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Rock-Cuts and stone carvings of Tripura are huge and have
been carved on open vertical walls at Unakoti, Debtamura
and Pilak. Unakoti is about 178 kms. from Agartala, and 8
kms from Kailashahar. The name Unakoti, means one less
than a crore. It is a Shiva pilgrimage site dating back to
the 8th or 9th Century. The Central Shiva carving known as
the Unakotiswara kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high, its
head dress is 10 feet in height. Every year, a big
festival known as Ashokastami Mela is held in the month of
April.
Debtamura, 75 kms. from
Agartala, is situated on the banks of the river Gomati,
between Udaipur and Amarpur. The rocks on the banks of the
river also called Chabimura are carved with images of
Shiva, Vishnu, Kartik, Mahisasur, Mardini Durga and other
deities. The images date back to the 15th and 16th
Century.
Pilak,
100 kms away from Agartala towards the southern end of
Tripura, is also said to be of the 8th and 9th century,
where, within an area of about 10 sq. kms. carvings were
found mostly in stone and in terracotta plaques. Colossal
stone images of Avalokiteswara and Narasimha have also
been found here. Excavations are continuing at these
sites.
Mata
Tripureshwari Temple at Udaipur located about 58 kms. from
Agartala and 3 kms. from Udaipur, is considered one among
the 51 pithasthans of India according to Hindu mythology.
It
is also known as Kurma Pith because of the shape of the
temple resembling the tortoise. The idol of Maa Kali is
made of reddish black stone and is in the Soroshi form. A
smaller version of the idol known as Chotto Maa which was
usually carried by kings during their hunting trips or
war, is also seen here.
The
Fourteen Goddess Temple is situated about 14 kms. from
Agartala at a place which is known as the old Agartala
because the capital was temporarily shifted to this place
while Maharaja Krishna Manikya was at war for a long time
with Shamser Gazi. The famous Karachi Festival is
celebrated during the month of July every year and visited
by thousands of pilgrims.
Bhuveneshwari
Temple, on the right banks of the Gomati River, was built
by Maharaja Govinda Manikya during 1660-75. It finds
reference in Rabindra Nath Tagore's poetry and drama
namely Bisharjan and Rajarshi. Other temples to visit in
Agartala are the Buddha Temple, Jagannath Temple,
Laxminarayan Temple, Uma Maheshwari Temple and the Durga
Temple.
Also
in Udaipur one could visit the Mahadev Temple.
Sepahijala
Wild Life Sanctuary, is about 25 kms. from Agartala
covering an area of about 18.53 sq. kms. It houses about
150 species of birds and the unique spectacled monkey.
Inside the sanctuary a forest Dak Bungalow called
Abasarika offers accommodation and there is also a
botanical garden, zoo, lake and boating facilities nearby.
The
Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary is located about 100 kms. away
from Agartala. Bison is the main attraction of this
sanctuary apart from some resident and migratory birds.
Dumboor
is a famous spot, located 110 kms. away from Agartala in
the midst of picturesque hills. The lake has an area of 41
sq. kms. with 48 islands within. Tirthamukh is the name
given to a hydel project at the mouth of the river Gomati
where the Pous Sankranti Mela takes place in January every
year.
This
lake is formed by a confluence of the rivers Raima and
Sarma and it has a reservoir of natural and cultured fish.
This is also another reason for the large number of
migratory birds which flock here during winters.
The
Rudrasagar Lake, about 55 kms. from Agartala near Melaghar,
is about 5.3 sq. kms. in area and has the privilege of
having the only Lake Palace of the North-East in it, the
Neermahal. A boat race is organised every year around July
or August, but boating otherwise is available to tourists
throughout the year.
Lake
Kamalasagar, 27 kms. from Agartala, was excavated by
Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in the 15th century. A temple of
Goddess Kali stands on the banks of the lake and is said
to have been built during the 16th century.
Udaipur
is the city of lakes and one could come across any one of
the following at close proximity, namely Amarsagar,
Kalyansagar, Jagannath Dighi, Mahadev Dighi and Sukhsagar.
200
kms. from Agartala, bordering Mizoram, are Jampui Hills-
an important tourist attraction. The hill range comprises
10 villages inhabited by tribes of Lushai and Reang. The
highest peak of the range is about 3,000 ft above sea
level and is lush green.
The
climate is so good that Jampui is known as the land with a
permanent spring. Each new season has its own growth of
either fruits or orchids and the colour of the hills
change with the colour of the season.