Tripura Chapter
7 - 12 Feb 2025
CompletedOverview
Come with us to Tripura, the vibrant Hindu outpost in North East India, where Hindu saints and sculptors went hundreds and hundreds of years ago to inaccessible locations in rainforests and created huge rock-cut sculptures of Śiva, Durgā, Gaṇeśa and other Hindu deities. Come and experience with us, how ancient local gods co-exist with Hindu gods and contemporary sampradayas in a vibrant, exotic and colorful state which is the greatest hidden Hindu secret of North-east. Come to Tripura with Bṛhat Anveṣī.
Come with us to Tripura, the vibrant Hindu outpost in North East India, where saints and sculptors went even hundreds of years ago - to inaccessible locations in rainforests where they created huge rock-cut sculptures of Åiva, DurgÄ, Gaá¹eÅa and other deities. Come and experience with us, how ancient local gods co-exist with Hindu gods and contemporary sampradÄyas in a vibrant, exotic, and colorful state which is the greatest hidden secret of the North-east. Come to Tripura with Bá¹hat Anveṣī.
Highlights
Vibrant blend of Mārgīya and Deśīya traditions with both Śakti Pīṭha and kṣetrīya deity temples.
A state that is one of the famed seven sisters. A land of temples, forests, rivers, lake palaces, and wonderful wetlands.
Famous rock-cut sculptures of Hindu deities like Śiva, Durgā, and Gaṇeśa in dense rainforests.
Sūtradhāra - Your Temple Expert
Pankaj Saxena
Pankaj is an author on Hindu temples, arts, literature, history and culture. His writing explains the beauty of Sanātana Dharma through stories about traditions, communities and culture. He has a deep interest in cultural anthropology, evolutionary biology and ecology, and has visited more than 1600 Hindu temples.
Interested in this chapter?
We do not plan to repeat previously completed chapters in the near future. However, if you have a group of 15–20 interested individuals who'd love to explore this chapter, do write to us. We'd be happy to create a special on-demand Anveṣī experience just for your group.
Temples Covered
Tripura Sundari Temple
Recognized as one of the 51 Śakti Pīṭhas, it is believed that a part of Devī Sati's right foot, including the big toe, fell at this site. Here, Devī is worshipped as Tripurasundarī, alongside Bhairava, who is venerated as Tripureśa. The main shrine, built in 1501 CE by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya of Tripura, is a cubical structure with a three-tiered roof and finial, is built in the traditional Bengali ‘eka-ratna’ architectural style. Popularly called Matabari, the temple rests atop a small hillock shaped like the hump of a tortoise, a form known as Kūrmapṛṣṭhākṛti. This distinctive shape is regarded as one of the holiest for a Śakti temple, earning the temple the title of Kūrma Pīṭha.
Gunabati Group of Temples
The Gunabati Group of Temples, constructed in honor of Maharani Gunabati, exemplifies the distinctive eka-ratna architectural style. These temples are especially renowned for the intricate terracotta reliefs that adorn their walls. These detailed carvings depict scenes from the Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata, and portray everyday life from that era with great finesse. These temples are laid out on a square plan, featuring a single śikhara that rises elegantly above the structure. The central temple stands out with its semi-circular core chamber, while the vestibule is topped with a beautifully crafted lotus-shaped finial, adding to its architectural charm.
Bhubaneswari Temple
One of the oldest temples in Tripura, the Bhubaneswari Temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneśvarī is a fine example of the traditional cāra-calā architectural style of Bengal. Constructed between 1660 and 1665 AD by Maharaja Govinda Manikya, the structure is set on a flat, raised platform, featuring a single arched entrance that leads to the main chamber. The temple’s distinctive design includes a gracefully curved roof crowned with a finial, a hallmark of the cāra-calā style.
Chabimura Rock Cut Sculptures
Chabimura, also known as Chakwrakma or Chakrakma, is famed for its extraordinary rock carvings that adorn the steep mountain walls along the banks of the Gomati River in Tripura. These magnificent carvings, dating back to the 15th-16th centuries, depict a variety of Hindu deities, including Śiva, Viṣṇu, Kārtika, Mahiṣāsuramardinī Durgā, and other divine figures. One of the most famous of these carvings is the figure of Devī Mahiṣāsuramardinī, locally venerated as Chakrak Maa. Surrounded by dense jungle, these deities are etched into the near-vertical rocky faces of Devtamura, with slopes as steep as 90 degrees. Chabimura is accessible only by trekking through thick forests, making the journey to Chabimura as wonderful as the destination itself.
