TRIPURA

CAPITAL-AGARTALA

LIST OF CHEIF MINISTERS OF TRIPURA

#	NAME	TOOK OFFICE	LEFT OFFICE	PARTY
01	Sachindra Lal Singh	01 July 1963	01 November 1971	Indian National Congress
	President's Rule	01 November 1971	20 March 1972
02	Sukhamoy Sen Gupta	20 March 1972	31 March 1977	Indian National Congress
03	Prafulla Kumar Das	01 April 1977	25 July 1977	Congress For Democracy
04	Radhika Ranjan Gupta	26 July 1977	04 November 1977	Janata Party
	President's Rule	05 November 1977	05 January 1978
05	Nripen Chakraborty	05 January 1978	05 February 1988	Communist Party Of India (Marxist)
06	Sudhir Ranjan Majumdar	05 February 1988	19 February 1992	Indian National Congress
07	Samir Ranjan Barman	19 February 1992	10 March 1993	Indian National Congress
	President's Rule	11 March 1993	10 April 1993
08	Dasarath Deb	10 April 1993	11 March 1998	Communist Party Of India (Marxist)
09	Manik Sarkar	11 March 1998	Present	Communist Party Of India (Marxist)

ELECTED POLITICAL OFFICIALS OF TRIPURA

Lok Sabha members of Tripura

#	CONSTITUENCY	NAME OF MEMBERS	PARTY
01	Tripura East (ST)	Riyan, Shri Baju Ban	CPI(M)
02	Tripura West	Das, Shri Khagen	CPI(M)

Rajya Sabha members of Tripura

#	NAME OF MEMBERS	PARTY
01	Sarkar Shri Matilal	CPI(M)

FOOD

DRESS

OCCUPATION

Agriculture is the most predominant sector of the economy of Tamil Nadu, a state in India. 70% of the states population is engaged in agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood . Tamil Nadu has as an area of 1.3 Lakh km2 with a gross cropped area of around 58.43 lakh hectares of which the Gross Irrigated Area is 33.09 lakh hectares which is 57% and the balance 43% of the area are under rainfed cultivation . Tamil Nadu is the home land of Dr M.S. Swaminathan, known as the "Father of the Green Revolution" in India. The state is historically known for its agriculture from ancient times. Annual food grains production in the year 2007-08 was 100.35 lakh mt . But now this is steadily declining due to industrialisation and real estate business. The younger generation rapidly moves out of villages due to education and white collar jobs and that is also worstly hit this sector.

LANGUAGE

Bengali

Tripuri

FESTIVALS

The main festivals of Tripura are the Durga Puja (at the time of Dussehra), Karchi Puja, Diwali, Dol Jatra (Holi), Pous Sankranti, Ashokashtmi and Buddha Jayanti, Id, Christmas and New Year. The Garia, Ker Ganga and Gajan festivals are important tribal festivities. During Ashokashtmi there are special celebrations at Unnakoti. The Fourteen Goddess Temple in Old Agartala attracts a lot of visitors for its Karchi Puja, and so does Tirthamukh on the occasion of the Pous Sankranti Mela. Other festivals are the Rabindra/Nazrul Festival in May, the Boat Race at Melaghar in August, the Orange and Tourism festival in the Jampui Hill range in November.

Durga Puja-

This festival is the most important festival of the Bengalis. It is celebrated through out the state, at the time of Dussehra in the month of September or October.

Kharchi Puja-

The Goddess are worshiped every year in the month of July for seven days which is popularly known as Kharchi Puja Large number of pilgrims both tribal and non tribal from different parts assemble there to pay their offers. The place is 6 km. Away from the Capital.

Garia Puja-

The tribals of Tripura perform Garia Puja on the seventh day of the month of Baisakh(April) for seven days. When the Puja is over. The devotees man and woman take to dancing.

Dewali Festival-

It is one of the most important festival of the Bengalis. This festival is observed at Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur. A big colourful fair followed by cultural programme is held during the festival.

Pous Sankranti Mela-

Pous Sankranti Mela at Tirthamukh attracts devotees even from neighboring States. Thousand of people, tribal & assemble every year on the occasion of Uttarayan Sankranti (on 14th January) at this place to take a holy dip in the river Gomati at its place of origination, known as Tirtha Mukh.

