Tripura is a mountainous land cleft by valleys of about ten rivers. Legends speak of the existence of Tripura as a political entity from the days of the epic, Mahabharata. The temples reflect the religious preference of a long established Hindu dynasty.

Flat plains and warm humidity make Tripura a travellers’ dream.

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s novel Rajashri and the play Visharjan grew out of legends of Manikya dynasty of Tripura.

LIFE STYLE: colours and moods
People: Eighteen  tribes with all their traditions and customs make Tripura a cosmopolitan state. Tipras dominate all other tribes of the state. Laskars and Notias are the other two Tipra groups of tribes. This group belongs to the Bodo race. The Mundas, Oraons, Santhals, Bhils, Lepchas, Bhutias migrated to Tripura in recent past. The Kukis form another group of tribes in the state. Hindus are in overwhelming majority. Tribal prefers highlands and relatively remote tracts while others live in the plains.

ART and CRAFT/ DRESS and DESIGN: Different ethnic groups in Tripura make excellent variety of handicrafts using bamboo and cane. The most famous products are Room Divider, decorated Wall Panels, attractive furniture, dining table mats, floor mats etc. Tourists can watch the craft persons at work in different villages.

Fairs and Festivals:

Dances: The main folk dances are Hozagiri dance of Reangs; Garia, Jhum, Maimita, Masan Sumani and Lebang Boomani dances of Tripuri community; Biju dance of Chakmas; Cherew and Welcome dances of Lushai; Hai- hak of Malsum; Wangala of Garo; Sangralana, Chimithang, Padisha and Abhangma dances of Mog, Garia dances of Kalai and Jamatia communities; Gajan, Dhamali, Sari and Ravindra dances of Bengali; Basanta Ras and Pung Chalam dances of Manipuris. Each community has its own traditional musical instruments. The important being Khamb (drum), Bamboo Flute, Sarinda, Do- Tara and Khen-Grong etc.

Agartala, the capital of Tripura, houses many spots. Important among them are -

Ujjayanta Palace: the famous royal house, at the heart of the city covering an area of one sq. km., was built in 1901. It is set with the huge Mughal style gardens, beautified by pools and musical fountain, crafted doors etc.

Chaturdas Devtabari: The fourteen goddesses are worshipped every year in July for seven days, which is popularly known as Kharchi Puja. Large numbers of pilgrim assemble here to pay their offers.

Govt. Museum: It displays some rare stone images, old coins, Bengal Kantha and archaeological findings from Tripura and adjoining areas. Also interesting are the life-size portraits of the former rulers of the state.

Arkaneer: Developed by the Science and Technology Department. It encompasses a Museum and a subliminal image of Wildlife  

Sepahijala: More than 150 species of residential birds are found here. Winter brings here a flock of birds. An Orchid Garden, a Botanical Garden and a Zoo make Sepahijala a Tourists’ delight. Variety of wildlife and unshackled scenic beauty plus rubber and coffee plantations are worth- seeing. Elephant joy- rides and boating facilities are added advantages.

"Barbe's Leaf monkey" popularly known as Spectacled Monkey

Kamalasagar: Situated just beside the Bangladesh border. There is a Kali Temple, on a hill- top, built in the 15^th century. A lake, in front of the Temple, alloys pilgrimage with beauty.

Neermahal, the water palace, built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, as a Summer Resort is located in the center of a lake. This lake, covering an area of 5.3 sq. km., attracts migratory birds during winter. It is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architectural designs, presently mixed with well-laid gardens and flood lighting.

TOURISM PLUS

Wildlife Tourism: Tripura, the tiny land- locked state, has a wide variety of forests and wildlife, which can prove attractive enough for the tourists and the inquisitive.

Rowa, Sepahijala, Trishna and Gumti are the four sanctuaries in this state. There is a vast water reservoir covering approximately 300-sq. km. in Gumti. This reservoir attracts many resident and migratory birds. Rowa presents ample scope for a Botanist’s study. In Trishna, there are patches of virgin forests, which are rich in rare vegetation. The crab eating Mongoose, which were last sighted about 72 years ago in India, has been rediscovered in Sepahijala.

For visiting Rowa, accommodation is available with Forest Rest Houses at Dharamnagar, Juri and Pecharthal, for which the DFO, Northern Division, Kailasahar is to be contacted. For Gumti, Forest Rest House at Gandachara, Tourist Lodge at Tirthamukh and PWD Inspection Bungalow at Jatanbari may be available