Posted 07 October 2022 in Travel wanderlust

Why Tripura should be the next Indian destination on your travel wish list

Even though it is the third smallest state, Tripura has many beautiful and unique things to offer, which makes it an amazing place to visit. One of the Seven Sister States of the Northeast, Tripura is famous for its rich heritage and culture, the warm and friendly locals, and the bright and vibrant festivals.

Although the state is small in size, this does not make it small in attractions or tourist spots, making it a popular holiday destination. The state has breathtaking scenic beauty, spectacular architecture and grand cultural heritage, all of which is evident in every aspect of the state. There are mountains, pristine lakes, ancient temples and exquisite flora and fauna offering something for every kind of traveller in the world.

Agartala, the capital of the state is the most-visited place, as it has beautiful and historic architecture that speaks volumes about the kingdom of Tripura that was in power even during British rule.

These are some of the top reasons to visit Tripura

Here are some of the must-visit places in Tripura, which becomes the major reason to explore the place:

Neermahal Palace

Also known as the Water Palace, the Neermahal Palace is one of the most popular tourist spots in Tripura. The palace is located right in the middle of a natural lake, the Rudrasagar Lake, and in the 1930s, was the residence of the king of Tripura. The palace was built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman Manikya and features spectacular architecture. Inspired by the Mughals, the palace is made of marble and stone, and has splendid minarets, towers, balconies, bridges and pavilions. The surrounding Rudrasagar Lake is home to thousands of migratory birds every winter season, making it a spectacular sight to view.

Till today, the Neermahal Palace is intact and is a popular spot for tourists to visit. The palace was divided into two sections. The royal family lived in the western part, while the eastern section was converted into an open theatre where dance, drama and theatre took place. To reach the palace, tourists have to travel through Rudrasagar Lake via boats that offer beautiful and scenic views of the entire landscape. It is definitely a must-visit site while touring the gorgeous state of Tripura.

Things to do in the Neermahal Palace:

If visitors come in August, they can witness the Neermahal Water Festival, which is a major three-day event held at the Rudrasagar Lake and Melaghar. The boat race in the lake is wildly popular and very famous.
Enjoy the boat ride and the palace that appears to be a red and white structure.
Explore the palace, and see the rooms that the royal family would stay in. The view of the lake from the balcony is spectacular, to say the least.

Jampui Hills

One of the hidden gems of Tripura, the Jampui Hills is home to the tastiest and juiciest oranges. There is a grand orange festival that is held in September and December, and is popular among both locals and tourists. The festival was started to celebrate the economic boom that the state had due to the huge production of oranges in the hills, and is definitely a place for tourists to visit.

The Jampui Hills are the highest hill range of Tripura and are at an altitude of 3,000 feet above sea level. Plantation of the yummy oranges is the main occupation of the locals, and the area is home to the Lushais and the Reangs tribe. The hills offer gorgeous views of the nearby places, and the sunrise and sunset are mesmerising. There are several viewpoints on the Jampui Hills that offer beautiful views of the Chittagong Hills and the Kanchanpur-Dasda Valley. On clear days, some hills of Mizoram can also be seen.

There is a tourist lodge run by the Tripura tourism development corporation, which offers comfortable accommodations for tourists who wish to spend the night at the hills. The local tribes also offer paid accommodation to enable tourists to understand the tribal life better.

Ujjayanta Palace

The Ujjayanta Palace is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture in Tripura and has managed to maintain its splendour even after being built in the 20th century. The palace was originally the residence of the royal family of Tripura but was converted into a museum that houses a unique collection of sculptures and artefacts that are a testimony to the state’s culture and history. There are 22 galleries inside the museum with a vast collection of terracotta and figurines.

Built in 1901 by a ruler of the Manikya Dynasty, the Ujjayanta Palace is located on the banks of a small lake, and it has beautiful Mughal gardens surrounding the palace. The palace is opposite the Jagannath Temple, which is spread over 800 acres of land. In the middle, from 1972 to 2011, the palace was even used as a home for Tripura’s Legislative Assembly. Today, it is one of the biggest museums in Northeast India.

Unakoti

Located 135 km from the capital of Agartala, Unakoti is an iconic heritage and cultural site with a stunning story of its own. The site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and has gorgeous rock-cut carvings and murals. The carvings are said to have been made between the 7th and the 9th century. The well-known heritage site is one of the most visited places in Tripura, and the rock carvings look stunning against the backdrop of the lush greenery around.

The mountain edges have life-size rock carvings, and some very popular carvings are of Ganesha, Shiva, Uma-Maheshwar, Vishnu, Ravan and Hanuman. There is a beautiful gushing waterfall nearby which makes this spot of natural beauty a favourite of all nature and history lovers.