Ashokastami Festival-

An important festival of the State followed by a big fair popularly known as Ashokastami Fair" is beld at Unakoti Tirtha at Kailasahar Sub Division every year in March/April.

Orange & Tourism Festival-

orange & Tourism Festival is organized every year in Jampui Hill in the mnth of November during orange season Jampui Hill is the only Hill Station in Tripura where large number of oranges are grown.

Boat Race-

Colourful Boat race is organized by the Information Cultural Affairs & Tourism Department every year at Rudrasagar lake.

Ker Puja-

This is another most important festival of Tripura. Ker puja generally starts about fifteen days after Kharchi Puja. The guardian deity of Vastu Devata is Ker. It is a firm belief of the locals that the former rulers used to perform this Puja for the welfare of the common mass. The literal meaning of `ker` being a specified area, two time-honored beliefs lie behind the ritualistic invocation. Those two beliefs can be summed up as the welfare of the common mass against any calamities and the other one includes the protection of the general from any external aggression. Sacrifices and offerings are marked as the characteristics of this popular festival.

Buddha Jayanti-

This is one of the most magnificent Buddhist festivals of Tripura. The Buddha temple at Venuban Vihar in the city of Agartala in Tripura indulges in the festive celebrations with much excitement and vigor. This festival is observed in Tripura in the month of May every year and a huge fair also marks the festive celebrations of this auspicious occasion. The Buddhists from all over the country participate in the Buddhist Jayanti celebrations with much enthusiasm.

IMPORTANT PLACE

Tripura Sundari Temple-

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.

Neermahal-

This magnificent lake palace was constructed as a summer resort in 1930 by late Maharaja Birbikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in the middle of a natural lake called Rudrasagar having an area of 5.35 Sq.Km. The construction was undertaken by Martin & Burn Co. and it is the only lake palace in the entire eastern India.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.Food 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 and bracing climate. The excellent climatic condition, green forests, beautiful orange garden, view of raising and setting sun are wonderful sight for tourists.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. 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’.

Ujjayanta Place-

This Royal House which stands in the capital city Agartala covering one sq. km area was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1901 in extravagant Indo-Saracenic style. Legislature, the palace’s opulent interior includes a tiled Chinese room with a magnificent ceiling crafted by artisans brought from China. It is open to visitors when the Assembly is not in session.

Neermahal-

Neermahal Water Place, 55 km south of Agartala, on an island in Rudrasagar Lake was the summer home of the former maharajas of Tripura. Built in white marble and red sand stone. This fairy-tale palace has a profusion of pavilions, balconies, turrets and bridges. It is only lake palace in Eastern India.

Kamalasagar Kall Temple-

This temple was built on a hill-top by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in the late 15th century. It is situated just beside the Bangladesh border and at distance of 30km from Agartala. The lake in front of this temple rightly enhances its beauty.

Tripura Sundari Temple-

This temple is at distance of 56km from Agartala and located on a hill-top at Udaipur. It is regarded as one of the 51 pithas of Hindu pilgrims, built by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501 A.D. It consists of a square type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut tupe. The lake in front of the temple added to its beauty.

Bhuvaneswari Temple-

Temple is situated on the bank of the Gomati river at Udaipur, which is 55 km from Agartala. This temple is immortalized in Tagore plays-namely ‘Rajarsheee’ and ‘Visarjan’.

Unakoti-

It is Shaiva pilgrimage and situated at a distance of 186 km from Agartala. The stone and rock cut image of the hill slopes belongs to 7th to 9th centuries. The Unakoti means one less than a crore. it is the largest Bas-relief sculpture in India.

Devtamura-

Famous for its panel of rock carvings on the stiff mountain wall on the bank of the Gomati. It dates back to 15th to 16th centuries A.D. and is at a distance of 75 km from capital city of Agartala.

Pilak-

Pilak is treasure house of the Hindu & Buddhist sculptures. It dates back to 8th to 9th centuries A.D. and located at distance of 113 km from state capital Agartala. Numerous stone & terracotta images including the images of Avolokiteshwar and Narasimha have been found.

Jampui Hills-

The permanent seat of eternal spring is situated at an altitude of 3000 ft. above sea level and is at a distance of 250 km from Agartala. Jampui is famous for its charming landscape and bracing climate. Which make ideal hill destination for the tourist. Village tourism is being promoted here.