Tripura
Small north-eastern state of palaces, lakes, temples and forested hills, bordered by Bangladesh.
Tripura is a small, hilly state in north-east India, bordered on three sides by Bangladesh and linked to the rest of India through Assam and Mizoram. It mixes Bengali and indigenous Tripuri (Kokborok-speaking) cultures and is known for royal palaces of the Manikya kings, Hindu and Buddhist heritage, rock carvings at Unakoti, lakes and forest sanctuaries.
Highlights: Ujjayanta Palace and the Tripura State Museum in Agartala · Neermahal water palace on Rudrasagar lake · Rock-cut Shiva reliefs at Unakoti · Tripura Sundari temple at Udaipur, a Shakti Peetha · Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary and its spectacled monkeys · Orange orchards and Mizo villages of the Jampui Hills · Akhaura border retreat ceremony near Agartala
When to go
Green best · blue good · red avoid · this month outlinedDestinations
Towns, valleys and cities worth the trip, with how they rate this month.
Agartala
Capital of Tripura, with the Ujjayanta Palace, royal-era temples and the Akhaura border nearby.
Udaipur
Old royal capital known for the Tripura Sundari temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Neermahal
Royal water palace in the middle of Rudrasagar lake, near Melaghar.
Unakoti
Forest hill with huge rock-cut Shiva reliefs and stone images, near Kailashahar.
Jampui Hills
Cool ridge of Mizo villages and orange orchards on the Mizoram border, with views of sunrise and the valleys.
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
Forest sanctuary near Agartala known for spectacled monkeys, a zoo, a lake and a clouded leopard enclosure.
Pilak
Archaeological site with Buddhist and Hindu terracotta plaques and sculptures near Jolaibari.
Dumboor Lake
Large reservoir with dozens of islands, near Gandacherra; site of the Tirthamukh fair.
Top sights
Tripura Sundari Temple
Sixteenth-century Shakti Peetha at Matabari near Udaipur, built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501.
Kasbeswari Kali Mata
Kali temple on the bank of Kamalasagar lake near the Bangladesh border, about 25 km from Agartala.
Unakoti
Hill of giant rock-cut Shiva carvings near Kailashahar, with the 30-foot Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava head.
Tripura Government Museum
State museum inside Ujjayanta Palace with sculptures from Pilak and Udaipur, coins, bronzes and textiles.
Agartala Jagannath Mandir
Nineteenth-century temple by Ujjayanta Palace, with an octagonal base and a mix of Hindu and Islamic styles.
Chaturdasha Temple
Temple of the Fourteen Gods in Old Agartala, centre of the royal Kharchi Puja every July.
Jampui Hills
Mizo-inhabited hill range on the Mizoram border, known for orange orchards, tea and views from Thaidawr peak.
Ujjayanta Palace
Former royal palace of the Manikya kings in central Agartala, now home to the Tripura State Museum.
Nature and outdoors
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
Forest sanctuary about 25 km from Agartala with a zoo, the Clouded Leopard National Park, lakes and spectacled langurs.
Kamalasagar
Ten-acre lake dug in the 15th century beside the Kasba Kali temple on the Bangladesh border.
Bijoy sagar
One of the largest old man-made lakes of Udaipur, beside the Mahadeb Bari Shiva temple.
Rudrasagar Lake
Large lake at Melaghar around the Neermahal palace, a Ramsar wetland with boat rides.
Dumboor Lake
Drum-shaped reservoir of 48 islands in Dhalai district, source of the Gomati river at Tirthamukh.
Khumulwng Eco Park
Eco park near Jirania with a lake, a small zoo and a tribal museum on Tripura's nineteen tribes.
Heritage Park
Twelve-acre park by Raj Bhavan with miniature replicas of Unakoti, Neermahal and other Tripura landmarks.
Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary
Wildlife sanctuary in Tripura, India
Things to do
Where to eat
Neel Nod
Restaurant at Hotel Sonar Tori serving Thai and Indian food, with a good vegetarian range.
Garam Tawa
Indian restaurant on NH 44 near Jahar Bridge.
Abhishek Restaurant
Biryani and North Indian restaurant at Ker Chowmuhani.
Kurry Klub
Indian restaurant at Hotel Welcome Palace on HGB Road.
Momos N More
Small eatery at Advisor Chowmuhani for momos, fried rice and noodles.
Restaurant Rajdhani
Top-floor restaurant of Hotel Rajdhani on BK Road with a multi-cuisine menu.
Abhishek Hotel and Restaurant
Chinese and Indian restaurant opposite Rabindra Bhawan.
Coffee Tea and Me
Cafe on TG Road, Ram Nagar for coffee, sandwiches and desserts.