Tripura: Inside Travel Guide & Tips
Tucked in the northeastern corner of India, Tripura shares the majority of its border with Bangladesh. Nationally, the state shares borders with Mizoram and Assam. In terms of area, the state is the third smallest in the country.
The ethnic set up of Tripura is not quite what existed originally as the native tribal population or the people who were the original residents here have been reduced to minority numbers. The reason is a large number of people fleeing Bangladesh at the time of partition.
Having a look at the tourism sector, the state has very fewer tourists opting for a tour through it (even lesser go for a solo tour, just having Tripura in their itinerary).
But let us tell you that lesser tourist traffic does not mean that the state is anywhere behind the others, but stands apart in terms of its natural and cultural wealth that is extremely rich and spectacular.
And to shed light on the ignorance and for the purpose of shattering all the misconceptions, we bring to you this brief tour guide that will give you a small peek into the state’s offerings for the travelers:
Table of Contents
Best Time To Visit Tripura
Nature and seasons commanding their will here, we can say that the time starting from October month till May month will be the best time to visit Tripura.
This is because winters and summers make for the ideal time to take up sightseeing of the majority of destinations and that too with much ease.
During the other part of the year, i.e. the time starting from the month of June to September, planning a tour is not at all recommended because the state receives heavy rainfall during this time.
The result is that the state sees heavy disruption in day to day life and communication links.
How To Reach Tripura
Tripura can be reached through the international bus service link that starts from Kolkata, West Bengal, then travels through Dhaka, Bangladesh to reach Agartala, Tripura. Same day visa service is provided from Agartala on the production of required documents.
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The people who wish to travel by air can take a flight either to Kolkata, Guwahati, or Silchar and then can transfer by road to the state. Also, an air link has been established recently from Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport to Agartala.
Rail services provide an excellent connection to Agartala and there is daily train connectivity. There are connection between cities Silchar in Assam, Lumding in Assam, and Dharmanagar in Tripura. It is advised that the train running between Agartala and Lumding should be booked well in advance as it is an express train that sees heavy booking for both to and fro journeys.
Shopping in Tripura
- Cottage and small scale industries have been promoted here by the government which is the reason why you can buy some really amazing stuff made from Bamboo and timber.
- You can also go for buying articles employing the art of carpentry, weaving, pottery, basket- making etc which have been pursued traditionally by the native people.
- Good quality of canned fruit is also available here. So if you can take some back home, it would make for fairly good gifts for your near and dear ones; and if you can’t then you can yourself enjoy the pleasure of these, while here.
- Tribal jewelry which is excellent for making a bold fashion statement will be loved by women shoppers here.
For purchasing authentic products, one can visit the government emporiums. But this does not mean that private stores don’t offer specialty goods. One more tip that we would like to give is that if you really wish to see how the native communities and tribals pursue traditional handicraft making, you can go to the villages to have an unadulterated look at the process.
Tripura Fairs & Festivals
Kharchi Puja
Keeping up the trend in North East India, where Mother Nature is worshipped for endowing us with its beautiful gifts and for sustaining life with its rich resources, Tripura celebrated Kharchi Puja where Mother Earth is worshipped for all what she blesses the humankind with. The festivities go on for seven days and are held in temple premises.
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Ashokashtami
This is a sort of festival where devotees gather at a particular revered place to worship i.e. Unakoti Teertha. Here many rock-cut sculptures of local deities can be seen on the Unakoti Hill and it becomes a splendid time at the time of festival with devotees even taking a holy dip in the Ashtami Kund.
Garia Puja
This is a festival of the Autumn season and is celebrated at a grand scale with scores of puja pandals erected at every next nook of the state. Festivities span four days and Goddess Durga’s victory over demon Mahishasura is celebrated.
Buddha Jayanti
Offering one of the most resplendent views of festivities of Tripura, Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in the month of May every year. Along with all the regular things, there is a large fair erected for the occasion.
Ker Puja
Starting 15 days after Kharchi Puja, this puja is performed to please the Deity Ker who guards Vaastu Devata. The belief system of this festival says that it was seen as a ritual to ward off any external aggression or calamities that might be approaching to protect the land for the masses.
Tourist Attractions in Tripura
Ujjayanta Palace
The architectural prowess of this white palace will leave you spellbound the moment you will lay your eyes upon it. It houses a museum with a good curation on display and formerly it was the royal palace of Tripura.
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
Well maintained sanctuary in Tripura, Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary has a good variety of fauna species to watch out for. During the months of January and February, elephant rides are also offered within the acreage.
Unakoti
The legend has it that Lord Shiva and his entourage rested at this place before continuing their journey for Kailash. The entourage was turned into stones because of their inability to wake up early while the great Lord was already awake. Thus this place has equal importance as a worship place (during Ashokashtami) and a sightseeing destination.
Neermahal Palace
Reach this magnificent site by boat cruising over the beautiful waters. Although the boats are a little crowded but it’s all worth it; although to avoid the crowd, you can take the first boat in the morning.
Tripurasundari Temple
The architecture of the temple is splendid and you can find a beautiful pond by the side of it which is brimming with life. Feeding the fish and turtles is a thing that people enjoy and it is strictly prohibited to harm these animals.
Outside the temple, there are various eateries where you can find interesting things to eat, and inside the temple compound, the best thing to find will be the sweet ‘pedal’.