Unakoti Rock Cut Sculptures
Unakoti, an ancient Śaiva pilgrimage site in Tripura, is famed for its impressive rock-cut sculptures dating back to the 8th or 9th century CE. The name Unakoti, meaning "one less than a crore", is tied to a legend where Śiva cursed his companions to turn into stone when they failed to wake up before sunrise, resulting in the creation of these magnificent carvings. The most iconic sculpture is the 30-foot-tall Śiva head, known as ‘Unakotisvara Kaal Bhairava,’ flanked by figures of Durgā and other deities, with several large Nandi bull images found partially buried nearby.
Jagannath Bari
The Jagannath Temple, a prominent religious landmark in Agartala, Tripura, was constructed in the 19th century by the Maharaja of the Manikya Dynasty. Situated within the grounds of Ujjayanta Palace, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu deities Jagannātha, Balabhadra, and Subhadrā. A widely held belief suggests that the Neelamadhava vigraha, now consecrated at the famous Puri Jagannath Temple, was originally donated from the Jagannath Bari Mandir in Tripura. Architecturally, the temple stands out with its octagonal base and vibrant orange walls. Its pillars are crowned with pyramidal conical designs, giving the temple a unique and striking appearance.
Heritage Park
Heritage Park, the largest park in Agartala, Tripura, spans an impressive twelve acres and is renowned for its meticulously maintained landscape and gardens. One of its key attractions is the miniature replicas of major tourist destinations across Tripura, offering visitors a glimpse into the state's rich cultural heritage. The park is thoughtfully divided into three distinct sections: Mini-Tripura, which spans approximately three acres near the entrance; a central area designed as a natural forest; and a flat tableland dedicated to medicinal plants, herbs, and shrubs.
Ujjayanta Palace
Ujjayanta Palace was constructed between 1899 and 1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya as the royal residence for the Tripura royal family. Overlooking the capital city, this grand structure served as the royal seat until India's independence in 1947. Today, it functions as the Ujjayanta Museum, preserving and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region. The palace features a striking blend of Indo-Saracenic and neoclassical architectural styles. Its elegant design, characterized by sprawling courtyards, lush gardens, and intricately detailed interiors, reflects the opulence of the era, making it not only a historical monument but also an architectural marvel in Tripura.
Kasba Kali Bari Temple
The Kamalasagar Kali Temple, perched atop a hill, was built in the late 15th century. Situated near the Bangladesh border from three sides, the temple is beautifully complemented by a kalyāṇī in front, enhancing its serene and picturesque setting. The temple's vigraha, known as Kasbeswari Kali, is a sandstone carving of Goddess Daśabhuja Durgā or Mahiṣāsuramardinī, dating back to the 15th century. Although the vigraha represents Durgā, it is worshiped as Mā Kālī.
Neermahal
Neermahal, also known as Twijilikma Nuyung (meaning "Water Palace"), is a former royal residence of the Tripura Kingdom, built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in 1930. It stands as the largest water palace in India, located in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake, and is the only one of its kind in Eastern India. Neermahal is one of two such palaces in the country, the other being Jal Mahal in Rajasthan. The palace is divided into two sections: the western side, known as Andar Mahal, was reserved for the royal family, while the eastern side featured an open-air theater for cultural performances like drama and dance.
Fourteen Gods’ Temple
The Chaturdasha Temple, is a revered site dedicated to fourteen deities collectively known as the Caturdaśa devatā. According to tradition, the worship of these deities dates back to the Mahābhārata era during the reign of Yudhiṣṭhira. Legend has it that Lord Ṣiva, after the death of King Tripur, promised the king's widow a son and heir on the condition that the worship of the Caturdaśa devatā would be regularly observed in the kingdom.
Tribal Museum
The Tripura State Tribal Museum, situated within the Tribal Research and Cultural Institute in Agartala, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of the state's tribal communities. The museum is divided into various sections, including a Video Wall, Tribal Life Dioramas, Miscellaneous Exhibits, an Auditorium, Touchscreen Kiosks, and dedicated spaces for Natural History, Art and Crafts, Anthropology, Folk Art, and Arms. Its collection features rare sculptures crafted from stone, wood, metal, and terracotta, offering visitors a unique insight into the region's diverse artistic and cultural traditions.
Akhaura Border Parade
Akhaura holds significant historical importance for its role in the 1971 Liberation War, where Indian soldiers secured a pivotal bridge near the Akhaura-Chittagong railway line, defeating East Pakistani forces. This victory played a crucial part in the liberation efforts. Today, the site is renowned for the joint retreat ceremony held at the India-Bangladesh border. Border Security Force soldiers, immaculately dressed in khaki, performing a fast-paced, disciplined march, maintaining perfect posture across the zero line, is a sight to behold.