Famous as the largest city of the state of Tripura, Agartala is also the well-known capital of said state. Agartala holds an array of historical and mythological importance due to its mentions in the scriptures of the Mahabharata, and the fact that the kings who ruled Agartala were quite the ambitious ones. During the British rule, Agartala was known as a princely state. Situated at the banks of the Howrah River, this city is a beautiful one, with a subtropical climate and rains nearly all year long. During the summer, it gets extremely hot and humid, so the best time to visit would be in the short winter that lasts from November to early March. The natives of Tripura celebrate a string of festivals throughout the year, which, for tourists, are a delight to witness. There are various temples across the city along with as many churches but only one or two mosques. Monasteries can also be found in a couple places. You can travel to Agartala through airways, road and railway. Let’s take a look at the spots you can visit while in Tripura.
1. State Museum/ Ujjayanta Palace
During the time it was a princely state, the Ujjayanta Palace was the royal residence of this city. Amid the lush green and vast Mughal gardens, the Palace is perched at the sides of a quaint lake. You will find various temples dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses around the palace. Also known as the State Museum, it is the largest museum of the Northeastern part of India. Rabindranath Tagore was the one who named it Ujjayanta Palace. Covering an area of almost a km, the palace includes a library, Darbar, a Throne room, and a reception hall. There is a Chinese Room that tourists usually flock to due to its intricate artistry done by Chinese craftsmen. The museum is adorned with a collection of artifacts depicting the culture, tradition, art, and history of Northeast India.
2. Unakoti Hill
Embellished with beautiful stone carvings of Lord Shiva, the Unakoti hill is a must-visit spot for a tourist in Tripura. The elaborate carvings on a variety of rocks across the hill are found amid an atmosphere of lush green trees, shrubs, and waterfalls. The most prominent feature of this hill is the 30ft tall head of Lord Shiva, also known as the Unakoteswara Kal Bhairava. In the month of April, an annual festival known as the Ashokashtami Mela is held, which attracts a large amount of devotees every year. The rock carvings and stone designs are now under the protection of the Archeological Survey of India.
3. Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary
With an artificial lake, botanical and zoological gardens, the Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 25kms from the city center in Agartala. It is well-known for the Clouded Leopard area, and there are various birds, animals, and vegetation found here. Among the various flora and fauna, animals and birds, one can find the famous crab-consuming mongoose. Best time to visit is during winter when many birds and animals are easily seen. You can stay in the forest Bungalow called Absarika. It consists of a few cabins that can be used overnight.
4. Heritage Park
A rare sight to behold, Heritage Park is located at the North of Raj Bhavan in Agartala. The park showcases the ancient, tribal and cultural heritage of Tripura, starting at the looming gate itself. Surrounded by an abundance of wondrous smelling flowers, trees and various other natural elements, the park is the hub of tourists after its inauguration in 2012. It is known for having inculcated the Effective Microorganism technology to offer a helping hand for the lack of organic manure. The park is a haven of tranquility and quietude for those who wish to be at peace.
5. Jampui Hills
One of the most loved tourist spots in Tripura are the Jampui hills. Amid these hills are about ten villages that enjoy the beautiful surrounding of the hill range. You can travel to Jampui hills through the road of Dharmanagar and Kailashahar. These hills are most famous for their orange plantation that was started in the early 60s. Commercially, Jampui hills are known to be the best location for orange plantation and growth. This attracted a lot of locals and visitors. Every year, a festival known as the Orange festival is celebrated within the hills amid the hovering clouds that provide a tranquil atmosphere for those enjoying the festival. However, the frequency of this festival has lowered in the past few years due to some diseases. But Jampui Hills are still a beautiful location to visit.
Agartala is part of the celebrated state of Tripura, which attracts a lot of tourists from around the world. There are many spots one can visit while in the city, and most of them hold historical and mythological importance, which makes them all the more alluring.
Some More Tourist Destinations Of Tripura:
