Tripura is the third smallest state after Goa and Sikkim and is situated in the northeastern region of the Indian Subcontinent. The state of Tripura is considered to be one of the seven sister states in northeast India and is famous for its hill ranges, prevailing valleys, and remarkable biodiversity. However, its rough terrain and geographically disadvantageous location make this state one of the non-prosperous states in India. Also, the state is weakly connected with a single major highway connecting it to the rest of the country. However, several of its tourists attracted destinations fascinate a huge number of tourists to visit this state. Let us now take a look at the history and some of the major cities and tourist destinations in this state.
History of Tripura
The name Tripura literary means “Three Cities”. According to several mythological stories, the city of Tripura was founded and constructed by a demon architect named Mayasura. These three cities were said to be made up of iron, gold, and silver and were located on earth, heaven, and the sky respectively. The cities were well planned with great power, prosperity, and dominance over the world. However, due to their irreligious nature, the cities were destroyed by the god Tripurantaka, a facet of Lord Shiva.
However, according to etymology, Tripura’s a Sanskrit form of the word Tipra. The name Tipra was used by the aboriginal people dwelling in this area. This name literary meant “Near the Water” and it’s said that the name was given because the boundaries of this area extended up to the Bay of Bengal. However, the name of this city also sides to be given after the presiding deity Tripura Sundari, which is considered to be one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas of Hindu Pilgrimage. Several other myths also predict that the name of this city was given after the legendary tyrant King Tripur who ruled this region.
According to the Puranas and the pillar inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka, the city of Tripura has been ruled by many dynasties. However, properly written edicts of the Tripura rule can only be found from the fifteenth century onwards. The city was then ruled by king Krishna Kishore Manikya in the eighteenth century and later by King Bin Chandra Manikya until it was annexed by British India, which then became a part of Independent India in 1949. The state of Tripura since then undergone several changes through preserving its traditions, culture, and heritage sites. Let us now take a look at some of the major cities and attractions in the state of Tripura.
Major Cities in Tripura
Agartala: The city of Agartala is the capital of Tripura on the banks of the river Haroa. As this city served as the capital for several kingdoms since ancient times, Agartala has several worth seeing ancient temples and palaces. Some of the major worth visiting places in this city include Ujjayanta Palace (former royal palace today serving as the meeting place of the Tripura Legislative Assembly), Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Jagannath Temple, Ramkrishna Mission, Ram Thakur’s Ashram, Baba Loknath Temple, Gedu Miyar Masjid, Benuban Bihar, Agartala Baptist Church, Capital Baptist Church, Khakotor Baptist Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Presbyterian Church, Universal Prayer Hall, Puratan Agartala, Sipahijala Zoo, Venuban Buddha Vihar, Neermahal, Kamalsagar, Nehru Park, Agartala City Centre, Jampui Hill, and the Tripura State Museum.
Udaipur: The city is another major town in Tripura and is situated on the banks of the Gumati River around fifty-five kilometres from Agartala. Udaipur is also known as the “Lake City” and has several artificial lakes including Amar Sagar, Jaganath Dighi, Dhani Sagar, and Mahadev Dighi. The other major attraction of this town is the famous Tripura Sundari Temple built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Debbaram in 1501 and is considered as one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas of Hindu Pilgrimage. The beautiful lake right beside the Tripura Sundari Temple is another magnificent spot worth visiting in Udaipur. The Bhubaneshwar temple, Nazrul Granthagar, Jagannath Badi temple, Satsanga Bihar, and Mahadev Badi temple are other major attractions of Udaipur.
Dharmanagar: The city of Dharmanagar is one of the oldest cities and finds its inscriptions in the Royal Chronicles of the Kings of Tripura that are drafted in the 14th Century. The enchanting scenic beauty of this area attracts a huge number of tourists to this city. The famous tea garden of Haflong is a major attraction that provides a great picturesque view of the tea plantation. The other major tourist attraction of this city is the historic site of Unakoti, which preserves marvellous rock carvings dating back to the 7th and 9th centuries. Several mythological stories about this place described by the local residents are worth listening to. The surrounding places of Unakoti are blessed with several fascinating waterfalls and mountain sceneries, making this place worth visiting.
Must-Visit Destinations in Tripura
Ujjayanta Palace: The Ujjayanta Palace is a major attraction in the state of Tripura and is situated in the capital city of Agartala. The palace was built by Maharaja Radha Kishor Manikya and has one of the best architecture. The Ujjayanta Palace is a two-storied mansion with three high domes. The major attractions of this palace include its notable tile flooring, exquisitely crafted doors, the carved wooden ceiling, Mughal style gardens, pools, fountains, and the nearby environment. One must never forget to visit this palace on their visit to the state of Tripura. Visiting this place at night will give you the best view of this palace with amazing light effects.
Kunjaban Palace: The palace is situated just a kilometre away from the Ujjayanta Palace and is another worth visiting destination in the city of Agartala. The palace was built by Maharaja Birendra Kishor Manikya on a green hillock known as Kunjaban. The hill of Kunjaban was famous for its scenic beauty and thus was selected for building a palace that can be used as a suburban palace. The palace was self-architected by Maharaj Bijendra Kishor Manikya himself and is well-known for its architecture, gardens, and lawns. The Kunjaban Palace today is an official residence of the Governor of Tripura.
Tripura Government Museum: The museum was established in the year 1970 and preserves some of the rare images, artefacts, and epigraphs that throw light on the splendid past of Tripura. The museum has been a major attraction of tourists, researchers, and the general public. The museum holds major sculptures acquired and excavated from the cities of Udaipur, Jolaibari, Pilak, and other small towns of Tripura. The other major attractions of this museum include the exotic collection of Hindu and Buddhist artefacts. Most of the sculptures and artefacts kept here date back to the 9th to 13th Century AD and are worth seeing.
Benuban Vihar: The place is famous for being one of the most attractive Buddhist destinations in Tripura. The Vihar is situated in the northern region of Agartala town and is a must-visit destination. Benuban Vihar holds some of the most beautiful metal idols of Lord Buddha. The best time to visit this place is during the Buddha Jayanti (Buddha’s advent) when a huge celebration takes place with great enthusiasm. The peaceful environment here adds a special effect to this holy destination.
The state of Tripura is one of the worth visiting destinations in the northern part of India.
