TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE
AT
AGARTALA
Tripura Sundari Temple
is situated about 67 kms from Agartala. This temple is also known as Matabari
and located in the ancient capital, Udaipur on the top of hillock Dhanisagar in
the middle of the 16th century.
The deity is Goddess Kali.
This is one of the
51 Pithas mentioned in the Tantras. The temple is served by red robed priests
and is the location of the large fair during Diwali festival in
October-November.
Beyond this
age-old temple there is a big tank called Dhani Sagar, the abode of old
tortoises, sacred to pilgrims for food offerings.
It is said that
when any of these wise tortoises is to die, it approaches the altar of the
temple and breathes its last.The temple
has a square shaped sanctum that resembles to typical Bengali hut with a
conical dome.
It was constructed in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya
Manikya Debbarma. The temple has two identical images of the deity which is
known as Tripura Sundari (5 feet tall) and Chhotima (2 feet tall).
The
temple structure is also known as Kurma
Pitha as
the temple premises resembles kurma or tortoise.
Durga puja is celebrated joyously in
Tripura Sundari temple.
Every year during Diwali, a popular fair is organized near the temple which is
visited by lakhs of pilgrims.
People come here to take bathe in the
fish-filled tank which is located near the temple.
Fairs are also held on the occasion of
‘Uttarayan Sankranti’ and ‘Shiva –Chaturdashi’.
Daily, the goddess is offered with
‘anna-bhog’ (rice). Besides this, various types of seasonal fruit is also
offered to the goddess.
By Air
By Air
The closest airport is at Agartala from where
temple can be reached by road.
By Train
The nearest rail head is Kumarghat
which is 140 km from Agartala. From here buses and taxis are available to reach
the temple.
By Road
The temple is located at 55 km from Agartala,
the capital of Tripura. It is well connected by all towns of Tripura. The
nearby bus stand is Matabari.
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