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Tripura has several diverse ethno-linguistic groups,
which has given rise to a composite culture. The dominant culture is Bengali,
while minority cultures are those of the Tripuris,Jamatia, Reang, Noatia, Koloi,
Murasing, Chakma, Halam, Garo, Kuki, Lushai, Mogh, Munda, Oraon, Santhal and
Uchoi.
Fair & Festivals
Next in importance come Ker
and Garia Pujas - both are traditional tribal festivals. The former is
celebrated two weeks after Kharchi Puja. The guardian deity of Vastu Devata is
Ker. A large piece of bamboo when bent in a particular
fashion
assumes the image of Ker. It is generally believe
On the seventh day of the month of Baisakh (April) is held the Garia Puja - another important festival for the tribals of the state. The celebration starts from the last day of Chaitra. Two deities- Kalia and Garia - are worshipped. The Puja is held to propitiate the deity for blessings. The Garia is a community festival. Sacrifice of cocks is an important feature of the Puja. Another equally important feature is dancing and rejoicing after the Puja. The Garia dance is very popular among the Tripuris and the Reangs. Symbolic of the worship of the deities as well as of the socio-economic activities of the households, these dances represent hunting, fishing, food-gathering and various other activities.
After Navanna; the festival of new rice, Ganga Puja is celebrated in March-April every year. This is another remarkable tribal festival. Ganga, it may be recalled, is one of the fourteen deities of the land. Like Garia Puja, this too is a community festival. People gather by the streamside, pare three piece of bamboo into beautiful flowers, the villagers then build a temple with bamboos in the middle of the stream, and the ageless rituals take place amidst joy and splendour. God is propitiated by the sacrifice of goats, buffaloes and ganders to save the people from any epidemic.
The Puja offers a unique opportunity to see the organisational ability of the young men at its best. A very healthy competition develops among different club or Para boys to exhibit the Para Puja in its best form.
This Puja was also an occasion for a social get-together. On the night of the Vijaya-Dashami, the ruling house used to hold a great community dinner known as Hasam Bhojan. Two explanations are offered for this dinner entertainment. One is that this was an occasion to honour the soldiers of the soil. The other is that the phrase is a concept form of Asama Bhojan which means a community dinner of unequal.
The fairs and melas of Tripura are mainly of the religious type. They are:
Baisakhi mela (discontinued since 1956) held every year at Agartala in the months of Baisakh under the patronage of the Maharaja himself. Besides local products, merchandise mainly consisting of wooden chests and implements used to be imported for sale. Tribals used to make their annual purchases.
Pous-Sankranti (or Makar Sankranti) mela at Tirthamukh in Amarpur sub-division attracts a large number of devotees from all parts of the state. The mela is held at the source of the Gomati river popularly known as Tirthamukh. The devotees take a holy dip in the river on the day which marks the commencement of the Sun's northern course- the last day of the month of Pousa (mid - Jan). Pous-Sankranti mela is also held in other parts of the state of which mention may be made of Burbaria fair (in Amarpur sub-division), Mahamanipara fair at Belonia, Muhuripur fair, Radhamadhabipura fair at Kanchanpur in Larmanagar sub-division.
At Unakotitirtha in Kailashahar sub-division is held the Ashokastami fair in March-April every year. Thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the state assemble here to offer Puja to the numerous rock-cut images of gods and goddesses found on the walls of the Unakoti hill.
Dance Culture of the State
Garia Dance
Handicrafts of Tripura
Cane & Bamboo Handicrafts From time immemorial Tripura has carved out a name for itself in the field of Handicrafts. The Gifted artisans produce wonderful objects of crafts from simple material like cane, bamboo & wood. There rare artistic skill has not been streamlined in the manufacture of exquisite household pieces. Tripura's unique topography and the gracious nature bestowed their choicest blessings on the hereditary artisans of Tripura. Here three distinct cultures viz. Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam have converged together to give shape and content to a unique tradition that found eloquent expression through immemorable work of art & crafts made out of very simple materials like cane, bamboo, clay, wood, palm leaf etc. With the passage of time, there has been changes in the demographic character of the state. But in each phase of her history, Tripura has shown remarkable inner strength of assimilation of synthesis, while retaining her own traditional heritage. With the original distinct tribal motifs were added the skills of Manipuri and Bengali artisans who came subsequently to settle in this land. Time has changed and so also the quick adaptability of our gifted artisans who never failed to respond to the demands of contemporary tastes. 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.
Cane/ Bamboo handicrafts of Tripura are acknowledged to be among the best in the country, due to their beauty, elegance and exquisite designs. A vast range of items are produced, including Furniture, Panels and Partitions, Table Mats & other Mat products , Lamp Shades etc. Tripura handicrafts are also being exported to various countries.
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. The THHDC undertakes interior decoration works in hotels, conference rooms, show rooms interiors of different Govt. buildings with there beautiful bamboo & cane materials of Tripura on turnkey basis.
