India Travel

Tripura

Tripura is one of the seven states in the north eastern part of India and is is bounded on the north, west, south and south-east by Bangladesh whereas in the east it has a common boundary with Assam and Mizoram. As per common belief the name of the State has originated from "Tripura Sundari" - the presiding deity of the land which is famous as one of the 51 pethos of Hindu Pilgrims. According to another legend, originally the land was known as "Tuipra" meaning a land adjoining the water.

Tourism

Tripura is famous for a large number of temples of Hindus and Buddhists. The most popular of them are Mata Tripureshwari temple at Udaipur, Fourteen Goddess Temple at old Agartala, Bhuveneshwari Temple at Udaipur , Benuban Vihar at Agartala etc. The state also have beautiful rock cut carvings and stone images at Unakoti, Debtamura and Pilak. Excellent variety of handicrafts using bamboo and cane are made by different ethnic groups which have earned great name and fame all over india. The most popular products are Room Divider, Decorated wall panels and unique furniture of cane.

Weather

The Climate of Tripura can be divided into three seasons - Summer, Monsoon and Winters. The period between March to June is wam, while it rains heavily during July to September. The winter stars around the month of October and is chilly and very cold till February.

Places of Tourist Interest

Agartala : The main tourists attractions in Agartala are Ujjayanta Palace, State Museum, Tribal Museum, Sukanta Academy, M.B.B. College, Laxminarayan Temple, Uma Maheswar Temple, Jagannath Temple, Benuban Bihar, Gedu Mian Mosque, Malanch Niwas, Rabindra Kanan, Purbasha, Handicrafts Designing Centre, Fourteen Goddess Temple, Portuguese Church etc.

Ujjayanta Palace : Ujjayanta Palace 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. This palace was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya during 1899-1901.

Kunjaban Palace : A green hillock known as Kunjaban (meaning a bower) for its scenic beauty stands to the north of Ujjayanta palace at a distance of about 1 Km. Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909-1923) selected this beautiful place for building a suburban palace for retreat and constructed a palace in 1917 which was named as ‘Pushbanta Palace’.

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.

Unakoti : Situated 178 k.m. from Agartala, It is Shaiba pilgrimage and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries. Unakoti means one less than a crore and it is said that these many rock cut carvings are available here.

Pilak : This Treasure house of Hindu and Buddhist Sculpture which dates back to 8th and 9th centuries is located 100 k.m. from Agartala.

Festivals & Events

There are a many fairs and festivals which are being celebrated in the State. Almost every tribe in the state have their own dances and festivals, which are celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. Following are some of the most important festivals of Tripura:

Paus-Sankranti Mela : This fair is held near source of the river Gomti which is known as Tirtha Mukh. The festival attracts a large number of devotees from all over the state. Both tribal and non-tribal people assemble every year on the occasion of the Uttarayan Sankranti for a holy dip in the lake.

Buddha Poornima : Lord Buddha's birthday is celebrated on a grand scale every year. Apart from the Buddhists of the state people of all communities enthusiastically take part in this festival.

Ganga Puja : This tribal Puja is held in the month of March-April. About 4 to 5 tribal villages join together build a temple with bamboo just in the middle of the river to perform the Puja. Each tribal family share the expenditure of the Puja.

Ashok Ashtami Fair : Pilgrims from all over the state assemble here to offer Puja to the images of gods and goddesses which are engraved on the hilly rocks.This fair is held every year in the month of April at Unakoti Tirtha of Kailashahar Sub-Division.

Garia Puja : Both men and women from the tribals of Tripura perform Garia Puja on the seventh day of the month of Baisakh to propitiate the deity for blessings.

Doljatra and Rashleela : Doljatra or Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the Manipuri Community of Tripura. Songs of Radha who registers her complaint about the mischief and naughtiness of Krishna and also her great love for the lord of Gokula are sung during the Rashleela festival.

Karchi Puja : This is a weeklong festival celebrated every year in the month of July at Chaturdasha Devta Temple to worship the fourteen gods popularly known as Kharchi Puja occupies the pride of place in Tripura.

Ker Puja : This Puja is performed for the welfare of the State and its people after generally fifteen days Kharchi Puja

Durga Puja : It is celebrated in the month of October and it is one of the most popular festivals in Tripura as in other parts of the country.

Diwali : Diwali festival is celebrated after Durga Puja. On this occasion every year a big fair is held near Matabari in the temple of Tripura Sundari at Udaipur one of the 51 peethas (pilgrimage centres).

When to Go

The best time to visit Tripura is September to March.

Interesting Fact

Tripura galore with innumerable examples of glorification of the art of weaving in the tribal society.The art of weaving occupies a very sacred place in the traditional life of Tripura. In fact in our tribal society no right or ritual is sanctioned unless it is preceded by an worship of 'Riha' the hand-woven breast cover of the family elders.

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