Temples In Tripura

Another 25 Kms further along the same road of Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary brings you to the famed 16^th century temple dedicated to Goddess Tripurasundri atop a hilly rise, with the beautiful pond full of tortoise. Regarded as one of the 51 sacred peeths (holy places) of Hindu pilgrimage, this temple was built in 1501AD and the dome is shaped like a tortoise (regarded as sacred here). The temple is also popularly known as Mata Bari (mother’s shrine). Although the temple itself is small in proportion – the adjoining Kalyan sagar Lake covers 6.4 acre area and is over 200 mts long and 150 mts wide. Tame tortoises come up the shore to be fed by visiting devotees, as do the large fish that live in water. Remnants of tribal influence can be seen in the goat sacrifices offered at the temple. There is also a Bhuvaneshwari Temple on the banks of Gumti River.

Tripura has its tribal rock carvings dating back to 7^th century at Unakoti, 178Kms from Agartala. Discovered only recently, these rocks sculptures are set to be the largest bas – relief remains in India, bigger even the famous Mahabalipuram rock carvings. Gigantic images of Lord Shiva and Ganesha, 10 mt high, chiseled out of the hill slopes, has so excited archaeologists that the state govt. has now proposed to designate the places as a world heritage site. Pilak, 100Kms from Agartala is another place of interest with its Budhists period stone images and stupa relics dating back 8^th and 9^th centuries.