Tripura
If somebody wants to experience the versatility of nature then he should explore the landlocked hilly northeastern state Tripura at least once in his lifetime. Tripura is exclusively unique in its natural beauty and encompasses a number of delightful destinations which allures thousands of tourists every year.
Location
Covering an area of around 10,491 sq kilometers, Tripura is predominantly located at a hilly region. This Northeastern state borders with Bangladesh from three sides west, north and south and is only reachable through a narrow passage which adjoins Tripura with Assam and Mizoram.
Places to see
Starting from pilgrim places and amazing rock carvings till magnificent natural beauties, Tripura offers a handful of options to its tourists which are as follows:
Agartala: The state capital Agartala offers plenty of attractions like Ujjayanta Palace, Sukanta Academy, M.B.B. College, Tribal Museum, State Museum, Malancha Niwas, Purbasha, Benuban Bihar, Fourteen Goddess Temple, Gedu Mian Mosque, Portuguese Church, Rabindra Kanan, Laxminarayan Temple etc.
The royal residence, Ujjayanta Palace is situated in the heart of the capital city Agartala. The architectural beauty of this two storey royal mansion can be found in its three towering domes, crafted and curved wooden doors. Kunjaban Palace located at a stone’s throw distance from city Agartala gives an overview of the scenic beauty of Tripura. Adjacent to Kunjaban Palace is Malancha Niwas which was a mud house earlier where Rabindranath Tagore stayed once during his visit in the year 1919.
Neermahal (Water Palace): The Neermahal is a magnificently created architectural marvel located 53 km away from the capital city. Neermahal was the summer resort of Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya. Built in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake, it is a fusion of Mughal and contemporary architecture. Neermahal holds the credit of being the only water palace in the entire eastern region and therefore attracts a large number of visitors every day.
Jampui Hill: Located at an altitude of 3000 meters above the sea level, Jampui Hill is the highest hill range of Tripura where spring never fades. Sunrise and sunset at Jampui have always been delightful experience for many tourists visiting Tripura. The beautiful orange garden amidst green forest is another attraction for tourists visiting Jampui during winter.
Pilgrimages: Tripura is also famous as a pilgrim destination for many devotes. As per mythology, the Tripurasundari Temple located in Udaipur is one of the 51 pilgrim places of Hindu religion. Therefore, it is considered to be a holy place and a number of devotees gather there every day to offer prayer to the Goddess Kali. Bhubaneswari Temple situated at the bank of Gomati River at Udaipur is another popular pilgrim destination for devotees. Another renowned pilgrim place of Tripura is Unomoti which is known for its rock cut sculptures. It is located 178 km away from Agartala. On the other hand a perfect blend of Hindu and Buddhist culture can also be found in Pilak which is situated in South Tripura.
Amusement Parks and other places of interest: Tripura also hosts a number of public and private amusement parks such as Khumulong Park, Rose Valley Park, Tepania Eco Park, and Energy Parks which provide enough option to enjoy a day out in the lap of nature. The state rural tourism includes Kamalasagar, Hurijala, Durga Bari Tea Estate, Devipur, Arkaneer, Bonobithi etc.
Flora and Fauna
Tripura forest region is mostly covered by bamboo plantations which stocks a mixed variety of bamboos. The tea and rubber plantation is the backbone for the states economical or financial growth.
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary: Situated at a distance of only 35 km from the capital city Agartala, Sepahijala is one of the most visited tourist destinations and pleasure parks of Tripura. Sepahijala is an abundant store of flora and fauna and different bird species. This reserve forest spreads over an area of around 18.53 sq km which houses a number of rare species like spectacle monkey, crab eating mongoose and other migratory birds.
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary: Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary of Tripura officially came into existence in the year 1988. Located in the northern part of the state, Trishna is known for its rich vegetation and bio-diversity. Indian Gaur which is popularly known as Bison is the main attraction of Trishna. However, different species of birds and animals along with golden monkey, hook lock gibbon, deer, capped monkey can also be found in this sanctuary.
