Places of Interest

Kunjaban Palace, also known as ‘Pushpabanta Palace’, was built over a green hillock at the northern part of Agartala city. Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909-1923) selected this beautiful place for building a suburban palace as a retreat and constructed it in 1917 which was named as ‘Pushpabanta Palace’. The Maharaja himself being a gifted artist is said to have drawn the plan of the palace and its adjoining garden. Poet Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of this palace during his 7th and last visit to the state in 1926. This palace was the mute witness to many of the great poet's creations including a number of popular songs. This palace is the official residence of the Governor of Tripura now. The southern side of the garden has been made open for the public and has been named as ‘Rabindra Kanan’.

Heritage Park is an oasis of serenity over an area of about 4 hectares of land at Kunjaban in Agartala. It takes the visitor to a surreal world, providing a glimpse of the natural and cultural heritage of Tripura. The park abounds in a variety of indigenous plants and trees, including medicinal herbs which support a variety of avian fauna. An assortment of artifacts in various forms are scattered around the park, including heritage benches, pottery, woodcraft, stone. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on November 30, 2012 inaugurated Heritage Park, the first ever initiative of its kind in Tripura and the Northeast Region. The park spreads over 4 hectares of undulating landscape showcases miniature of nine major heritage sites of the state including Unakoti hill sculptures, Neer Mahal, Tripurasundari Temple, Debtamura hill sculptures, archaeological relics of Pilak, Chandrapur Mosque (Rajnagar, Belonia), Mahamuni, Ujjayanta Palace, Chaturdash Devta Mandir etc. The park is also embellished with walking trail, amphi-theatre, grass lawns, rock garden, fossil fountain etc. Emphasis has been laid on the use of local material including bamboo and even waste articles in constructions. Each structure, including public conveniences, has been set up in consonance with the surroundings and provides a heritage touch. Ramp has been provided at the entrance for the elderly and differently-abled persons.

Termed mainly as a Buddhist heitage site floursihing between 8-12th centuries of the Christian era this has also given signs of Hinduism. The significant spots discovered here are Shyam Sundar Tilla, Deb Bari, Thakurani Tilla, Balir Pathar, Basudev Bari and Sagar Deba. A number of rock-cut images and terracotta plaques, still speaking of a unique glorious cultural past of Tripura, are lying scattered in various places of the area. Some of the important images found there are Avolokiteswar, Mahisasur Mardini, bronze images of Buddha and Vishnu in addition to terracotta plaques, sealing Coins etc. The molded terracotta plaques bear resemblance with molded plaques recovered from Paharpur and Mainamati. The Buddhist Complex here may be assigned a date between 9 and 10 century A.D. It may be presumed that these extensive plains of Tripura were under the control of several dynasties who ruled in Eastern Bengal and Samatat in ancient period. Some of them were Buddhists and the others were Hindu's. Most of these rulers had their capitals near this region.

It is located about 14 Km. away from Agartala at a place called Old Agartala. In the face of continued fight with Shamser Gazi, Maharaja Krishna Manikya had shifted the capital from Udaipur to Old Agartala. It continued to be the capital till it was shifted to Agartala. Near the sacred 14 goddess temple during the month of July every year a Kharchi festival is organised and thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this festival.

This magnificent lake palace was constructed as a summer resort in 1930 by late Maharaja Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur. Neermahal is situated at a distance of 53 km. from Agartala in the middle of a natural lake called Rudrasagar having an area of 5.35 Sq.Km. The construction was undertaken by Martin & Burn Co. and it is the only lake palace in the entire eastern India. A good combination of Hindu and Mughal architecture is noticed on the domes of the palace. There are mainly two parts of the palace - one on the western side known as Andar Mahal which was used by the royal family and another on the eastern side which was used for the security personnel and servants. There is a beautiful garden laid in the western side of the palace. In the garden there is an open stage where drama, theatre, etc. used to be organized. Flood lighting of the palace, Light and Sound show etc. have been later additions to this magnificent palace.

Situated at a distance of 25 km. from Agartala, Sepahijala covering an area of 18.532 km. is the natural habitat for more than150 species of residential birds, migratory birds, orchids. It attractions include boating facilities, wild life, botanical garden, zoo, elephant joy-rides, rubber and coffee plantation. The famous spectacled monkey is found here.

Vast lake at the border of Bangladesh was excavated by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in the 15th century. Overlooking Bangladesh, on the bank of Kamalasagar, there is a famous temple of Goddess Kali dating back to 16th century. It is one of the excellent picnic spots in the state with scenic beauty.

A water area of 41 sq.km. with an un-ending spell of luxuriant green vegetation all around stands majestic for her exceedingly charming beauty and 48 islands in the midst of the lake Migratory birds, Water sports facilities are additional attractions. There is a Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati originates and this is called Tirthamukh where on 14th January every year famous 'Pous Sankranti Mela' takes place. The lake is the confluence of rivers Raima and Sarma. Various species of migratory birds are noticed in the winter and it has rich reservoir of natural and cultured fishes.