Name: Agartala
Rating: 3.5

Tripura Sundari Temple, Agartala Overview

Tripura Sundari Temple is a beautiful temple situated in Udaipur, around 55 km away from Agartala, Tripura. This opulent temple is 500 years old thereby making it the oldest temple present in the Udaipur district. Tripura Sundari Temple is one of the 51 Sakti Peethas and is the place where the toe of the right foot of Sati fell. Owing to its history and beauty, this majestic temple remains flooded by tourists all through the year.

It is also said that Lord Vishnu had cut Sati into 51 pieces with his Sudarshana Chakra and the places where her parts fell came to known as the Shaktipeethas. One fascinating fact about the glorious temple is that it is in the shape of a tortoise and also known as Kurma Peeth. This temple of Kali, built in 1501, is a place where a steady stream of pilgrims makes almost endless animal sacrifices that leave the grounds as bloody as the temple's vivid-red shikhara. Devotees throng here during the dazzling Diwali festival (October/November) to bathe in the fish-filled tank by the temple.

Tripura Sundari Temple is believed to be one of the holiest Hindu shrines in the country. It is also known as Matabari and is served by priests in red-robes who minister to the Tripura Sundari. This splendid temple is the most attractive tourist destinations to which hundreds of pilgrims flock on a daily basis.

Legend of Tripura Sundari Temple

According to the legend, Mata Sati's toe of the right foot fell at this place. King Dhanya Manikya who was the ruler of Tripura in the 15th century had a dream asking him to install the idol of Goddess Tripura Sundari in the temple present on the hilltop. However, this temple was already dedicated to Lord Vishnu which is why the king could not decide how to install another idol in the temple which was already devoted to Lord Vishnu. However, the repetition of this message by the oracle made the king decide to follow its command and thus Tripura Sundar Temple, which is 500 years old, came into existence.

Architecture of Tripura Sundari Temple

The striking temple is small and measures 24 square feet at the base and 75 feet at the height where Goddess Parvati is worshipped with the names Tripurasundari, Tripureshwari, and Soroshi. The temple's structure is similar to that of a tortoise with the roof in the shape of the humped back of the tortoise. This is why the shrine is also known as Kurma Peetha since Kurma means tortoise. There is a square sanctum in the temple having a conical dome. This was constructed in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya Debbarma.

Inside the glorious temple, two exact images of the same deity are present. These have been given the names Tripura Sundari which is 5 feet high and Chhotima which is 2 feet high. The idol of Maa Kali is worshipped in the Tripura Sundari Temple in the form of Soroshi. The idol is built from kasti stone which has a reddish black colour. It is said that this idol of Chhotima was carried in the battlefield by the king.

Kalyan Sagar in Tripura Sundari Temple

This lake is situated on the eastern side of the Tripura Sundari Temple and is spread over 5 acres of land having a length of 224 yards and width of 160 yards. 124 years after the Tripura Sundari Temple was set up, the Kalyan Sagar Lake was founded which can be traced back to the rule of Maharaja Kalian Manikya in 1501. Different varieties of aqua species can be found in the lake including huge tortoises. The devotees who visit the temple feed biscuits and puffed rice to the fishes. The lake is considered sacred by the devotees and has a fountain in the centre which makes it appear even more beautiful.

Poojas and Festivals at Tripura Sundari Temple

A very famous Mela is organized near the Tripura Sundari Temple on Diwali every year. Over two lakh pilgrims visit the temple to be a part of this occasion. Diwali is the festival which is widely celebrated with most enthusiasm witnessed crowd from all over the country to pray to Goddess Sati or Maa Kali. Other most celebrated festivals at the temple include Durga Puja and Kali Puja.

There are some stalls outside the temple which sell flowers and baskets of offerings to the visitors. These offerings can be offered to the deity inside the temple in return for Prasadam. The brown milk Pedas are the speciality here which the devotees can buy and take back home. There is a well-known Kalyan Sagar Lake on the eastern side of the temple where fishes and huge tortoises can be found. The devotees feed them with puffed rice known as Muri and biscuits.

Tripura Sundari Temple Timings

Opening - Summer: 5:00 AM, Winter: 5:30 AM
Abhishek, Sringaar - Summer: 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM, Winter: 5:30 AM - 7:00 AM
Darshan - Summer: 6:00 AM, Winter: 7:00 AM
Mangla Aarti - Summer: 7:00 AM, Winter: 7:30 AM
Bhog: 12:00 PM
Vishram: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Darshan: From 2:30 PM
Sandhya Aarti - Summer: 7:15 PM, Winter: 6:30 PM
Closing - Summer: 9:00 PM, Winter: 8:30 PM

Best Time To Visit Tripura Sundari Temple

Although the temple can be visited throughout the year, the best time is during the winter season, from December to March since the weather is pleasant with temperature ranging from 10 to 18 degrees Celsius and making the place much more enjoyable.

Tips For Visiting Tripura Sundari Temple

1. No photography is allowed inside the temple.
2. Remove the footwear outside the entrance of the temple.
3. No fishing is allowed in the Kalyan Sagar Lake which is situated on the eastern side of the temple.
4. Animal sacrifices are carried out at the temple on a regular basis. You can ask the authorities or the local people for the exact timings and steer clear of it if you don't want to witness it.

How To Reach Tripura Sundari Temple

The temple lies close to Agartala, around 55 km away from Udaipur. Agartala is well-connected to the cities around and has regular bus-service which can be taken to reach the temple. You can walk to the temple from the point where the bus will drop you.

If travelling from Udaipur, you can hire a taxi which will directly take you to the temple. Alternatively, you can also hire auto-rickshaws which are a convenient mode of transport in the city. Since this is a famous attraction, the auto drivers mostly know the way. Otherwise, you can take the help of the locals with the directions of the temple.