Tripura - Cultural Synthesis

The beauty of the erstwhile princely state of Tripura stems from the splendour of its natural setting and its dazzling heritages. No great peaks punctuate the skies, nor are its major rivers such as the Khowai, Manu and Gomti any match for the mighty Brahmaputra. Yet its verdant expanses and rich forestlands have been a great attraction to people down the centuries and for tourists down the decades it offers a plethora of delightful attractions in its cavalcade of historic palaces, rock cut carvings, stone sculptures, Buddhist and Hindu holy places, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal people. Poet laureate Rabindranath Tagore, an honoured guest found its pollution-free, eco-friendly environment, pleasant climate and tranquility the perfect retreat to compile some of his works here. Blending into the hills and valleys, the villages are a tapestry of rich ethnic traditions.

A series of low ranges running in a northwest to southwest direction dissect the state, with elevations progressing gradually from 100 ft – 3000 ft from southwest to northeast. Bangladesh with whom the state had deep linkages before India’s partition is tucked around it from three sides.

On the 19 hill tribes who dominate its terrain, the Tripuris are the largest while the Reangs, who came in from Chittagong, are the second largest amongst the tribes living in the state. Other tribes include the Jamatia, Noatia, Darlong, Halam, Garo, Chakma and Kalai.

For the visitor, Tripura (One of the relatively unknown holiday destinations of North East) is a bundle full of surprises. Its cross-cultural ethnic diversity, its ancient temples, its cross-cultural ethnic diversity, its ancient temples, its vast tracts of natural beauty and its rich tradition of handicrafts are tempting enough to draw the discerning holiday maker.

Famous Cities in Tripura

Agartala	Deotamura	Kumarghat
Pilak	Udaipur	Unakoti
Jampui Hills	Dumboor Lake

Tourist Attractions in Tripura

Kamalasagar Lake : Maharaja Kalyan Manikya initiated the excavations of Lake Kamalasagar, 27 km from Agartala. There’s a popular 16th century Kali Temple on the edge of the lake.

Neermahal Water Palace : 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.

Bhubaneswari Temple : Bhubaneswari Temple – one of the oldest temples in the state. Bengal’s most famous luminary, the Poet Laureate Rabindranath Tagore in his famous drama Bisrajan and his novel Rajarshi, immortalized the temple. The site is a great attraction for tourists from Bangladesh and West Bengal.

Matabari Temple : Matabari (Mother Goddess) is regarded as one of the 51 piths (holy sites) of Hindu pilgrimage. Goddess Tripurasundari is an avatar of Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva, the principal deity of the state.

Mahamuni : Famous for its ancient Buddhist temple, Mahamuni lies 150 km from Agartala. The temple draws Buddhist pilgrims from as far off as Thailand, Myanmar and Sri Lanka apart from those nearer home from Bangladesh.

Ujjayanta Palace : The palace is located in the heart of capital city Agartala. This palace was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur in 1901. This palace is decorated with tour of Mughal style garden.

Tripura Govt. Museum : Tripura Government Museum is located in capital city Agartala and established in 1970. This museum have some of the rare stone images, old coins, archaeological articles from Tripura.

Wildlife in Tripura

Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary : The vast colony of residential and migratory birds makes Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary a lively attraction for birdwatchers. Just 30 km away from Agartala, it covers an area of 18.53 sq km. In addition to this, its orchid garden and botanical garden unfailingly lure the visitors who come to enjoy a spin around the lake in a boat or take a joy ride in the toy train. It’s ideally located to soak in those spectacular views of the coffee and rubber plantations. There are a few tourist cottages in the sanctuary.

Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary : The bison and great residential and migratory bird population are the great attraction for visitors at the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, situated about 100 km from Agartala. It is also home to the Hoolock Gibbon, Golden Langoor and Capped Langoor.

Fair and Festivals in Tripura

Kharchi Puja: Both tribal and non-tribal communities celebrate the seven-day Kharchi Puja festival with great vigour. The fourteen goddesses are worshipped in July every year at a venue close to Agartala.

Garia Puja: The tribal people of Tripura celebrate Garia Puja on the seventh day of the month of Baisakh, which falls in the month of April. The puja ends with dancing and singing.

Diwali: Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Tripura, but its celebrations are most colourful at the Tripurasundari Temple near Udaipur. A big Mela is held followed by a cultural programme during mid Kartik (October-November).

Pous Sankranti: The great Pous Sankranti Mela, held annually at Tirthamukh, attracts hosts of devotees from Tripura’s neighbouring states as well. The Gomati River becomes the focal point of Uttarayan Sankranti on 14th January. Thousands of people from all tribal and non-tribal communities converge on Tirthamukh, the birthplace of the river, to take a holy dip.

Ashokastami Fair : Unakoti is the delightful venue of the annual Ashokastami Fair held in March/April.

Durga Puja : The Goddess Durga is worshipped in the state for 4 days during September/October with pomp and gaiety. Shopping sprees and fun mark the occasion. Large pandals, lavishly decorated are raised for the Durga Puja.

Orange & Tourism Festival: The orange harvest is the scene for the colourful Orange & Tourism Festival held every year on the Jampui Hills during the month of November. Jampui Hill is the only hill station in Tripura where the succulent fruit grow so bountifully.

Boat Race: The Rudrasagar Lake becomes a beehive of activity during the colourful Boat Race organized annually by the Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism Department.

Shopping in Tripura

To buy some of Tripura’s famous cane and bamboo craft, pop into Purbasha, in Agartala, an outlet of Tripura Handicraft and Handlooms Development Corporation. Tantumita is also famous for traditional handlooms. Apart from these, check out the many private shops on Akhaura Road for excellent choice of Tripura Handicrafts.

How to reach Tripura

By Air: Nearest Airport: Agartala (About 12 km from the city centre). Agartala is served by Indian Airlines flights from Guwahati (40 minutes), Kolkata (50 minutes), and Silchar (35 minutes). Taxis and auto-rickshaws are available.

Helicopter Services : Helicopter service linking Agratala to Kailashahar and Dharamanagar is available.

By Rail: Nearest Railhead: Manughat/Kumarghat (on N.F. Railway station, 120 km). One can reach Kumarghat from Guwahati via Lumding in Assam. Trains: Brahmaputra Mail, Kamrup Express, Barak Valley Express and Cachar Express run to Lumding (Assam). Passenger trains from Lumdings to Kumarghat take about 10 hrs.

By Road: NH 44 originates form Agartala and goes northeast across Tripura into Assam, enters Meghalaya and joins NH 40 near Shillong. Buses are available from Guwahati to Agartala round the clock.