Cultural and religious significance: Tripura Sundari temple gets a facelift

S Sharmili Lisa

THE RENOWNED SACRED TRIPURA SUNDARI DEVI TEMPLE is currently undergoing significant development in order to attract more pilgrims and enhance the cultural and religious significance of Tripura as a major tourist destination. This development and facelift of the temple and its surrounding premises, including a lake, is being carried out under the PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan schemes.

The temple, situated in the ancient city of Udaipur, approximately 55 km from the capital city of Agartala, is expected to provide extensive facilities for devotees and tourists alike. The total cost of this ambitious project is estimated to be Rs 29 crore being provided by the union government.

The Tripura Sundari Devi temple is one of the sacred 51 Hindu Shakti Peethas and attracts numerous devotees from all over the country who come to offer their prayers to the deity. During the Deepawali festival each year, the number of pilgrims can reach up to 4 to 5 lakhs.

To accommodate the increasing number of devotees and promote religious tourism, the development project has been undertaken under the PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan schemes. 

The project includes the renovation and redevelopment of the temple premises, construction of two toilet blocks, a changing room for devotees, and other necessary facilities. The work is currently in its final stages. According to historical evidence, the Tripura Sundari temple was built by Maharaja (King) Dhanya Manikya around 1500 AD and has been a centre of religious faith for over 525 years. The temple still follows the traditions of the Manikya dynasty.

Officials involved in the project believe that its completion will attract even more visitors and further increase the cultural, religious and tourism importance of the state. While the date for the inauguration of the renovated complex has not yet been finalised, it is expected to take place in April 2025 and the Prime Minister of India is likely to grace the occasion.

(The writer is a journalist based in Hyderabad, India)

February 25, 2025