Tripura Introduction

The population, mostly of Tibeto - Burmese origin, took up Vaishnava Hinduism early, and was ruled continuously by rajas until Indian independence. Other major ethnic groups in Tripura are the Kukis, related to the Shans of Burma, Chakmas, Moghs, Lusharis and Riangs.

After independence Tripura joined the Indian union in 1949 and became a state in 1972.

General information
 

Population	3,191,168
Area	10,491.69 sq km
Capital	Agartala
Languages Spoken	Bengali, Kakbarak and Manipuri
District	4
People Per Sq. km	304
Literacy	73.66%

Fairs and Festivals
 

Name	Location	Month
Ashokastami Festival	Unakoti	April
Garia and Gajan Festival	Throughout the state	April
Rabindra/ Nazrul Jayanti	Throughout the state	May
Kharchi Festival	14 Goddess Temple, Old Agartala	July
Boat Race	Melaghar/ Gandacherra	August
Manasa Mangal	Throughout the state	August
Durga Puja	Throughout the state	October
Dewali Festival	Mata Tripureswari Temple Premises, Udaipur	November
Rasha Festival	Kamalpur, Kailashahar, Khowai, Agartala	November
Orange & Tourism Festival	Jampui Hill Range	November
Book Fair	Agartala	January
Pous Sankranti Mela	TirthaMukh	January

Art and Handicraft

Cane & Bamboo Handicrafts
The Gifted artisans produce wonderful objects of crafts from simple material like cane, bamboo & wood. Tripura's unique topography and the gracious nature bestowed their choicest blessings on the hereditary artisans of Tripura. Cane & Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura. From cradle to grave, there is hardly any occasion, complete without the use of cane & bamboo.

 For interior decoration Tripura Handicrafts offer a wide range of false ceilings, paneling, plaques, Pot containers(Planters) etc. made of Gossamer thin bamboo mattress. Ornated with wood inlay and cane & bamboo. The household items have blended utility with artistic beauty. Panels and partitions provide another wide range of utility items made out of solid but thinly splitted bamboo pasted on plywood. Lamp shades made of fine strips of cane & bamboo add distinct touch and glamour to the living room. Exhibiting a rare combination of tradition and talent, their products would brighten up the interiors demonstrating the taste and feeling of the connoisseurs. The supply capacity is much less for the exquisite item. Furniture of Tripura once exclusive to royal palaces continue to have its excellence and exquisite workmanship. For the elegant Drawing Rooms there are Bamboo-Cane, Sofa sets, Garden Chairs, Dinning Chairs, Baby Chairs, Center & Side Tables, Morah, Apple Morah etc.  
 

Places of interest

Agartala

Is a small town of 60,000 people, surrounded by hills on three sides, with a palace erected in 1940 by Maharaja Bikram, a Philanthropist who helped Rabindranath Tagore finance the Shantiniketan University in Bengal. The Palace set in "Mughal Gardens" is now the state assembly house.

It is said that the old cannons on display used to be fired in salute once a year, until 16thcentury, when a thousand human sacrifices were held in Agartala.

General Information
 

Altitude	1280 meters.
Rainfall	22.4 cm (June to August).
Best Season	September to March.
Temperature	Summer- Max. 35 Min. 21.7; Winter- Max. 25 Min. 10.1.
STD Code	381

How to get there 

Air
Agartala is connected by air with Calcutta, Guwahati, Delhi.

Rail
The two nearest railway stations are Kumarghat (160 km) and Dharama Nagar (200 km). Both the stations are on the North-East Frontier Railway.

Road 
Good motorable roads connect Agartala with Silchar- 288 km, Guwahati- 599 km, Shillong- 499 km, Dharmanagar- 200 km.

In and around

Ujjayanta Palace
Ujjayanta Palace In the Indo-Saracenic style, was built in 1901 and houses the state legislature. The ceiling of a Chinese room is remarkable.

Kunjavan Palace
Kunjavan Palace, an old country palace, now the governor's residence.

Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple, is a19th century structure with a four storied shikhara.

State Museum
It has a collection of archaeological fines and other exhibits.

Purbasha 
A gateway to the exotic world of the region's traditional handicrafts. One can see craftsmen at work.

Chaturdasa Devta Temple
Chaturdasa Devta Temple has a dome surmounted by a stupa- like structure, dedicated to 14 gods and goddesses. The deities are represented only by their heads.

Sephahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
33 km has a zoo, Botanical garden, picnic spots, lakes, elephant rides and a toy train.

Rudra Sagar (Neer Mahal)
Rudra Sagar (Neer Mahal)- 53 km, Kamala Sagar - 27 km, there is 16th century temple dedicated to goddesses Kali a top a hill.

Bramhakund
48 km, known for fairs held in April and November. There are Tea gardens en route.

Tripura Sundari Temple
57 km, one of the 51 'Pithasthanas'.

Dumbur lake
A panorama of water and 48 islands. A motor or a country boat ride is an experience.

Pilak
A treasure house of Buddhist sculptures dating back to the 8th - 9th century.

Deotamura
'The peak of the gods' has panels of images carved on the hill on bank of the Gumti river, situated between Udaipur and Amarpur sub - division.

Unakoti
It has unique sculpture, rock cut and others, including one of Shiva. The sculptures, one less than 10 million, were reportedly created by a divinely blessed artist in one night in the 12th century. Jampui Hills-250 km at a height of 3,000 ft, is known for its pleasant climate, oranges and a window to ethnic life.

Entry Formalities
Foreign tourists visiting Tripura are required to obtain a permit from The Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India.