Tripura Sundari Mata Mandir – A Sacred Gem of Northeast India
Location: Udaipur, Gomati District, Tripura, India Distance from Agartala: ~55 km (1.5–2 hours by road) Significance: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas Deity: Goddess Tripura Sundari (Maa Kali in her benevolent form)
⸻
✨ Spiritual Importance & Mythology
Tripura Sundari Temple, locally known as Matabari, holds immense religious significance as one of the revered Shakti Peethas. According to Hindu mythology, when Sati Devi’s body was dismembered, her right foot fell at this exact spot, making it spiritually powerful.
Maa Tripura Sundari is considered a form of Shodashi (Lalita) — one of the Dasa Mahavidyas. She is worshipped here in the form of a black stone idol, about 5 feet tall, with a smaller red idol of Chhotima placed beside her. Devotees worship both idols with intense devotion, believing that the goddess fulfills genuine desires.
⸻
🏯 Architecture & Temple Layout • Built in 1501 AD by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya, the temple is over 500 years old. • The temple is shaped like a kurma (turtle) — unique among Indian temples — symbolizing stability and devotion. • Its structure combines Bengal-style architecture with Tripura’s native design. • The sanctum sanctorum is simple yet powerful, with minimal ornamentation that emphasizes spiritual presence over material grandeur. • A large kund (lake) beside the temple houses sacred turtles, which are also revered and fed by pilgrims.
⸻
🌺 Rituals, Pujas & Festivals • Daily Rituals: The temple priests perform traditional pujas, aarti, and offerings several times a day. Devotees often offer red hibiscus flowers, sweets, and coconuts to the goddess. • Diwali / Deepavali Mela: The most significant festival celebrated here. Lakhs of devotees visit the temple during this time. The temple is lit up with oil lamps, and the entire region turns into a spiritual carnival. • Durga Puja, Navratri, and Kali Puja are also celebrated with grandeur.
⸻
🧘 Experience as a Visitor • The atmosphere is peaceful and deeply spiritual. One feels a sense of energy and connection just walking through the temple gates. • Devotees form orderly queues for darshan. The line moves at a decent pace even on busy days. • You can sit by the temple pond, feed the turtles, and meditate in quiet areas nearby. • Local priests are helpful, often explaining rituals and the history of the place to interested visitors.
⸻
🛣️ Accessibility & Travel Tips • By Road: Easily reachable by cab or bus from Agartala. The roads are in good condition. • By Train: Udaipur Railway Station is the closest railhead, connected to Agartala and other major towns. • By Air: The nearest airport is Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala.
Best Time to Visit: October to February (Pleasant weather, major festivals)
Things to Carry: • Water bottle, handkerchief, and personal offerings (flowers, sweets) • Footwear must be removed before entering — there are paid racks for safe storage • Modest clothing is recommended for the sacred environment
⸻
🛍️ Facilities & Local Culture • Shops: Several stalls sell prasad, religious souvenirs, idols, and local handicrafts. • Food: Small eateries serve snacks, tea, and traditional Bengali/Tripuri fare. Full-fledged restaurants are limited. • Accommodation: Basic hotels and guesthouses are available in Udaipur. For more luxurious stays, Agartala is a better base.
⸻
💬 Final Thoughts
Tripura Sundari Mata Mandir is more than a religious site — it is a center of energy, peace, and cultural depth. Whether you are a spiritual seeker, a history enthusiast, or a curious traveler, the temple offers a deeply enriching experience. Its combination of mythology, serene environment, and living tradition makes it a must-visit in the...
Read moreMata Bari Temple Tripura
This sacred temple is located 60 km from Agartala, the capital city of Tripura in Gomati district.
This pithasthan is also known as “Kurma Peeth” because the shape of the temple premises resembles that of “Kurma” namely tortoise.
The temple consists of a square type sanctum of the typical Bengali hut (chala) type structure with a conical dome. A stamp featuring the Tripureswari temple was released on September 2003 acknowledging this heritage. Maharaja Dhanya Manikya founded the Tripura Sundari Temple in the year 1501. It is said that he actually constructed the temple for Lord Bishnu, but later on due to a revelation in his dream, he carried the idol of Mata Tripurasundari which is made up of Kosti Stone (Touchstone) from Chittagong of Bangladesh and installed it in this temple. It is considered to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. According to Hindu Mythology, Peethasthans are those places where the body parts of Devi Sati have fallen. As per the “Pithamala Grantha”, Sati’s right foot fell here during Lord Siva’s Tandava Dance. Here, Shakti is worshipped as Tripurasundarī and the accompanying Bhairava is Tripuresh. Every year on the occasion of Diwali, a famous Mela takes place near the temple which is visited by huge number of devotees. “Kalyan Sagar” lies in the eastern side of the temple. Spreading over 6.4 acres, with a length of 224 yards and width of 160 yards this large expanse of water adds a great ambience and beauty to the temple precincts, with hills rising picturesquely in the background. The water is full of rare Bostami turtles. There are huge number of fishes live in the water. The devotees while visiting the deity offer puffed rice (Muri) to the fishes. It is a must visit for visitors going...
Read morethe Hindu goddess, one of the Shakti traditions' highest deities, known as the "Beautiful One of the Three Cities" and associated with the power of creation and beauty, or to the Tripura Sundari Temple (Matabari) in Udaipur, Tripura, India, which is considered one of the 51 Shakti Peeths and is built on a tortoise-shaped hill. The goddess is also known by other names like Lalita and Rajarajeshwari, and her worship is central to the Sri Vidya tradition. The Goddess Tripura Sundari A Form of the Divine Mother: She is considered one of the highest aspects of the primordial mother goddess, Mahadevi, and is widely praised in Hindu scriptures like the Lalita Sahasranama. Symbolism: As Shodashi, she is depicted as a radiant, beautiful goddess, representing supreme consciousness. Her worship is central to the Sri Vidya tradition, which focuses on the connection between the spiritual and material worlds. Attributes: She is depicted holding a noose, a goad, a bow, and arrows, symbolizing her power and the act of creation, according to some sources. The Tripura Sundari Temple (Matabari) Location: Located in the city of Udaipur, Tripura, the temple is one of the most important and revered Hindu shrines in North-East India. Shakti Peeth: It is one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peeths, sites where the body parts of the goddess Sati fell. Architectural Significance: The temple is built on a hillock shaped like a tortoise (Kurma), a sacred form known as Kurmapṛṣṭhākṛti. Founder: The temple was established in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya. Cultural Importance: The temple is the inspiration for the state's name, Tripura, and is also known for the sacred lake, Kalyansagar, located nearby, which is home to tortoises that are revered...
Read more