Being the third smallest state in the country, Tripura is a scenic place that is packed with so many intriguing things to do for a vacation. The capital of this charming destination, Agartala is the main tourist attraction since a lot of Tripura's best is concentrated in the city.
However, Tripura is more than just that. It has a rich heritage from the kingdom of Tripura that ruled as an independent princely state even during the British era. Read about the places you need to visit and things you must try on your visit to Tripura, to truly experience the essence of the state.
Boating To The Neermahal
PC: Mr Nimai Debbarma
Literally translating to "Water Palace", Neermahal is situated in the Lake Rudrasagar, 53 km away from Agartala. It used to be a royal summer residence that belonged to the king of the kingdom of Tripura back in the 1930s.
The palace reflects a fine blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The western section of the palace was the residence of the royal family while the eastern side was an open theatre allocated for entertainment like theatre, dance, drama, etc.
You can reach the palace only via boat ride through the Lake Rudrasagar.
Pilgrimage To Jagannath And Kali Temples
PC: Abani Kanta Biswal
Jagannath Temple is located in Agartala while the Kamalasagar Kali Temple is situated 27 km from the capital city. Located on the grounds of Ujjayanta Palace, the Jagannath Bari is a 19th century temple that was built by the Manikya dynasty.
Dedicated to Goddess Kali, Kamalasagar Kali Temple is located on a hillock that overlooks the beautiful Kamalasagar Lake. A visit to both these stunning temples is a must when in Tripura.
Try Out The Tasty Cuisine Of Tripura
PC: Mannamajumder
Tripura cuisine is known as Mui Borok by the locals. One of the most important ingredients of most of their dishes includes Berma, which is a sour-tasting dried and fermented fish.
Some of the dishes you must try include fish stew, bamboo shoot pickle, bangui rice, to name a few. The cuisine mostly involves non-vegetarian dishes, making it a meat lover's delight.
Stroll Through The Heritage Park
PC: Piyushozarde
Sprawling across a huge area of 4 hectares, the Heritage Park in Agartala is a popular place of tourist attraction. It consists of miniature replicas of all the major heritage sites of Tripura including Neermahal, Ujjayanta Palace, Unakoti, to name a few.
The park is lined with beautiful plants of lychee, eucalyptus, etc., along with wooden and stone artefacts. It has an amphitheatre where cultural events take place and lush greenery is stretched all across the park.
Try The Juicy Oranges Of Jampui Hills
PC: Zeynel Cebeci
Visit the Jampui Hills between the months of September to December to witness the grand orange festival that takes place every year. The festival began as a celebration of the economical rise that took place after the mass production of oranges that happened in Jampui.
It is an offbeat destination where you can try trekking and boating in the nearby Sabual village, apart from trying out delicious oranges.
Visit The Glorious Ujjayanta Palace
PC: Sharada Prasad CS
Built in 1901, Ujjayanta Palace used to be a royal palace that has now been turned into a museum. It was built by King Radha Kishore Manikya of Manikya dynasty, on the banks of a little lake and is flanked with beautiful Mughal gardens.
The museum consists of 22 galleries that has an eclectic collection of art, such as sculptures, figurines, terracotta, etc., that reflects the rich culture and tradition of the north-eastern states of India.
The palace remains open for visitors from 10 am to 5 pm and is closed on Mondays.
Attend The Durga Puja Of Agartala
PC: Baishampayan Ghose
While Durga Puja is always associated with Kolkata and West Bengal, Tripura also happens to be a state that celebrates Durga Puja in utmost grandeur.
During Durga Puja, Agartala witnesses beautiful Durga Puja pandals, where the expertise and talent of the local artists surfaces. Visit Tripura during October-November to witness their beautiful Durga Puja celebrations.
Explore Unakoti
PC: Shivam22383
Unakoti is a popular heritage site that is protected under the Archaeological Survey of India. Here you can find innumerable beautiful rock-cut carvings and murals. Unakoti literally means "one less than a crore".
These carvings date back to 7th to 9th centuries and look glorious on the patch of green background. It is certainly a must visit in Tripura and can be visited at any time of the day.