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, there products would brighten up the interiors demonstrating the taste and feeling of the connoisseurs. The supply capacity is much less for the exquisite item.
Baskets knitted out of Cane & Bamboo Strips, offer a whole range of products . Exquisite tray Planters, Fruit Baskets of different shapes, sizes, pattern and designs as a rare combination of art and utility. A wide range of baskets and baskets with divisions are being used for making gift packages with some traditional artistic touches by the consumers.
Mat and mat articles, bamboo chatai etc. have good demand in the market. There are different types of roll mats weaved in multicolored designs which are familiar for making door & window screen, and also have various uses for room decoration.
Amongst the Mat articles ladies bag, Hand fans, Portfolio bag (for seminar) etc. are the most popular items. On the consoetic table as well, there are quite a number of items to present. Some of those are small framed mirror, Hair Clips, Powder Case, Decorative Trays etc.
Bamboo and cane Ornaments are also very intricate and exquisite in nature. Bamboo and cane ornaments are not available in any other part of the country as well as abroad
Place of Intrest
The main attractions in Agartala are Ujjayanta Palace, State Museum, Tribal Museum, Sukanta Academy, M.B.B. College, Laxminarayan Temple, Uma Maheswar Temple, Jagannath Temple, Benuban Bihar, Gedu Mian Mosque, Malanch Niwas, Rabindra Kanan, Purbasha, Handicrafts Designing Centre, Fourteen Goddess Temple, Portuguese Church etc.
Ujjayanta Palace
A green hillock known as Kunjaban ( a bower) for its scenic beauty stands to the north of Ujjayanta palace at a distance of about 1 Km. Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya (1909-1923) selected this beautiful place for building a suburban palace for retreat and constructed a palace in 1917 which was named as ‘Pushbanta Palace’. The Maharaja himself being gifted artist is said to have drawn the plan of the palace and its adjoining garden. Poet Rabindranath Tagore stayed in the eastern apartment of this palace during his 7th and last visit to the state in 1926. This palace was the mute witness to many of the great poet's creations including a number of popular songs. There are well laid gardens and lawns inside the palace which is the official residence of the Governor of Tripura now. The southern side of the garden has been made open for the public and has been named as ‘Rabindra Kanan’.
Malancha Niwas The Bungalow adjacent to Kunjaban palace situated on a hillock was originally a kaccha house where Tagore stayed during his visit in 1919. The pucca construction was subsequently built and given the name of Malancha Niwas.
It is Shaiba pilgrimage and dates back to 7th
– 9th centuries if not earlier. The marvelous rock
The images found at Unakoti are of two types namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’ is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti. Every year a big fair popularly known as ‘Ashokastami Mela’ is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims.
Treasure house of Hindu and Buddhist Sculpture. It dates back to 8th and 9th centuries. Beautiful images scattered in an area of about 10 Sq.Km. have been found. The images, terracotta plaques and sealing found here reflect survival of heterodox creeds and sects representing both Hinduism and Buddhism. Colossal stone images of Avolokiteshwar and Narasimha have been found here.
This temple is one of the 51 pithasthans in India as per Hindu mythology. As per mythology, Lord Vishnu had cut off the body of Mata Sati into 51 pieces by Sudarshana Chakra and all these pieces fell at different places throughout the country and these places are known as pithasthans. It is said that 'right foot' of Mata Sati fell at Matabari.
This pithasthan is also known as Kurma Pith because the shape of the temple premises resembles to that of "Kurma" namely tortoise. Inside the temple, the idol of Maa Kali is kept which is made of 'reddish black Kastic pathar.' Maa Kali is worshipped in her 'Soroshi' form in this temple. There is an idol of smaller size of Maa Kali called 'Chotto Maa 'and this image used to be carried by Maharajas of Tripura during "Mrigaya" namely hunting and also during war.
The temple consists of square type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut type structure with a conical dome. The temple was constructed in 1501 A.D. by the then Maharaja Dhanya Manikya.
In the eastern side of the temple there is a famous Kalyan Sagar where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with "muri" and biscuits. No fishing is permitted in the Kalyan Sagar. Every year on Dewali, a famous Mela takes place near the temple which is visited by more than two lakhs pilgrims.
Fourteen Goddess Temple It is located about 14 Km. away from Agartala at a place called Old Agartala. In the face of continued fight with Shamser Gazi, Maharaja Krishna Manikya had shifted the capital from Udaipur to Old Agartala. It continued to be the capital till it was shifted to Agartala. Near the sacred 14 goddess temple during the month of July every year a Kharchi festival is organised and thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this festival.
A good combination of Hindu and Mughal architecture is noticed on the domes of the palace. There are mainly two parts of the palace - one on the western side known as Andar Mahal which was used by the royal family and another on the eastern side which was used for the security personnel and servants. There are 15 rooms in the main Andar Mahal. There is a beautiful garden laid in the western side of the palace. In the garden there is an open stage where drama, theatre, etc. use to be organised.
