjoying some time at the waterfall, you can explore the tribal lifestyle of the Reang tribes, who are quite famous for their bamboo handicrafts.