Unakoti Hill, Tripura

India / Tripura / Kailasahar /
 hill, rock engraving, archaeological site, pilgrimage, interesting place, bas-relief, tourist attraction
Unakoti hill, literally meaning, one less a crore in Bengali, hosts an ancient Shaivite place of worship with huge rock-cut images and stone idols of Lord Shiva. The government of India has approached to UNESCO to declare it as a world heritage site.

The Prime tourist spot of North Tripura District of Unakoti at Kailashahar Subdivision.
unakoti.nic.in/tourism.htm
It is Shaiba pilgrimage and dates back to 7th – 9th centuries if not earlier. The marvelous rock carvings, murals with their primitive beauty, waterfalls are not to be missed. Unakoti means one less than a crore and it is said that these many rock cut carvings are available here. As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses he made a night halt at this location. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise and proceed for Kashi. It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else could get up so set out for Kashi himself cursing the others to become stone images as a result we have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at Unakoti.These carvings are located at a beautifully landscaped forest area with green vegetation all around which add to the beauty of the carvings.

The images found at Unakoti are of two types namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’ is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti.

Every year a big fair popularly known as ‘Ashokastami Mela’ is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims.

Location :
178 k.m. from Agartala. 8 k.m. from Kailashahar, district head quarter of North Tripura District.
pib.nic.in/feature/feyr2001/fjul2001/f180720012.html
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unakoti
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   24°18'59"N   92°4'1"E

Comments

  • The most important place not located before anybody. This is Starange. The location made by N.Datta. is O.K
  • The heritage-Stone Culpture of 'Kalu Kamar'
This article was last modified 10 years ago