Tripura: Rich in art and culture, the land of nineteen tribes

Rich in gorgeous landscapes, crystalline waterfalls, awe-inspiring mountains, dense forests, and a generous sprinkling of history and tradition, Tripura is a popular tourist destination situated in North-East India. This land-locked state nestled at the foot of the Himalayan mountains has a long historical legacy behind it; Tripura was once home to the famous Manikya tribe, which resulted in the conception of a plethora of varied archaeological monuments and structures in the state, all of which attest to the rich cultural and traditional past of Tripura.

The state exhibits a unique blend of traditional tribal culture with a little more modern Bengali culture, giving rise to a harmonious cultural ambience that you will not find anywhere else in the country. Tripura is more than just its breathtaking beauty; it is an illustration of a long and varied legacy of history and tradition, thus promising you a holiday you won’t forget anytime soon.

Rich in art and culture, the land of nineteen tribes, Tripura is situated in the lush green hills and blessed with natural beauty and picturesque locations which attract tourists from all over the world. The religious festivals, colorful costumes, artistic cane and bamboo products, multi-linguistic people and delicious food, memorable sightseeing, adventurous trekking and lively shopping experience- There is nothing that Tripura lacks and will regenerate and rejuvenate your soul and spirit.

Places to visit

Agartala: Home to the Manikya Kings in the past, Agartala is the perfect mix of natural beauty combined with diverse and rich culture.

Agartala is not just all flowers and valleys but also has a cultural richness with the diversity of people that stay here along with the historical and religious monuments. The capital of Tripura manages to create its culture and personality out of the coming together of stories of all those who reside here and give it a hue of their own culture. The most developed city in the state, it is still a far cry from the metros and hence maintains the best of both worlds.

Kailashahar: A well-liked tourist town near Agartala, Kailashahar was once the capital of Tripuran kingdom and evidence of its royal history can be still seen here.

It is a town, which gets a major part of it identity from a royal and significant past, the tints of which can still be seen around the town. Kailashahar is not only famous for its temples but is also as a popular trekking destination. The 16 tea estates are also a must see. The other attractions of the area include Unakoti, Rangauti, 14 Deities Temple and more.

Unakoti: A prime tourist spot in Tripura, Unakoti is an ancient pilgrimage center, attracting tourists and devotees from far and wide.

Unakoti is where India’s heritage stores its carvings and sculptures of gods and goddesses. For such a storehouse of religious and spiritual importance, it is only justified that the place also be the house to lush green flora and full of natural beauty. Many of the rock carvings here depict the life of Lord Shiva as well as other instances from the Hindu Mythology. Sculptures of the Nandi Bull, Lord Ram, Lord Ganesha, Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganpati can also be seen here Unakoti also makes a good place for hiking, trekking and other activities given the terrain and the natural offerings of the area.

Bison (Rajbari) National Park: Bison (Rajbari) National Park, Tripura Overview

Situated in the Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary, the Rajbari National Park is one of India’s well-known National Parks. It is located at Tripura, India. The park is spread over a whopping 31.63 square kilometers. Visiting this park would prove to be a visual treat to its visitors.

The Rich Biodiversity: The park is very famous across the country owing to its picturesque surroundings. It is one of the many places in India where one could witness Mother Nature at her best. One can expect to come across various wild animals including the world-famous Indian Gaur (also known as bison), deer, Golden langurs, Pheasants, and many such endearing species. The Bison reserve was entrenched in the Sanctuary to protect the endangered species.

With the establishment of this reserve, the primary goal was to restore the natural living habitat of the Bison and strengthening laws put forth for the protection of them from poachers. The park receives plenty of water from the many rivulets and water bodies situated in the sanctuary. This supply for water ensures a regular and constant supply for nourishment to the plant and animal species. Besides, one can rejoice the sight of many plant and bird species. It is also extremely abundant in forest reserves and is credited as one of the most conservative reserves that boast of rich biodiversity.

Rudrasagar Lake: Located in the Melaghar block in Sipahijala district of Tripura, Rudrasagar is a picturesque lake that has lately been recognized as one of the wetlands of national importance for the conservation of resources and their sustainable use, by the Government of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forest. Also known as Rudijala, three rivers named Noacherra, Kemrali Cherra and Durlavnaraya form the lake. Boasting of utter serenity and tranquility, the lake is a popular tourist spot in the region. The highlight of the lake is also the magnificent Neermahal, which is situated at the north-east bank of the lake. Built in 1930, the palace exudes timeless charm.

Ambassa: Located in the youngest district in the state of Tripura in Dhalai, Ambassa is a quiet little town mainly popular for its several temples and pleasant surroundings. Initially a hilly area, which was covered in dense woods, the forests were cleared to create the district only recently in 1995. Boasting of picturesque surroundings and ample of natural resources, the town has not only become a popular tourist spot but also has earned fame for being extremely resourceful. Another important thing about Ambassa is that it is inhabited by tribes that mainly live on houses built on platforms. Other residents have mostly migrated from India and Bangladesh.

Neermahal: ‘The Lake Palace of Tripura’ or the Neermahal is the largest palace of its kind in the entire Indian Subcontinent. This architectural beauty rightly derives its name from its location, i.e. the middle of Rudrasagar Lake. It is one of the two water palaces that our country has. The former royal palace is an outcome of King Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur’s great perspective. It was the summer palace for king and his family. Even today, its highly ornate structure showcases the glorious past. The surrounding lawns and flowerbeds add seven stars to the beauty of this place.

The evenings at Neermahal are spent watching the light and sound show. It makes people familiar with the cultural heritage of the place and its owners. The historicity comes with a tint of adventure too. Yes, the palace premises also include some water sports activities. This makes it a perfect combination of antiquity and thrill. Moreover, the palace has even gained fame for its ‘Neermahal Water Festival.’ A huge flock of people visit the mahal only to take part in the boat races organized by the board. This architectural marvel has a lot to give to its visitors. Therefore, whenever in Agartala make sure to turn your ways towards this gem of North-East.

Best time to visit Tripura

Winter is the best season to visit this state since the temperature is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing in the towns and to witness the beautiful natural wonders. It is best to avoid the monsoon since this state receives heavy rainfall and may result in loss of road connectivity leaving tourists stranded.

HOW TO REACH TRIPURA

BY AIR

The Agartala airport in Tripura is the nearest airport. At a distance of 5mins from Agartala. This airport is connected to Kolkata and Guwahati by direct flights. One can get a taxi or an auto to reach the destination.

BY TRAIN

The nearest railway station is Kumarghat, which is 140kms away from Tripura. The Kumarghat station is connected to the railheads of Kolkata, Delhi, Indore, Chennai and Bangalore. Taxis are available near the station to reach Tripura.

BY ROAD

Agartala is 44 Kms from Teliamura, 109 Kms from Manu, 133 Kms from Kumarghat, 295 Kms from Silchar, 300 Kms from Aizawl, 313 Kms from Dwarband, 459 Kms from Shillong, 557 Kms from Imphal, 558 Kms from Guwahati. There are state and private buses to ply a decent service to the visitors.