Agartala
Agartala is the capital city of Tripura, a north-eastern state of India.
Get in
You can get in to Agartala by plane, train and bus.
By plane
Agartala can be reached by air from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Chennai and many other cities of India via Kolkata or Guwahati. Airfare varies from ₹1,800-₹7,000.
By train
Agartala can be reached directly by train from Silchar and Badarpur in Assam. From Guwahati you have to reach Lumding and then change trains to take an overnight train to Agartala
By bus
Agartala can be reached directly by bus from Guwahati, Shillong and Silchar. The Akhaura check post also connects Agartala to Dhaka. This route extends to Kolkata in West Bengal.
Get around
Paddle Rickshaws are the principal mode of travel within the city limits. The fare may range from ₹5-₹25. Very recently the battery operated rickshaws which are locally named as TOMTOM are very popular in view of Cheapest fare. Now in Agartala some cycle rickshaws are also available which are artificially converted to a battery operated rickshaw. The drivers are actually genuine rickshaw drivers from backward classes.
Auto Rickshaws plying on fixed routes are also available. Designated stops are at Motorstand, Nagarjala, Abhaynagar, Old RMS etc. All you need to do to catch an "auto" (locally known as "Tempu" or "auto") is to stand on the route and be watchful. Auto rickshaws have an authorized sitting capacity of 3 persons (recently updated to 3 persons), and passengers are comfortable squeezing in by little adjustment. Auto-rickshaws are available for travel to the Airport also.
Recently, government city buses have started plying throughout the city and its sub-urban areas. The fare ranges from ₹5 to ₹10, but the frequency is low. They currently ply on 7 routes covering the whole city.
For a day trip to Kamalasagar, Sipahijala, Udaipur, Neermahal etc. a cab can be hired from Battala syndicate.
See
- 1 Akhaura Checkpost. It handles the largest number of visitors to and from neighbouring Bangladesh.
- Gedu Miar Maszid. The main place of worship for the Muslims of Tripura, this imposing ‘Maszid’, located in Shibnagar area of Agartala bears testimony to the devotion and piety of a remarkable individual .
- Jagannath Temple. Famous not only from the pilgrims point of view, this temple is also a remarkable architectural feat with its octagonal base and its impressive pradhakshin patha round the sanctum. The pillars are crowned by square and pyramidal cones.
- 2 Lakshmi Narayan Temple. The idol of Lord Krishna was installed by Krishnananda Sevayet of Laxmi Narayan temple more than 45 years ago. The temple is also registered under the Indian antiquity act.
- 3 Maharaja Bir Bikram College. Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishor Manikya Bahadur, the last king of Tripura founded this in the year 1947.
- 4 Mariyam Nagar Church (Mariyam Nagar Catholic Church). Standing amidst the lush green lap of nature, seven kilometres east of Agartala, Mariamnagar is actually a historical site. The Catholic church in this sparsely populated pastoral scenario had once been used by Portuguese settlers.
- 5 Nehru Park. Inaugurated in the year 2003, is a happy hub for people of all ages looking to get away from the city.
- Rabindra Kanan. Quietly nestled south of Raj Bhawan, the sprawling ‘Rabindra Kanan’, a park with lush greenery and an abundance of flowers, is home to children and young people, looking for a peaceful getaway.
- Rose Valley Amusement Park.
- 6 Sukanta Academy. It is a science museum located in the heart of Agartala town. A small planetarium has also been set up within the complex to attract students, research scholars and scientist.
- 7 Tripura Government Museum. Established 1970, situated in the heart of the town, it preserves some rare images, epigraphs numismatic evidence which throws light on the glorious past of Tripura and some of the adjoining States.
- 8 Ujjayanta Palace. Built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya during 1899-1901, this is a two storied mansion, with mixed type of architecture with three high domes, the central one being 86 feet high. The magnificent tile floor, curved wooden ceiling and beautifully crafted doors are notable. The palace has huge Mughal style gardens, beautified by pools and gardens. Flood lighting and fountains have also added to its beauty. Now it houses the State Legislative Assembly.
- Venuban Vihar. A Buddha Temple, it is one of the most attractive Buddhist destinations of Tripura, located at Kunjaban area in northern part of Agartala town.
Do
Enjoy
Buy
Cane and bamboo artwork is available.
Eat
Indian, Chinese, Continental food is available in any good restaurant in Agartala. Prices are low compared to Indian Metros and comparable in quality. Excellent street food available and the main street is a hub of activity during the evening where you can get anything from chai to particularly good popcorn.
Drink
Agartala is teeming with liquor shops where cheap brands are easily available. It is not permissible to drink openly on the roads or in public places.
Sleep
As Agartala is still a growing city, you will not find grand old hotels as in other cities, but there are many good hotels.
- Executive Inn Hotel, Post Office Chowmohani, ☏ +91 381 - 2325047. It is a new hotel in the heart of Agartala. ₹900-₹2,700.
- Hotel City Centre, Hari Ganga Basak Road, Madhyapara Lane, ☏ +91 94361 28298, +91 98312 79022, +91 381-238 5270, +91 381-238 5258, +91 381-238 5092. It is a three star hotel in the heart of Agartala. ₹800-₹3000.
- Hotel Ginger, Khejur Bagan, Airport Road, Barjala Mouja. A three star hotel by the Tata group, it is one of the finest hotels of Agartala. It is also the nearest to the airport. Starts ₹1,300.
- Radha International Hotel, Central Road, ☏ +91 381-238 4530. ₹600-₹2,700.
- Rajarshi Badsha Hotel, Near Circuit House, ☏ +91 381-220 1034. ₹400-₹1,700.
- Rajdhani Hotel, B.K. Road, ☏ +91 381-222 3387. ₹1200-₹1900.
- Royal Guest House, Palace Compound, West Gate, ☏ +91 381-231 3781. ₹500-₹2000.
- Welcome Palace Hotel, Hari Ganga Basak Road, ☏ +91 381-384 940. ₹700-₹3,500.
Go next
- Domboor Lake and Raima valley — Domboor Lake has 48 islands surrounded by green forests and vegetation. Water sports are an attraction for travellers as well as bird watchers. Raima valley is a scenic area with several decorative gardens
- Gondacherra Wildlife Sanctuary — Forested area for various species of primates, tiger etc. Surrounding bodies of water provide home to several species of birds and seasonal migratory birds
- Jampui Hills — Sparsely populated area; once a site of orange plantations, now provides a leisurely and peaceful atmosphere of scenic views for travellers
- Matabari — is the site for the extremely revered Tripureswari Mandir and festival
- Melaghar — a small town approx. 50 kms from Agartala, hosts several festivals during the year and is home to Neermahal (one of the few water palaces in India)
- Pilak — an archaeological site where Buddhist and Hindu artifacts have been discovered
- Sipahijala Wildlife Sanctuary — is a woodland area with an artificial lake and contains natural botanical and zoological gardens. There are enclosures for a wide variety of animals
- Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary — has areas of virgin forest containing some rare vegetation. Indian Bison is an attraction as well as species of birds, deer, langur, reptiles and other animals
- Unakoti — an historic and ancient Shaivite (Hindu sect) place of pilgrimage where one can view the many rock carvings and murals in an area of mountains and waterfalls