Neermahal in Tripura is an architectural marvel, standing within the picturesque Rudrasagar Lake. Tripura, despite such beautiful attractions and natural beauty, remains an underrated travel destination within India. However, with the Neermahal Festival 2025 about to occur from September 12 to September 14, 2025, it is expected that many visitors will attend the festival, particularly to attend the boat race and other water activities. So, if this got you excited, here’s more information about the Neermahal Festival 2025.
Neermahal Festival 2025: Tripura’s Grand Celebration In Agartala
About Neermahal Palace
Against the clear blue waters of the glistening Rudrasagar Lake sits a pearl-white facade – the Neermahal that is about 53 to 55 km away from Agartala. Translated literally to the ‘Palace of Water’, Neermahal was built in 1930 by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya as his summer retreat.
The entire structure stands on the expansive Rudrasagar Lake. With a facade made entirely of marble, Neermahal is built in a fusion of Indo-Mughal architecture, adorned with pillars, windows, and other architectural elements.
Brief Overview Of The Neermahal Festival In Tripura
Neermahal Festival Tripura, also called the Neermahal Water Festival, is one of the most famous festivals of Tripura, occurring in August/September each year. In 2025, the festival will take place from September 12 to September 14 over the course of three days.
During these three days, a variety of cultural events are organized, from enthralling boat races to swimming competitions, there are plenty of exciting events organized in the Neermahal Festival.
In 2025, the festival will be held at the Rajghat Mukta Mancha near the iconic Neermahal in Melaghar. The Tripura Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC), Sepahijala District Administration, and Melaghar Municipal Council will jointly collaborate to organize Neermahal Festival 2025.
Events At The Neermahal Water Festival
The Neermahal Water Festival is a three-day celebration of culture, sports, and heritage. It features exciting events and cultural programs highlighting Tripura’s rich history and heritage. On the first two days, i.e. September 12-13, the festival will host a state-level Manasa Mangal Competitions – an array of cultural events and competitions that likely involve storytelling related to the Bengali literary work ‘Manasa Mangal Kavya’.
September 14 will see a group sub-district yoga competition in the morning, followed by a state-level swimming competition in the Rudrasagar Lake. After the swimming competition, Neermahal Festival will witness its most exciting event – the boat racing competition!
Every evening, there will be a host of cultural programs hosted on an open-air stage, complete with dazzling lights, fireworks, and a festive atmosphere.
Neermahal Festival Boat Race In Tripura
The boat racing event at the end of the third day of the Neermahal Water Festival is the most captivating annual highlight of the festival. This is a highly anticipated event, attracting locals and tourists from many parts of Tripura as well as neighboring states.
Vibrantly decorated boats swiftly glide across the shimmering golden-blue waters of the Rudrasagar Lake just when the noon and dusk start melting into each other. It is a thrilling experience to watch this boat race spectacle as different teams go head-to-head in the Rudrasagar Lake.
The competition began as a contest dominated by male fishermen, but has evolved into a more inclusive competition over the years. Today, participants from all walks of life and backgrounds. The event is an inclusive celebration where tradition meets modernity.
Neermahal Water Festival’s boat race competition is an event that tests the skills and determination of its participants. While there are more male participants in the event, more and more female participants are taking part in the boat race. The boat race event is accompanied by the sound of drums and the atmosphere turns into a rhythmic, cheery, and energetic one within no time.
What once began as a contest dominated by male fishermen has evolved into a more inclusive celebration, where participants from diverse backgrounds, including an increasing number of women, come together to showcase their skills and determination. The event is a testament to the changing cultural landscape, where tradition meets modernity in an exciting fusion of past and present.
How To Reach Neermahal Palace In Tripura?
By Air
Tripura’s capital city of Agartala is well connected to many major Indian cities. The Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA) in Agartala enjoys decent connectivity to most airports in India. You have both direct and connecting flights taking off from IXA to major airports in Indian cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and a few others.
From the airport, Neermahal Palace is located at a distance of 58 km and it takes about 2 hours to reach the palace from the airport. You can easily find local cabs and taxis from the airport or Agartala city to reach the palace.
By Rail
Agartala has its own railway station that is well connected to many important railway junctions in the Northeast and the Eastern regions of India. The Tripura Sundari Express and Kanchenjunga Express are two popular trains that take you to Tripura. You can board long-distance trains from Kolkata, Puri, Hyderabad, and many other railway junctions in India to Tripura. From the railway station, you can easily book a cab to reach Neermahal Palace that is located at a distance of 45 km.
By Road
Tripura in general enjoys decent road connectivity throughout most of the state. Agartala as the capital city is well connected to many major cities in Tripura and the Northeast. You can hire local cabs and taxis as well as get state-run buses from Agartala to reach Neermahal Palace.
Summing Up
The Boat Race and other events at the Neermahal Festival in Tripura stands as a testament to Tripura’s heritage and culture. Locals and tourists flock each year with enthusiasm to witness the diverse celebrations at the Neermahal Water Festival. With cultural programs, swimming competitions, and boat races, the festival is a great example of how teamwork, tradition, and community building work in harmony.
