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The former princely state of Tripura joined the Indian Union
in 1947. It is bordered by Bangladesh to the north-west, south
and south- east and the Indian states of Mizoram and Assam to
the east. Tripura has more hills than plains and it is as
green as any other North Eastern States of India.
SIGHTSEEING:
UJJAYANTA PALACE:
 This Royal House of Tripura is located in the heart of the
capital Agartala. Covering an area of one square km this is a
two storied mansion having a mixed architectural style. Built
by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya during1899- 1901, the palace
has magnificent tiled floor, curved wooden ceiling and
beautifully crafted doors.
NEERMAHAL:
Located 55 km away from Agartala, Neermahal Palace was
constructed as a summer resort for the royals of Tripura in
1930. This stands in the middle of Rudrasagar, a natural lake
having an area of 5.35 sq km and is the only lake palace in
Eastern India. Built in a combination of white marble and red
sand stone this palace has a good combination of Hindu and
Mughal architecture which could be noticed on the domes of the
palace.
TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE:
 Located 55 km from Agartala this temple at Udaipur is one of
the 51 Pithas in India as per Hindu mythology. It is said that
the right foot of Mata Sati, whose dead body was cut into 51
pieces by Lord Vishnu, fell here. Constructed by Maharaja
Dhanya Manikya in 1501 A.D, the temple consists of a square
type sanctum with a conical dome. Maa Kali is worshipped in
her ‘Soroshi’ form in this temple. There is a lake called
Kalyan Sagar in the eastern side of the temple which is an
added beauty to the temple.
UNAKOTI:
Located 178 km from Agartala this Shaiva pilgrimage centre has
numerous excellent rock cut carvings on steep rocky walls
dating back to 8th to 9th centuries. The term ‘Unakoti’ means
one less than a crore( 1 crore is 10 million) and it is said
that these many rock cut carvings do exist here. The story of
Unakoti is related to Hindu mythology when Lord Shiva cursed
one less than a crore gods and goddesses to become stone
images for not abiding his instructions and as a result we
have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at
Unakoti. It is the largest Bas-relief sculpture in India.
JAMPUI HILLS:
The hill station at an altitude of 3000 ft. above sea level is
known as the seat of permanent spring. Jampui is at a distance
of 250 km from Agartala and with its scenic landscape,pleasant
weather,forested hills, orchids, and scores of orange gardens,
it is an ideal destination for the tourists. Village tourism
is growing here.
WILDLIFE:
Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary
Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the south-east corner
of Tripura. Covering an area is 389.54 sq km, the sanctuary
has Elephants, Bison, Sambar, Barking deer, Serow apart from
many other animals, reptiles and a host of bird species. The
sanctuary boasts of a rich flora and fauna and this is an
ideal destination for eco-tourism. Close to the sanctuary,
there is a vast water reservoir covering almost 300 sq km of
an area. This water reservoir attracts several resident and
migratory water birds.
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is located 35 km from Agartala.
Covering an area of 18.53 sq km, it is rich in wildlife
particularly birds and primates. Sepahijala has abundant stock
of flora and fauna. It has 456 plant species of monocotyledon
and dicotyledonous. Trees of Sal, Chamal, Garjan and Kanak
exist predominantly. The secondary species consist of Pichla,
Kurcha, Awla, Bahera, Hargaja, Amlaki, Bamboos and grasses.
There are 5 species of primates in this sanctuary. The crab
eating Mongoose which was last sighted about 72 years ago in
India has been discovered again in this sanctuary. Leaf
monkey, a rare species, is abundant here. There are about 150
species of birds in this sanctuary. Wonderful habitat of
Sepahijala attracts lots of migratory birds in winter of which
lesser whistling teal and white ibis are prominent.
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary can be approached either from
Belonia in the south or from Sonamura in the northern part of
Tripura. Covering an area of 197.7 sq km the Sanctuary was
notified in November, 1988. The sanctuary is rich in forest
reserve with abundant patches of virgin forest. It is one of
the most conserved forest reserves with rich Bio-diversity in
the state.
Indian Gaur is the prime attraction of this sanctuary. Apart
from it, leaf monkey, hoolock gibbon, capped langur, stump
tailed macaque, wild pig, wild cat, leopard, barking deer,
sambar etc are found along with a number of birds including
pheasants. The dense forest covers 62% of the total area, 18%
is covered by degraded forest and the rest 20% is covered by
bushy forest. The sanctuary has a number of rivulets, water
bodies and grass land. The sanctuary has Tropical Semi
Evergreen Forest, East Himalayan lower Bhabar sal, Moist mixed
deciduous Forest and Savanah wood land. One species of Bamboo
Oxtenanthera Nigrocilliate locally known as Kaillai is found
in abundance at this place, leaves of which are liked by the
Gaur. This bamboo is said to be endemic. There are 230 nos of
tree species, 400 nos of herbs, 110. nos of shrubs and 150 nos
of climbers available in the Sanctuary. |
