Tucked away in the eastern corner of India, Tripura is a former princely state which is known for its profound cultural heritage, magnificent architectural styles, and enchanting beauty. This beautiful gem of the east is studded with tranquil lakes, rolling hills of smaller altitudes, and hauntingly beautiful temples in addition to being a biodiversity hotspot.
The state has a rich cultural history of housing several tribal kingdoms like the legendary Manikyas and this has resulted in the development of some really breathtaking historical sites. The amalgamation of the native tribal culture with the Bengalis who settled in the plains has led to the formation of a distinct cultural style that mesmerizes many. Avid travelers can soak themselves in the beauty of this state by having the following 7 things to do in Tripura.
7 Things To Do In Tripura
- Celebrate The Orange Festival In The Jampui Hills
- Have A Look At The Ancient Rock Carvings At Unakoti
- Experience The Fairs And Festivals Of Tripura
- Offer Prayers At Maata Baari, Udaipur
- Admire The Fascinating Architectural Style Of The Neermahal
- Try Out The Authentic Local Dishes Of Tripura
- Stroll Through Heritage Park In Agartala
Celebrate The Orange Festival In The Jampui Hills
Located roughly 200 km from Agartala and resting near the border of Mizoram lies the Jampui Hills, the highest hill range in Tripura. The monsoons in these hill ranges are particularly appealing to all kinds of nature lovers. When it rains, the clouds that form around the base of the hills slowly rise up to engulf the entire hills in their misty embrace. Strolling or even driving through the hilly roads provides travelers with an experience of a lifetime.
What attracts tourists the most to Jampui Hills is the charming Orange and Tourism Festival celebrated in the month of November. During these celebrations, the locals put up an exhibition of oranges arranged in the form of popular Indian forts and different types of animals. Tourists can also attend the spectacular fair that sells tea leaves, Tibetan handicrafts, coffee beans, and of course, oranges. Travelers love partaking in the feast and the festivities and this, in turn, boosts the tourism of the state.
Dubbed the ‘Seat of Spring’, Jampui Hills in Tripura are endowed with a picturesque landscape. The sunrise and sunset views from different viewpoints tend to attract a lot of travelers. In fact, the beauty of the sunrises and sunsets is such that it should be on your list of things to do in Tripura, no questions asked! To add to that, the different viewpoints in the hill range also offer a stunning view of the valleys and towns of Tripura as well as Mizoram.
Have A Look At The Ancient Rock Carvings At Unakoti
Unakoti is a religious destination situated roughly 135 km away from Agartala in Tripura’s Kailashahar Subdivision. Known for being one of the greatest heritage sites, it attracts all types of history and culture enthusiasts. What is so special about Unakoti? Well, people from all over the world visit Unakoti to witness the life-sized rock carvings that are etched into the edges of the mountain. In fact, there is an interesting story linked to how Unakoti came into existence.
The word Unakoti translates to one less than a crore and the site got this name as it is believed that there are those many rock carvings here. According to legend, Lord Shiva who was traveling to Kashi along with 1 crore gods as well as goddesses decided to stop for the night at this site. He instructed all of them to wake up before the sunrise and proceed to Kashi. No one woke up early the next day and this enraged Lord Shiva. Bubbling with anger, he cursed all of them to turn into stone sculptures and that’s how these rock carvings came into existence.
Pay a visit to Unakoti and you will get to see beautiful life sized carvings of deities like Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesh, Lord Vishnu, Ravana, etc., etched into the mountainous terrain. Although no one is really sure about how they came into existence, this archaeological gem dates way back to the 7th- 9th centuries CE. The life-sized rock carvings, ancient murals, spectacular landscape that’s studded with stunning waterfalls make Unakoti a gorgeous, dreamy destination.
Experience The Fairs And Festivals Of Tripura
All the tribal as well as non-tribal communities have lived harmoniously in Tripura and their contributions have given birth to a distinct and diverse culture of Tripura. The lively spirit of these communities is reflected in their variety of arts like the Hojagiri dance (traditionally performed by the Reang Tribe) and Manasa Mangal or Kirtan which are essentially musical recitations (performed by non-tribal communities). For centuries, the royal family of Tripura has encouraged and patronized indigenous arts and culture.
Celebrating Tripura’s festivals alongside the locals is the best way to get acquainted with the multi-faceted culture of Tripura. One of the festivals you shouldn’t miss out on is the Durga Pooja. Celebrating the victory of good over evil, this festival is considered to be equally important in West Bengal as well as Tripura. The festival is a visual treat accompanied by a vibrant, positive atmosphere. The stunning pandals created by the exceptionally skilled local artists are something to look out for when you celebrate the festival (celebrated in October-November).
Other festivals one shouldn’t miss out on when traveling in Tripura include the Garia festival (celebrated in April) that celebrates devotion as well as prosperity, Buddha Purnima (in April), which marks the birth of Lord Buddha and the Kharchi festival (celebrated in July) that honors the cultural confluence in Tripura.