Maharajas used to go by motor boat to the palace from Rajghat. There is a motor boat ghat inside the palace upto which the motor boat could go and there are two ,stairs at the motor boat ghat - one for Maharaja and one for Maharani.
Flood lighting of the palace has been arranged in the evening. In addition, water sports facilities are being extended. The palace is going to be renovated and a museum depicting the royal life style will be set up inside the palace. In addition Light & Sound show on the historical past and cultural heritage of Tripura will be organised in the palace. In water number of migratory birds are found in the lake surrounding Neermahal.
Udaipur The main attractions in Udaipur are Tripura Sundari Temple, popularly known as MATABARI, one of the 51 pithas of Hindu Puran, Bhuvaneswari Temple, Gunabati group of Temples, Vast Lakes with scenic beauty.
Jampui Hill
The permanent seat of eternal spring is situated at
an altitude of 3000’ above sea level. Jampui is famous for its charming
landscape a
The hill range has 11 villages inhabited by Mizo (Lushai tribes) and also by Reang tribes. Population of the hill range is about 8,000 and the main occupation of the villagers is orange cultivation.
The temperature variation in the hill range is very nominal in all seasons and is ideal for the purpose of tourism. Different seasons offer different pleasures to the tourists at Jampui hill. During October to December the orange trees are laden with fruits and the entire hill range looks orange coloured. During March to May various species of orchids and other wild trees bear flowers. During rainy season the hill range is full of clouds and one can have the feeling of walking in the clouds.
The Lushai tribes mainly inhabited in the hill range have a very strikingly distinct cultural identity. They are quite well-off people having neat and clean houses well equipped with modern amenities. Most of them speak English fluently and follow Christianity.
The sun rise and sun set in the hill range is a delight worth seeing. The natural beauty, the pleasant weather, various species of trees, orchids and orange gardens, hospitable people and rich cultural heritage makes it an ideal destination for the tourists.
There is an ‘Eden’ Tourist Lodge in Vangmun village where tourists can go and stay comfortably. In addition, local people offer paying guest accommodation to the visiting tourists which enable them to closely understand the life and culture of the Lushai tribes.
After withdrawal of Restricted Area Permit for the foreign nationals, the hill range is attracting a large number of foreign tourists. The highest peak of Tripura ‘Betalongchhip’ falls in this hill range which is 3600 feet high and from where tourist can see the panoramic view of Mizoram, Chittagong hill tracts and various other hill ranges of Tripura. There are good trekking routes in the hill range for tourists. State Government is planning to develop village tourism in Jampui hill and sports complex and cultural complex will be constructed shortly.
Bhuvaneswari Temple On the right bank of river Gomati at Udaipur is found the ruins of a big palace built by Maharaja Govinda Manikya (1660-75 A.D.). The Bhuveneswari temple is situated adjacent to this palace. It finds close literary reference in Great poet Rabindranath Tagore’s novels and drama namely ‘Bisharjan’ and ‘Rajarshi’
Sepahijala Sepahijala is covering an area of 18.532 km. More than 150 species of residential birds, migratory birds, orchid garden, boating facilities, wild life, botanical garden, zoo, elephant joy-rides, rubber and coffee plantation attracts the visitors.The famous spectacled monkey is found here.
Trishna Wild Life Sanctuary is located at about 100 Km. away from Agartala in Belonia Subdivision of South Tripura District. Bison is the main attraction in this sanctuary, in addition to the resident and migratory birds.
Kamalasagar Vast lake at the border of Bangladesh was excavated by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 15th century. On the bank of Kamalasagar, there is a famous temple of Goddess Kali dating back to 16th century. It is one of the excellent picnic spots in the statewith scenic beauty.
Deotamura Deotamura is famous for its panels of rock carvings on the steep mountain wall on the bank of Gomati. There are huge images carved of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartika, Mahisasur Mardini Durga and other gods and goddesses. This is also called Chabimura. These images date back to 15th-16th centuries.
A water area of 41 sq.km. with an un-ending spell of
luxuriant green vegetation all around stands
majestic for her exceedingly charming beauty and 48 islands in the midst of the
lake. Migratory birds, Water sports facilities are additional
attractions. There is a Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati
originates and
this is called Tirthamukh where
on 14th January every year famous 'Pous
Sankran
Rudrasagar Lake Rudrasagar lake, about 55 Km. away from Agartala near Melaghar having 5.3 Sq.Km. water area is another big attraction. In the centre of the lake the famous lake palace of Tripura namely Neermahal is built. The lake witnesses a large number of migratory birds in every winter. Every year a boat race is organised in July/August. The visiting tourists can enjoy boating facility in the lake.
Districts of Tripura
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