Where is Agartala?
Agartala is located in the state of Tripura in Northeast India. The state
of Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on its northwest and south, by
Mizoram on its east and by Assam on its northeast.
What is the city famous for?
The city of Agartala is famous for its twin modern palaces- the Ujjayanta
Palace and the Kunjavan Palace. The rich cultural diversity of the place is
no less attraction.
How will you gain access?
The city of Agaratala is connected by air to Kolkata, Guwahati and Delhi.
Kumarghat (160 km) and Dharmanagar (200 km) are the closest railway
stations. By road, the city has links with Silchar (228 km), Guwahati (599
km), Shillong (499 km)and Dharmanagar(200 km).
What does the climate say?
Agartala does not face extremes of temperature. Maximum temperature during
the summers records 35 degrees centigrade while in winters it drops down to
a minimum of only 10 degrees centigrade. Juneto August is the time of the
monsoons. The average rainfall of the city records 22.4 cm.
What magnetises people?
» Ujjayanta Palace
The splendid Ujjayanta Palace owes its credit to Mharaja Radha Kishore
Manikya, who built the palace between 1899 and 1901. This three storeyed
mansion stands over an area of one sq km. The magnificent tile floor, curved
wooden ceiling and wonderfully crafted doors leave no one unmoved. Beautiful
Mughal-style gardens and the enchanting pools add to the charm all the more.
» Kunjavan Palace
Heading 1 km northwards from Ujjayanta Palace, one comes to the
intoxicating green hillock called Kunjavan (bower). it was Raja Birendra
Kishore Manikya who chose this beautiful place to erect the Kunjavan Palace.
The plan of the palace was chalked out by the king himself. Even poet
Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of the palace during his
last visit to the state in 1926.
» Jagannath Temple
Apart from being an important pilgrimage site, the Jaganntah Temple is
considered to be an architectural wonder. Standing on an octagonal base, the
imposing structure has pillars crowned by square and pyramidal cones.
» Banuvan Vihar
The Banuvan Vihar is a popular Buddhist shrine in the city. The shrine has
cautiously preserved some beautiful metal-idols of Lord Budhha and
Bodhisatva. On the Buddha Purnima Day, Buddha Jayanti is celebrated here
with great enthusiasm.
Which are the nearby hotels?
Agartala has a number of private hotels, as well as State Governement
Tourist Lodges. Hotel Welcome Palace (Hari Ganga Basak Road) is a 3-star
private hotel. Other private hotels of the city include names like Hotel
Radha International (54 Central Road), Hotel Rajdhani (B.K. Raod), Royal
Guest House (Palace Compound), Hotel Haven (H.G.B. Road) etc. Hotel City
Centre (H.G.B. Road) is a Government approved hotel in the city.
Where should you shop?
The exquisite hand looms and handicrafts of the city offer a perfect
insight into the brilliant workmanship of the people of the city. An
interesting variety of handicrafts is created by ordinary materials like
bamboo, cane, palm leaves etc. One can find furniture, toys, lamp shades,
baskets, ivory work and Tripuran tribal jewellery, making it all a wonderful
shopping experience. Visitors can even watch crafts workmen at work while
shopping at Purbasha.
