Unakoti had been on want listing for a very long time. I heard tales of it and varied theories about how these sculptures got here to be. All that I learn and heard made me consider that it’s a key archaeological website, which it’s. So, when a possibility came over Tripura, I budgeted a snug slot for visiting Unakoti. In actual fact, Kumarghat was my base in Tripura, which is likely one of the two locations you’ll be able to go to it from. Our plan was to go to it on Tuesday, however by some stroke of future, we needed to pre-pone it to Monday.

It was after we reached there, I noticed so many individuals, many sporting the sacred saffron, carrying water from their rivers to do Abishek at Unakoti. It was the Monday of Shravana month. Immediately, the that means of the place modified. It was not a lifeless archaeological place however a dwelling respiration Tirtha. What is named Kanwar Yatra in North India is adopted virtually in each a part of the nation. Younger males and even girls carry water from distant locations, many carry them in pots tied to a rod and pour it on Shiva within the sacred month of Shravan.

Unakoti actually means one much less a Koti or a Crore, or 10 million. It is likely one of the most lovely archaeological websites that’s mendacity huge open within the hills of North Tripura. It’s a dwelling Tirtha that comes alive for Ashoka Ashtami throughout Chaitra Navaratri when a good takes place right here. This made me suppose if it was as soon as a Shakta website as Ashtami, that too throughout Navaratri, is likely one of the most auspicious days for Devi worship. And, as I noticed throughout Sharavan Somvars or Monday folks go to it in numbers.

Legends of Unakoti

The favored legend goes that when Shiva was on his method to Kashi together with Koti or One crore different devatas and his ganas. They made an evening halt at this place with a promise to depart early morning. Nonetheless, within the morning solely Shiva obtained up and everybody else stored sleeping. So, Shiva turned all of them into rocks and he moved on to his favourite metropolis on the banks of Ganga. That is how the sculptures got here to be and so they proceed to be within the rocky area of Tripura. Since Shiva left and the remainder 99,99,999 remained right here, the place got here to be often known as Unakoti. Irony is that there are distinguished Shiva sculptures and lots of Shivalingas unfold throughout the location, so did Shiva actually depart?

One other legend says as soon as there was a sculptor who worshipped Parvati and wished to accompany her and Shiva to Kailash and reside with them. When Shiva-Parvati was passing by Unakoti hills, he expressed his need however Shiva was not in a temper to take him alongside. So, he put a situation that if he can create a Koti sculpture in an evening, he’ll enable him to come back to Kailash with him. Nonetheless, within the morning his sculptures fell quick by one and the place obtained its title as Unakoti.

You may select the story that appeals extra to you. Nobody has counted the sculptures, however it’s true that in all places you look there are sculptures. Giant rocks are carved in-situ – as in the place they’re. Other than them, there are sculptures within the type of Murtis and lingas. Many of those are nonetheless worshipped. On high of the hill, there’s a shed like museum the place a number of the massive life-size sculptures are stored. I discovered Vishnu, Hanuman, Sri Ram and Uma Mahesh right here within the kinds that tells me that Ramayana was in all probability sculpted together with different puranic tales of Vishnu and Shiva.

Visiting Unakoti

As quickly as you enter the location by a safety gate, and stroll in the direction of the principle website, you see a stupendous lush inexperienced valley in entrance of you. Neat and steep staircases promise to take you down after which deliver you up. As quickly as you begin taking place, the large sculptures of Shiva and Parvati glace at you, just like the prelude of a musical. You surprise on the large Shiva bas reduction, with flowing Jatas as if Ganga is keen to fall free, large earrings and necklace. As quickly as you are taking your eyes off Shiva, you meet his consort Uma, comparable in dimension and elegance.

From right here while you look down you see a waterfall that gathers right into a pond at common intervals. The primary one is on the intersection of stairs coming from both aspect of hill. That is the place there may be one other large bas reduction of Shiva, who can be referred as Kotishwara Kala Bhairava generally. Surrounding him are a number of Nandi Murtis in several states of decay. In entrance of the rock carving are totally different lingas in stone which can be nonetheless worshipped. Because it was the Shravan Somvar, a lot of folks have been worshipping, doing abhishek and telling their needs within the ears of Nandi. A pandit ji was serving to folks with formal puja. Younger males have been taking a dip within the pond whereas girls of their pink and white saris lit incense sticks whereas saying their prayers.

The water flows downstream and about 100 meters down; it passes by a big Ganesha sculpture that’s surrounded by elephants. The move is sort of just like the genes that move from dad and mom to the son.

Subrai Khung is one other title of Unakoti in native Kokbrok language, that you just learn written simply earlier than the primary Shiva sculpture you meet. Once you stand subsequent to this board, you see the sharp rocks standing tall and also you surprise how somebody would have sculpted at such heights. Some sculptures are seen solely while you go round it, which primarily means that you must go round the entire website. There are some damaged items mendacity round and one wonders if it’s a crown or a neckpiece.

Residing Temples of Unakoti

Throughout the valley, that you must climb one other hill to succeed in the highest. On the best way I discovered so many Shivalingas beneath the timber, a stupendous Chaturmukhlinga in a small mandapa. Near it on the rocks I noticed Lajja Gauri and one other feminine determine that I couldn’t decipher. On high, there may be shed with many massive sculptures.

Right here I discovered a platform, with temple like steps resulting in it, the place the Murtis and lingas was being worshipped. A slender melancholy on the rock, that was crammed with milk, is believed to be the footprint of Vishnu. On the opposite aspect was a small Goria Baba temple the place a priest advised me that that is the unique Kailasg the place Shiva lived. Certainly, the city shut by known as Kailashahar. I’d later study that Goria baba is the Kuldevata of some tribes in Tripura.

As you go up and down the hills, wherever you look there are sculptures. Some you establish, others maintain teasing you. You surprise if this was as soon as the most important open-air temple. Was this actually one thing related to Kashi or the migrants out of India, in all probability in the direction of South East Asia, planted and carried tales from Indian Itihasa-Purana.

Historians date these sculptures to no less than 7-9^th CE however that’s only a guess primarily based on fashion. It may very well be a lot older. An inscription solely mentions a go to in 11-12^th CE indicating it existed earlier than that. To me, these sculptures inform us the deep historic roots of our Puranik tales.

Journey Suggestions

Unakoti is sweet 5-6 hours drive from Agartala. You may keep both at Dharamnagar or Kumarghat and go to Unakoti from there. It’s about 45 minutes from both place.

Funds good 3-4 hours for the location. Put on snug sneakers and carry your water.

Meals is out there exterior the gate.

Sadly, no guides both as a ebook or in individual can be found to provide a guided tour.

You may benefit from the well-known Queen Pineapple of Tripura on this area.