Agartala – Experience the unconventional
Agartala Airport Directory (IXA)
Baggage Allowance
15Kg
7Kg
Min
°
Max
°
The capital of Tripura, Agartala, borders Bangladesh on the banks of the Haora River. In fact, you will land a hundred metres barely from the international border. But it isn't just its geography that is interesting—Agartala also has a history worth reckoning with. Some records state that the city has been habituated since 1900 BC and, even today, has vestiges of its glorious past through palaces, temples and shrines. The long list of things to do in Agartala includes sampling this rich history and its local food, some of which have a distinct Bengali influence.
On your visit to Agartala, do remember to treat your taste buds to traditional Tripuri cuisine - Mui Borok.
Best time to visit Agartala:
Although Agartala is a year-round destination, June and July receive the maximum rainfall, making travelling difficult.
Most commonly spoken languages in Agartala:
- Bengali
- English
How to reach Agartala
- Flights to Agartala: Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport is the nearest airport that is 12 km (20minutes drive) away from the city. IndiGo operates 10 daily flights between Agartala and Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal and Chennai, along with seamless connectivity to many other cities in India.
- By train: Agartala and Jogendranagar railway station are the two main railway stations that connect Agartala with the country's major cities. Autorickshaws and taxis are readily available from the station to travel to any part of the town.
- By bus: Agartala has a vast network of bus services connecting the city to the country's major cities. You can find both State and Private bus services running around the city, offering good package deals for the travellers.
- Getting around/local transport in Agartala: Paddle rickshaws are the prime transportation mode in the city, with fares ranging from INR5 to INR25. Auto Rickshaws, locally known as 'Tempo', Government city buses and local buses are other means of transport connecting the city.
Baggage Allowance
15Kg
7Kg
Min
°
Max
°
Places to visit in Agartala
- Ujjayanta Palace: Named by Rabindranath Tagore, who spent a few years in the city, and was built between 1899 and 1901 by the king, Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya. A museum today, its tiled floors, carved wooden ceilings and landscaped gardens point to an aesthetic that is refined and thankfully well-preserved.
- Neermahal Palace: An hour's drive from the city, the elegant Neermahal Palace, which means 'Water Palace' stands in Rudrasagar lake's centre. A short boat ride will take you to this tower that blends Hindu and Muslim architectural styles.
- Tripura Government Museum: You can even plan a visit to the Tripura Government Museum, home to an array of tribal sculptures, coins and paintings from all over the region. Housed in a former palace, the artefacts on display will have you in awe. You can access the Agartala map to track locations better.
- Tripurasundari Temple or Mata Bari: For those who are religious, a temple trail will take you around the city and its surroundings. Most popular is the Tripurasundari Temple (locally known as Mata Bari), which stands where Hindu goddess Sati's right foot is said to have touched the ground during her dance for Lord Shiva. (Tip: the shrine is about 50km from the city, so that it will take up most of your day.) Also worth visiting is the Kamalesari Temple, which is close to the Bangladesh border, and Jagannath Temple.
Places to eat in Agartala
Invitation, Shakuntala Road
This vegetarian eatery is known for its dosas and other south Indian food, though the menu encompasses north Indian fare and Chinese too.
VIEW MORE
Momos N More, Krishna Nagar
A tiny restaurant that serves up excellent momos, noodles and somewhat surprisingly, biryani. Though there are vegetarian items on the menu, meat-eaters have a better selection.
VIEW MORE
Khunti Kadai, Battala
Known for its Bengali cuisine, this eatery is walking distance from the Chowmuhani post office. The mochar ghonto, shorshe ilish and kasha mangsho are all must-orders.
VIEW MORE
Hotel Sonar Tori, Ronaldsay Road
For when the people you’re travelling with want a little bit of everything, the Sunday buffet dinner here encompasses a range of cuisines from Indian to Chinese and more.
VIEW MORE
VIEW LESS
Shopping places in Agartala
High-end shopping/luxury shopping/shopping malls in Agartala
- City Center
- M I Plaza
- Agartala City Center
Street shopping in Agartala
There are a lot of bazaars and markets around the city, from which you can buy items to take home. Cane and Bamboo handicrafts, artworks are the must buy from Agartala. For women, jewellery is also available at stores like Roop Mahal in Jagat Bazaar. The market, incidentally, is excellent for those looking to buy garments—both traditional and western wear.
- Mohanpur and Akhaura Road: Pick up some nice Bamboo and Cane crafts from these streets, such as lampshades, décor items or small baskets. If you don't like anything here, then you need to head out to the state government emporium named Purbasha.
- Battala market: This market is a perfect place to buy tribal attire and accessories. You may also check out Shakuntala road and Akhaura road for the same.
Where to stay in Agartala
Ginger Hotel Agartala, Khejurbagan This 101room property is situated close enough to the city’s industrial belt to serve as a business hotel but is also close to the sights, like the government museum and heritage park, so it’s ideal for tourists too. It’s the best place to bed down in the city, if you don’t mind self-service.
Hotel Welcome Palace, Dhaleswar This three-star hotel is another option for those looking to sleep comfortably. There’s a restaurant, Kurry Klub that serves up Indian, Thai and Chinese food for those looking for a great meal.
Geetanjali Tourism Guest House, Airport Road This government-run property wins for its location, and large rooms and its well-priced dining options.
More reasons to visit Agartala/Top things to do in Agartala
Heritage Park
Close by the Tripura Government Museum is the Heritage Park, which includes miniature replicas of the state's architectural buildings, nestled in manicured gardens, set amidst undulating hills.
State Academy of Tribal Culture
If you want to get an insight into Tripura's ethnic background, then the State Academy of Tribal Culture is worth a visit. This well-maintained academy features tribal handicrafts, costumes, utensils, instruments and daily life items belonging to 19 different tribal cultures in the state.
Unakoti
Rent a car and pack yourself a snack, for there's a bunch of exciting getaways from Agartala. Topping your list should be Unakoti, for its rock sculptures, which are about 150km away. Take a day trip, as there aren't too many options when it comes to places to stay around the area. The carvings showcase Shiva's life and are monumental in scale.
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
On your way back from the Tripurasundari Temple, you can stop by at the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to clouded leopards, cheetahs, monkeys and more. Within the sanctuary, there is a zoo for those that want to be sure of animal sightings, and especially if you have kids—it is a great way to spend an afternoon or morning. There's also Kalyan Sagar Lake to get your Instagram selfie at, or the Rudra Sagar Lake, which surrounds the Neermahal as mentioned above Palace.
Nightlife/party places in Agartala
- Harry Son Night Club
- Netaji Play Center
- Saharokh Khan
Festivals in Agartala
Ganga Puja
One of the most popular festivals of the state of Tripura is Ganga Puja. During this festival, the tribals worship the Goddess of the river. The festival is rejoiced to pray for the well-being of pregnant women and to save them from epidemics. For the celebration, a bamboo temple is built in the middle of the river or a water stream. According to the Hindu Lunisolar calendar, the famous festival is celebrated throughout the state sometime in March, April, or May. Also, the locals believe that sacrificing adult male geese, goats, and even buffalo in their offerings may prevent epidemic diseases.
Lowest Fare Flights to
From
To
Departure
Duration
Stops
Lowest Fare
