Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of 4,051 mi² or 10,491.69 km². Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are Bengali and Kokborok. It was formerly an independent Tripuri kingdomand was merged with independent India on 15 October 1949 by the Tripura Merger Agreement. It was also known as "Hill Tippera" (anglicized version of Tipra) during the British Raj period and has a history of over 2500 years and 186 kings.

Tourist Places

Agartala

Agartala is the capital of the Indian state of Tripura. It lies on the Haora River and is located 2 km from Bangladesh. It has temples and palaces. The population of Agartala was 367,822 in 2004 after the municipal expansion[1] (189,327 in the 2001 census).

Unakoti

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. It is the prime tourist spot of North Tripura District in the Kailashahar Subdivision in the North-eastern Indian state of Tripura

Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary

Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary is a place of interest and a tourist spot in Tripura, India. It covers an area of about 18.53 km². Located about 25 km (15 miles) from the city centre. It is a well maintained sanctuary and the best time is to visit during winter. It is a charming woodland with an artificial lake and natural botanical and zoological gardens. It gives shelter to about 150 species of birds and the unique bespectacled monkey (Phayre's Langur).

Dumboor Lake

Place of Interest A water area of 41 km2. with an un-ending spell of luxuriant green vegetation all around stands majestic for her exceedingly charming beauty and 48 islands in the midst of the lake. Migratory birds, Water sports facilities are additional attractions. There is a Hydel Project near the lake from where River Gomati originates and this is called Tirthamukh where on 14 January every year famous 'Pous Sankranti Mela' takes place. The lake is the confluence of rivers Raima and Sarma. Various species of migratory birds are noticed in the winter and it has rich reservoir of natural and cultured fishes. Location : 120 k.m. from Agartala. Accommodation : Raima Tourist Lodge at Jatanbari, Go to Top of Page Tariff : Double bed Rs.200/-(AC)+10% tax, Rs.120/-(Non-AC)+10% tax.

Geography and climate

Tripura is a landlocked hilly state in northeastern India with altitudes varying from 15 to 940 m above sea level, though the majority of the population lives in the plains. Tripura has a tropical climate and receives rainfall during the monsoons. It is surrounded on the north, west, and south by Bangladesh and is accessible to the rest of India through the Karimganj district of Assam and Aizawl district of Mizoram in the east. The state extends between 22°56'N and 24°32'N and 90°09'E and 92°10'E. Its maximum stretch measures about 184 km (114 mi) from north to south and 113 km (70 mi) from east to west with an area of 10,491.69 km². Tripura is the third smallest state of the country.Although landlocked, Tripura has many rivers including the Manu River which originates here.

Economy

Tripura's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $2.1 billion in current prices. Agriculture and allied activities is the mainstay of the people of Tripura and provides employment to about 64% of the population. There is a preponderance of food crop cultivation over cash crop cultivation in Tripura. At present about 62% of the net sown area is under food crop cultivation. Rice is the principal crop, followed by oilseed, pulses, potato, and sugarcane. Tea and rubber are the important cash crops of the State. Tripura has been declared the Second Rubber Capital of India after Kerala by the Indian Rubber Board. Handicraft, particularly hand-woven cotton fabic, wood carvings, and bamboo products, are also important. The per capita income at current prices of the state stands at 10,931 and at constant prices 6,813 in the financial year 2000-2001.

High quality timber including sal, garjan, teak, and Gamar are found abundantly in the forests of Tripura. Tripura has poor mineral resources, with meagre deposits of kaolin, iron ore, limestone, coal but this state has considerable amount of natural gas. The industrial sector of the state continues to be highly underdeveloped.ONGC has its natural gas gathering station & GAIL has marketing terminals of Natural gas in north,west & south part of tripura. ONGC & Tripura state governmnet going to establish 700MW poer plant at Palatan in south tripura.

Culture

Tripura has several diverse ethno-linguistic groups, which has given rise to a composite culture. The dominant cultures are Bengali, Tripuris, Jamatia, Reang, Noatia, Koloi, Murasing, Chakma, Halam, Garo, Kuki, Mizo, Mogh, Munda, Oraon, Santhal, and Uchoi.

Tripura has a rich cultural heritage of music, fine arts, handicrafts and dance. Music is an integral part of the tribal people of Tripura. Some of their indigenous instruments are the sarinda, chongpreng, and sumui (a kind of flute). Songs are sung during religious occasions, marriages, and other festivals. Agricultural festivals are integral to the culture of the state.

Dance is important to the tribal way of life. Dances are performed during Goria Puja. Hojagiri dance is performed by standing on a pitcher and is performed by the Reang clans. The Bihu dance is performed by the Chakmas during Chaitra Sankranti (the last day of the month of Chaitra).Tripura produce some renowned artists like Sachin Deb Barman Rahul Deb Barman. Dhirendrakrishna Deb Barman was the ex principle of Kalabhawan ,Santiniketan.Rabindranath Tagore himself was highly attach with Tripura royal family . In the field of fine arts , Shyamacharan Painter, Silpi Nalinikanta Majumder, Rajkumari Kanchanprabha,they renowned, and after established the govt college of art and craft Silpi,Sumangal Sen, Bimal Kar ,Bipulkanti saha, Chinmoy roy,Pashanto Sengupta,Sakti Halder ,Patrha Pratim Ganguli ,Sapwan Nandi all are initiated highly the atmosphere of art in Tripura. At present the Govt art college is one of the most beautiful art campus in North east India. Afterward ,Dipika saha, Sanghamitra nandi, Kajal deb ,Harekrishna Paul,Abhijit bhattacharjee,Bishwaranjan Debnath they started teaching in art college ..Those Artists are staying out of the state among them, Radhabinod Sarma ,Jayanta Bhattacharya(Tuichidrai),Naton Majumder,Pranab Chakaborty,Palto Barman,Mnimoy Deb Barman,Asha Deb Barman and others are also very promising and working with the time. young staff those are preparing their masters ,they are working with different medium and promoting art .

Education

Tripura schools are run by the state government or by private organizations, including religious institutions. Instruction is mainly in Bengali or English, though Kokborok and other tribal languages are also used. Secondary schools are affiliated with the CISCE, the CBSE, the NIOS or the Tripura Board of Secondary Education. Under the 10+2+3 plan, after completing secondary school, students typically enroll for 2 years in a junior college, also known as pre-university, or in schools with a higher secondary facility. Notable higher education institutions of Tripura are MBB College, National Institute of Technology, Tripura Institute of Technology, Agartala Government Medical College, Tripura Medical College, Tripura Institute Of Paramedical Science, Tripura University, and ICFAI University all located in Agartala.