Offer Prayers At Maata Baari, Udaipur
Many people visit Tripura with the sole purpose of offering prayers to the temple that seats Tripura Sundari Devi. Such is the beauty of the temple that even non-believers shouldn’t miss out on paying a visit to the Tripureswari Temple. Located about 53 km away from Agartala city, this temple, also known as Maata Baari attracts all sorts of travelers.
Tripureswari Temple in Udaipur (not to be confused with the city of the same name in Rajasthan) is a sacred site for all Hindus as it is actually one of the most popular Shakti Peethas (temples with the greatest divine energies) in the country. The priests perform the daily rituals and offer prayers to the goddess in the innermost sanctum of the temple. The visitors then walk around and spend some time at the large pond (just behind the temple) where they can actually feed the fish.
Walk around the temple complex and you will find a few shops that sell all the essential things like flowers and garlands that are required for the pooja . The locals believe that each and every devotee must offer the pera (a sweet) to the goddess and ask her for her blessings. Along with that, you must also offer the holy red thread to the goddess and then tie the same thread around your wrist for your wellbeing. Unlike the other Shakti Peethas in this country, this temple is generally not very crowded, especially during the off-season. That’s how you can offer your prayers peacefully without having to worry about the wild temple crowds.
Admire The Fascinating Architectural Style Of The Neermahal
After paying your respects to the goddess at the temple of Tripureshwari, it’s time for you to explore the beauty of Neermahal or the ‘Water Palace’. This palace is located right in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake and those who want to pay a visit get to go for a boat ride. The fact that it is only reachable by boat excites a lot of tourists.
The Neermahal served as the royal residence of Tripura’s monarch in the early 20th century. Despite the huge passage of time, the palace looks great and astounds all those who visit it. The architectural style used to construct the palace is a gorgeous confluence between traditional Hindu and Muslim architecture.
The western part of the palace was used for the residence of the royal family. Meanwhile, the eastern part of the palace consisted of a beautiful open theatre for entertainment activities. The artists utilized this space to perform dramas, dances, and music of various genres. If you walk up to the roof, you will notice a few dome-like structures and an open garden where you can relax and spend some time. Neermahal in Tripura is a great spot for all the history buffs as well as those who want to sit back and have a nice time with their families or friends.
Try Out The Authentic Local Dishes Of Tripura
Whenever you travel to a new place, not trying out the local cuisine is a senseless thing to do. Although the cuisine serves both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian dishes, the people of Tripura love meat which makes this state a haven for meat lovers. Agartala in Tripura is known for offering a wild variety of lip-smacking dishes to all the foodies.
Visit the local eateries and taste Moi Borok which is one of the most popular local dishes. Made from fermented, dried fish that tastes sour, it has remained a favorite of both locals as well as tourists for many years.
Apart from that, don’t forget to taste bamboo shoot pickle, Mosdeng Serma, Wahan Mosdeng, Bangui rice, fish stew, etc., which are considered to be the staple food items of the state. To add to that, the food culture in Tripura has also been influenced by the Bangladeshi and Chinese cuisines so don’t be surprised to find authentic Chinese and Bangladeshi food on your plate when you are in Tripura.
Stroll Through Heritage Park In Agartala
Spanning across 4 hectares of land, Heritage Park is said to be the first heritage park in Northeast India. The park has been cleverly designed to offer visitors a quick glance at the heritage, wildlife, arts, and cultural legacy of Tripura. Separated into three parts, each part of the park represents an important aspect of Tripura.
The first part lets you sneak a peek into a miniature version of Tripura, the second part consists of a beautiful natural forest, and the third part is devoted to medicinal plants, shrubs, and herbs of various types. What mainly attracts people to this park are the 11 miniature models of the famous sites (for example, Unakoti and Neermahal) of Tripura along with the tiny versions of the roads and railway lines that run close to the mountainous regions.
While strolling through the park, you will notice that there are many eucalyptus and lychee trees scattered around. Wooden and stone artifacts have been placed at various points in the parks. To add to that, the visitors can also witness several cultural events that are organized in the Amphitheatre that’s located in the park. All in all, Heritage Park lets you catch a glimpse of the grandiosity of Tripura and the serene, verdant surroundings engulf your mind with peace and calm.
FAQs
What Is Agartala Famous For?
Agartala is famed for its majestic palaces, beautiful temples, the rich cultural legacy of the Manikya Kings as well its ties to Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Not only this, but the locally hand-woven shawls, textiles, and traditional bamboo handicrafts have made Agartala extremely famous.
Is Tripura And Assam Same?
Tripura is an independent state that shares its borders with Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam.
When Did Tripura Join India?
Tripura became part of India on October 15 1949. Here’s a little nugget of knowledge for you to chew on.
