Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit a palace that was once the home of kings and queens? A palace that has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, the merger of states, and the visit of legends? A palace that has been transformed into a museum that showcases the rich history and culture of a region? A palace that is surrounded by a weekend tourism hub that offers various attractions and facilities for tourists and locals alike?
If you are looking for such a place, then you should definitely visit Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala, the capital of Tripura, India. Ujjayanta Palace is a former royal palace and a state museum that is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Agartala. It is also the center of a weekend tourism hub that was recently created by the Tripura government to boost tourism development and revenue generation in the state.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Ujjayanta Palace, including its history, architecture, exhibits, and the weekend tourism hub around it. We will also give you some tips on how to plan your trip to Agartala and Ujjayanta Palace. So, let’s get started!
History of Ujjayanta Palace
The name Ujjayanta Palace means “the palace of victory” in Sanskrit. It was given by none other than the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, who visited the palace several times and composed some of his famous poems there. Tagore was a close friend of the royal family of Tripura and was impressed by the beauty and grandeur of the palace.
The palace was built in 1899 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur, who ruled Tripura from 1897 to 1909. He commissioned British architects Sir Alexander Martin and Mr. Chisolm to design the palace in an Indo-Saracenic style with influences from Mughal, Roman, British, and other cultures. The palace covers an area of 800 acres and has 28 hectares of gardens.
The palace was the seat of power of the Tripura kings until 1949, when Tripura merged with India. The last king to live in the palace was Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, who died in 1947. His son Maharaja Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur was only 14 years old when he became the king and moved to a new residence called Kunjaban Palace.
The palace witnessed some important events in the history of Tripura and India, such as:
The signing of the merger agreement between Tripura and India on October 15, 1949.
The visit of Mahatma Gandhi on February 6, 1925.
The establishment of the first legislative assembly of Tripura on July 1, 1963.
The inauguration of the first governor of Tripura on August 14, 1972.
In 1972, the palace was converted into a state museum by the government of Tripura. The museum was named after Rabindranath Tagore as a tribute to his contribution to the culture and literature of Tripura.
Architecture and Design of Ujjayanta Palace
Ujjayanta Palace is a magnificent example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, which is a fusion of Indian and Islamic styles with elements from other regions. The palace has a dome-shaped structure with four towers at each corner. The dome is 86 feet high and has a bronze statue of Lakshmi Narayan on top. The palace has two large halls called Durbar Hall and Throneroom Hall, which are used for official ceremonies and functions.
The palace has three floors with 22 rooms. The rooms are decorated with marble tiles, wooden ceilings, ornamental doors, stained glass windows, chandeliers, paintings, sculptures, etc. The rooms display various aspects of the royal lifestyle, such as furniture, costumes, weapons, musical instruments, etc.
The palace is surrounded by lush green gardens with fountains, pools, statues, pavilions, etc. The gardens have various species of plants and flowers from different parts of India and abroad. The gardens also have a lake called Jagannath Dighi, which has boating facilities for visitors.
The palace is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses. It is a testimony to the artistic and aesthetic vision of the Tripura kings and their architects. It is also a reflection of the cultural diversity and harmony of Tripura and India.
Exhibits and Collections of Ujjayanta Palace Museum
Ujjayanta Palace Museum is a treasure trove of history and culture of Tripura and its people. The museum has 22 galleries and sections that display various exhibits and collections related to the art, culture, history, geography, flora, fauna, etc. of Tripura. Some of the galleries and sections are:
Tribal Art and Culture Gallery: This gallery showcases the rich and diverse tribal art and culture of Tripura, which comprises 19 tribes. The gallery displays various items such as masks, costumes, ornaments, utensils, musical instruments, etc. that reflect the tribal traditions and customs.
Royal Lifestyle Gallery: This gallery depicts the royal lifestyle of the Tripura kings and their families. The gallery displays various items such as furniture, paintings, photographs, coins, medals, etc. that reveal the royal history and heritage of Tripura.
Sculpture Gallery: This gallery exhibits various sculptures made of stone, terracotta, metal, wood, etc. that belong to different periods and styles. The gallery showcases some rare and exquisite sculptures such as a 9th century stone image of Vishnu, a 10th century bronze image of Buddha, a 12th century terracotta image of Durga, etc.
Painting Gallery: This gallery displays various paintings that depict the scenes from the history, mythology, religion, culture, etc. of Tripura and India. The gallery showcases some remarkable paintings such as a 19th century oil painting of Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya Bahadur by Raja Ravi Varma, a 20th century watercolor painting of Ujjayanta Palace by Rabindranath Tagore, etc.
Coin Gallery: This gallery exhibits various coins that belong to different dynasties and rulers of Tripura and India. The gallery showcases some rare and valuable coins such as a gold coin of Maharaja Dharma Manikya I (1463-1515), a silver coin of Maharaja Pratap Manikya (1626-1659), a copper coin of Maharaja Krishna Manikya (1830-1849), etc.
The museum also has other galleries and sections such as Geography Gallery, Flora Gallery, Fauna Gallery, Freedom Struggle Gallery, Handicrafts Gallery, etc. that display various exhibits and collections related to other aspects of Tripura and India.
The museum is a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more about the history and culture of Tripura and its people. The museum is also a source of inspiration and education for students, researchers, scholars, etc.