Other notable forest reserves of Tripura are Gomati wildlife sanctuary and Rowa Reserve Forest.
Events and Festivals
Tripura is a multi diversified state which counts both tribal and non tribal communities therefore; the festivals are also very distinctive in nature. Garia Puja, Ker Puja and Kharchi Puja are the major tribal festivals which are celebrated with high enthusiasm and devotion. A majority of the tribal population participate into these occasions for social welfare. Durga Puja is another popular occasion which is being celebrated every year with great devotion and eagerness. Diwali, the festival of lights and crackers is also being observed every year after the Durga Puja. Pous-Sankranti Mela, Ashok Ashtami Fair, Buddha Poornima, Lamp Festival along with a number of annual fairs like Book Fair, Trade and Commerce Festival, Handloom and Handicrafts Fair are also conducted throughout the state an which undoubtedly attracts the attention of many tourists.
How to Reach
Tripura is well connected by air, road and rail.
By Air: Regular flights to Kolkata, Guwahati, Chennai and Delhi connect Tripura with all the major cities of India.
By Rail: The state capital Agartala has newly been added to the railway map of India. The nearest railhead is Badharghat that links Tripura to Guwahati which is widely connected with all important railway stations of India.
By Road: The NH 44 connects Tripura with Shillong. Approximately 24 hours journey via public or private transport can reach you to Guwahati from where you will get a number of options to move anywhere in the country. Other than interstate road connectivity Tripura can also be approached via Bangladesh from Kolkata by bus.
Private hotels along with state Govt. lodges at Agartala and in different parts of Tripura offer all luxury and comfort to the tourists and a feeling of just being at home while travelling away from home.
What to Do
Sunrise and sunset: The magnificent views of sunrise and sunset at Jampui have always been delightful experience for many tourists visiting Tripura.
Boating and Water Sports: Tripura offers an array of water sport activities which are performed at different times of the year. The annual boating festival organized in Rudrasagar is one the most famous water sports of Tripura. Tourists can take the pleasure of boating in Rudrasagar, Dumboor Lake and in the lake of the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Rose Valley Park can be a perfect gateway destination for different water sports and amusement facilities that it offers to its visitors. Exploring the beauty of the nature sitting on the back of an elephant can also be an amusing activity while visiting Sepahijala.
Taste Local Food: Vacationers can relish the taste of a traditional cuisine called Mui Borok. This spicy dish is prepared with dried and fermented fish which contains a typical scent. Mui Borok is prepared without oil thus it is very delicious and healthy to eat.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to explore Tripura is between September till March. The weather remains somewhat cool during these months and every nock and corner of the state overflows with absolute greenery which creates a divine atmosphere which enables one to enjoy the abundant beauty of nature and the chirping of migratory birds.
History
The controversy is still there among many researchers and historians about the origin of the state name Tripura. However, the source of this name could be traced from the ancient court history "Rajmala". According to "Rajmala", a king called 'Tripur' once ruled the territory and the name of this state was derived from his name. A few researchers contradict this statement saying that Tripura is a compound form of two different words. One is 'tui' which means 'water' and another is 'pra' that means 'near' which together forms the word 'near water'. According to them, the geographical positioning of this state is also supportive to this statement as Tripura is located at a short proximity to the water resources of Bangladesh.
Climate
Tripura has a moderate tropical weather which witnesses three seasons; summer, winter and monsoon. Summer arrives in the month of March and lasts till May. Summer observes the maximum temperature of 35 Degree Celsius whereas; the minimum temperature can go down till 23 Degree Celsius during this season. Monsoon appears in June and soaks the state until September. Just like these two seasons winter is also very prominent in Tripura. Winter formally appears in the month of November and prevails in this region till February. In comparison to rest of the two seasons, winter is the best period to be in Tripura. Humidity generally remains high in every season in Tripura. It varies between 50%-70% in summer and in the winter it rises up to 85%.
Private hotels along with state Govt. lodges at Agartala and in different parts of Tripura offer all luxury and comfort to the tourists and a feeling of just being at home while travelling away from home.
