Agartala is the capital of Tripura. Agartala is derived from two words Agar and Tala. Agar means a kind of oily valuable perfume tree and Tala means a store house. In this region, visitors can see Agar trees abundantly. Several dynasties ruled this place namely Loknath Jivandharan, Dharmapha, Drikpati, Chitrarath, Manikya dynasties. This place got important after Maharaja Krishna Manikya shifting his capital to this city. This city is famous for lakes, temples, hills, gardens, Palaces. Most prominent festivals are Durga Pooja and Saraswati Pooja. Main business centres are Kaman Chowmuhani and Gol Bazaar.

 

What to see in Agartala:

Buddha Temple: It is located at the centre of the city which was built in 1946. Two idols of this temple are Lord Buddha and Bodhisattva. Within the temple premises beautiful garden welcomes the visitors.

Kunjaban Palace: This was a recreation place to King Birendra Kishore Manikya which was built in 1927. Currently this is acting as official Governors residence of Tripura.

Ujjayanta Palace: This was built during 1899- 1901 by Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya. Earlier this was the royal Palace but now this is acting as meeting place of Tripura Legislative Assembly. It was built in Indo Greek Style.

State Museum: This was built in 1970. Museum consists of 4 galleries namely Tribal culture, Indian Sculpture, Painting and archaeology. Major attraction of this museum are Jewellery, oil paintings, stone inscriptions, Bronze image, Textiles, Copper Inscriptions, Terracotta, Sculptures, Coins.

Tribal Museum: This museum gives details of 19 tribes of Tripura.

ISKCON Math Chowmuhani: It is located at Banmalipur, Agartala. To improve the life of Tripura people, lot of work had done by this Math. It always engaged in spreading Krishna’s consciousness.

Jagannath Temple: Temple is in orange colour. This was built by Manikyas. Arabic and Hemadpanthi style can be seen here.

Other attractions of Agartala: Other attractions of Agartala are Mariyam Nagar Church, Gedu Miar Maszid, Kamaleswari Temple, Umamaheswar Temple, Rabindra Kanan, Domboor Lake.

 

What to see around Agartala:

Venuban Vihar: It is located just 2kms away from Agartala. Idol of Lord Buddha was brought to India from Burma.

Kamala Sagar: It is located 24kms away from the city. At the banks of this lake Goddess Kali Temple is situated. This is the best picnic spot for Tripura. It is a vast lake at border of Bangladesh.

Chaturdasa Devata: Major attraction of this temple is image of Gods and Goddess called Chaturdasa Devata. This image consists of 14 heads. Temple also consists of Garbhagriha and Nat Mandapa. It is located 7kms away from the city.

Neermahal Water Palace: It was built in the centre of the Lake Rudrasagar by Kishore Manikya in 1930 as a summer resort.

Other attractions near Agartala: Other attractions near Agartala are Tripurasundari Temple, Chittangong Hills, Chowda Devta Temple, Sepahijala Nature Reserve.

 

Getting to Agartala: Agartala is well connected with road, rail and air ways. From Kolkata, Guwahati buses are available to reach Agartala. Only few trains come to Agartala station. Nearest railway head is located at Kumarghat which is 160kms away from Agartala. Agartala airport is well connected to Kolkata and Guwahati.

 

Getting around Agartala: Cycle rickshaws are available to see the places in Agartala. Autos, Taxis and buses are available to visit the surrounding places of Agartala.

 

Best time to visit Agartala: Best time to visit this place is between October to March.

 

Where to stay in Agartala: All range of hotels are available. But luxury hotels are very few in the city. Government guest houses are also available to stay. Cost of budget hotels is ranging between Rs.200 to Rs.500. Luxury hotels cost is ranging between Rs.2500 to Rs.4000.

 

Where to eat in Agartala: Very limited restaurants in Agartala. Hotels are offering Continental, Chinese and Indian cuisines. Bengali cuisines and sweets are most popular in Agartala.