Weekend Tourism Hub around Ujjayanta Palace
Ujjayanta Palace is not only a museum but also a weekend tourism hub that offers various attractions and facilities for tourists and locals alike. The weekend tourism hub was created by the Tripura government in 2023 to promote tourism development and revenue generation in the state.
The weekend tourism hub has several features and facilities such as:
No-traffic zone: The area around Ujjayanta Palace is declared as a no-traffic zone on Saturdays and Sundays from 4 pm to 10 pm. This allows visitors to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the palace and its surroundings without any disturbance or pollution.
Mobile food stalls: The weekend tourism hub has several mobile food stalls that serve delicious local cuisines such as chakhwi (bamboo shoot curry), mui borok (fermented fish), gudok (rice beer), etc. The food stalls also serve other Indian and international cuisines such as Chinese, Thai, Italian, etc.
Paddle boating: The weekend tourism hub has paddle boating facilities on Jagannath Dighi lake near Ujjayanta Palace. Visitors can enjoy boating on the lake with their friends and family while admiring the scenic view of the palace and its gardens.
Photo counters: The weekend tourism hub has photo counters where visitors can take pictures with various props and backgrounds related to Ujjayanta Palace and Tripura. Visitors can also get their pictures printed on mugs, t-shirts, keychains, etc.
Light and sound shows: The weekend tourism hub has light and sound shows on Ujjayanta Palace every evening from 7 pm to 8 pm. The shows narrate the history and glory of Ujjayanta Palace and Tripura through colorful lights and sounds.
Cultural programs: The weekend tourism hub has cultural programs on Ujjayanta Palace every evening from 8 pm to 9 pm. The programs showcase the folk dances, songs, music, drama, etc. of Tripura’s tribes and communities.
The weekend tourism hub is a great way to enjoy Ujjayanta Palace in a different and fun way. The weekend tourism hub attracts thousands of visitors every week who come to experience the culture and charm of Ujjayanta Palace and Tripura.
If monuments tempt you, forget Rajasthan and explore Tripura's medieval marvels this season!
Nearby Attractions and Places to Visit in Agartala
Ujjayanta Palace is not the only attraction in Agartala. There are many other places to visit in Agartala that are worth exploring. Some of the nearby attractions and places to visit in Agartala are:
Neermahal Palace: Neermahal Palace is a water palace built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in 1930. It is located on an island in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake, about 53 km from Agartala. It is a beautiful example of Hindu and Islamic architecture, with domes, turrets, pavilions, etc. It also has a museum that displays various items related to the royal family and the palace.
Tripura Sundari Temple: Tripura Sundari Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where the right foot of Goddess Sati fell. It is located in Udaipur, about 55 km from Agartala. It is a sacred temple dedicated to Goddess Tripura Sundari, also known as Kali or Matabari. It is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus, especially during the festivals of Diwali and Kali Puja.
Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary: Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary that covers an area of 18.53 sq km, about 25 km from Agartala. It is home to various species of animals, birds, reptiles, etc., such as clouded leopard, barking deer, spectacled monkey, hornbill, etc. It also has a botanical garden, a zoo, a lake, and a toy train.
Kunjaban Palace: Kunjaban Palace is another royal palace built by Maharaja Birendra Kishore Manikya Bahadur in 1917. It is located on a hillock near Agartala. It was the residence of Maharaja Kirit Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur after he moved out of Ujjayanta Palace. It was also the place where Rabindranath Tagore stayed during his visits to Tripura. It now houses the Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the governor of Tripura.
These are some of the nearby attractions and places to visit in Agartala that you can explore along with Ujjayanta Palace. You can also find more information and links to these places on our website.
Hotels and Accommodations near Ujjayanta Palace
If you are planning to visit Ujjayanta Palace and Agartala, you will need a place to stay and relax. There are many hotels and accommodations near Ujjayanta Palace that offer comfortable and affordable services. Some of the hotels and accommodations near Ujjayanta Palace are:
Ginger Agartala: Ginger Hotel Agartala is a 3-star hotel located about 2 km from Ujjayanta Palace. It offers modern rooms with amenities such as air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, etc. It also has a restaurant, a gym, a conference room, etc.
Hotel Sonar Tori Agartala: Hotel Sonar Tori Agartala is a 4-star hotel located about 3 km from Ujjayanta Palace. It offers spacious rooms with amenities such as air conditioning, TV, Wi-Fi, etc. It also has a restaurant, a bar, a spa, a banquet hall, etc.
Hotel Polo Towers Agartala: Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service at Hotel Polo Towers Agartala. Located in Agartala, 27 km from Clouded Leopard National Park, Hotel Polo Towers Agartala provides accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a restaurant. This 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The accommodation offers airport transfers, while a car rental service is also available.
Did you know? Iconic Ujjayanta Palace is all set to become a weekend tourism hotspot in Tripura!
Ujjayanta Palace is a royal heritage and a weekend tourism hub in Agartala that you should not miss if you are visiting Tripura. It is a place where you can learn about the history and culture of Tripura and its people, admire the architecture and design of the palace and its gardens, enjoy the exhibits and collections of the museum, have fun at the weekend tourism hub with various attractions and facilities, explore the nearby attractions and places to visit in Agartala, and stay at comfortable and affordable hotels and accommodations near Ujjayanta Palace.
We hope this article has given you enough information and motivation to visit Ujjayanta Palace and Agartala. If you have any questions or feedbacks for us, please let us know in the comments section below. Thank you for reading and happy traveling!