Heritage Park

Spread over 4 hectares, the Heritage Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tripura, and is very popular among tourists. The park is the best place to take a stroll, and to unwind after a tiring day. The Heritage Park houses miniature replicas of Unakoti and Neermahal Palace among others. The entire park is lined with eucalyptus and lychee plants, which fill the air with a beautiful smell and add to the scenic beauty of the park. The park also has an amphitheatre that hosts some cultural events.

Located in the middle of Agartala, the Heritage Park has a spectacular gate that depicts the rich cultural heritage of the beautiful state of Tripura, both tribal and non-tribal. There are three segments inside the park, namely a mini-Tripura, which is at the entrance of the park, a central area, which is a natural forest, and a plain table where medicinal plants and herbs are grown.

Dumboor Lake

The Dumboor Lake is a beautiful little lake that is 120 km away from Agartala, in the Gandacherra area. Named Dumboor after the drum of Lord Shiva, the appearance of the lake resembles a small, handheld drum. The waterbody is spread over 41 km, and has beautiful and lush green vegetation all around. There are 48 islands in the middle of the lake.

The Dumboor Lake is frequented by many migratory birds, and there are water sports for visitors to enjoy. There is a Hydel project that is in close proximity to Dumboor Lake and is said to be the origin of the river Gomati. The Dumboor Lake is the confluence of the rivers Raima and Sarma, and is a beautiful sight for sore eyes. The lake has rich biodiversity and is home to a number of unique species of fish.

Wildlife

Tripura has 2 national parks and 4 wildlife sanctuaries, and is home to very rich biodiversity with unique species of flora and fauna calling the state their home. Tripura is the perfect place for nature lovers to see animals in their natural habitat, watch the migratory birds soar in the clear sky, and the gorgeous flowers in full bloom.

The Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest sanctuary in Tripura, and covers an area of 19 sq. km. There is an artificial lake, along with a zoo and botanical garden inside the sanctuary. The Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the clouded leopard and the spectacled monkey.

Tripura Cuisine

Tripura is home to some delectable and palatable local cuisines, which are tasty and nutritious at the same time. One very popular dish is the Moi Borok, which is made from Berma which is a sour, fermented and dried fish. Burma is one of the main ingredients of all food items made in Tripura.

Apart from Moi Borok, the Bangui rice, fish stew and shoot pickle are the most tried items. Tripura is a paradise for all non-vegetarian foodies as the state has the most amazing non-vegetarian dishes made from seafood and meat.

Travel Tips for Tripura

Always have an itinerary prepared beforehand. This saves time and ensures a hassle-free trip.
It is best to book your stay close to the places you want to visit.
You must follow COVID appropriate behaviour.
Make sure you have all the important documents handy.

How to reach Tirpura?

By road: Tripura is well connected by the national highways to the major cities of India. National Highway 44 connects Tripura to Guwahati via Shillong. The journey will take about 24 hours to complete. Luxury and deluxe coaches, private and public sector transportation buses, tourist taxis, jeeps and rented cars ply on the route from Guwahati to Agartala. Agartala is about 1650 km away from Kolkata, 590 km from Guwahati and 250 km from Silchar, while being closest to the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, which is merely 150 km away.

By rail: Agartala does not have its own railway station, the closest one is in Kumarghat, which is 140 km away from Agartala. The Kumarghat Railway Station connects Agartala to the major cities of India, with regular trains from Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Indore reaching here. There are taxis that are easily available outside the station that will take the travellers to Agartala.

By air: The Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala has regular flights that connect the state to all major cities in the world. IndiGo operates daily non-stop flights to Agartala.

Weather/Climate in Tripura

Tripura has a warm and humid tropical climate.In Agartala, the wet season is hot and the dry season is warm and mostly clear.

Best time to visit Tripura

The weather in Tripura is so unique that it can be visited at all times of the year. However, the best time to visit the state, in general, would be the winter seasons from November to April when the temperature is pleasant and permits outdoor activities. Another reason is that Tripura in the monsoon season receives plenty of rainfall, making the terrain wet, slippery, and uncomfortable for activities and sightseeing.

Stay in Tripura

It is advised that tourists visiting Tripura should make Agartala their base, and take day trips to the other destinations. Some comfortable hotels in Agartala are:

Hotel Polo Towers Agartala
Hotel Himalaya
Hotel Sonar Tori
Hotel Palace Inn

Conclusion

These were some of the top reasons to visit Tripura, and any list can never do justice to the many sights and experiences that the spectacular state has to offer. All travellers who are looking to experience a unique holiday must definitely put Tripura on their bucket list. There are so many things to see, and so many things to do, that travellers will never get bored of the beautiful state of the Northeast.