Sundari Temple (Agartala, Tripura)

The temple of Tripura Sundari in Tripura is regarded as one of the 51 pithasthanas of Hindu pilgrims in India. The Tripura Sundari Temple consists of square type sanctum of the typical Bengali-hut style construction with a conical dome and stands gloriously on a hillock at Udaipur in Tripura.

The Structure of the Tripura Sundari Temple, according to an inscription note on the monuments by the Archaeological Survey of India, there are two identical images of the same deity i.e. Tripura Sundari, inside the temple. One is called ‘Chhotima’ which seems to be a regional one rising about 2 feets in height, while the other ‘Tripura Sundari’ is of 5 feet. It is difficult to date the image of Chhotima accurately as it is worn-out. Moreover the attributes in her hands are either too much blurred or lost.

The temple is also known as ‘Kurma Pitha’ because of the shape of the temple premises appears that of a ‘kurma’ i.e. a tortoise. Inside the temple the idol of Maa Kali is installed which is made of ‘reddish black Kasti pathar’. Maa Kali is worshipped here in ‘Soroshi’ form. There is an idol of a smaller size of Maa Kali called ‘Chotti Maa’ which used to be carried by the Maharajas of Tripura during “Mrigaya” (i.e. hunting) and also during war.

The Temple History, it is known that the temple was first constructed by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in 1501 A. D. It was repaired by Maharaja Rama Manikya in 1681 A D, when it was damaged by lightning and again by Maharaja Radhakishore Manikya during the beginning of this century. In the Eastern side of the temple there is the famous Kalyan Sagar where fishes and tortoises of huge size are found and devotees feed them with puffed rice (Muri) and biscuits. The lake with High Jet fountain set in front of the temple simply adds to its beauty. No fishing is permitted in Kalyan Sagar.