Agartala

Agartala

 

Capital of: Tripura

Main language: Bengali. Other languages include Kokborok, Manipuri, Changma, and Nepali.

 

History: Agartala is located 2 km from Bangladesh. It is the capital of Tripura and lies on the banks of rive Haora. The ancient capital of Swadhin Tripura was the ancient city of Rangmati based in south Tripura by the banks of the river Gomati in the year 1760 A.D. This capital was shifted by Maharaja Krishna Kishore Manikya to the current old Agartala and was named 'Haveli'. But due to the invasion of the Kuki's and for convenient communication with the British the capital was again shifter from Old Haveli to New Haveli, which is the present Agartala, in the year 1849. The founder of the planned city of Agartala was Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur is called the founder of the planned City of Agartala. He re-organized the infrastructure of the city and planned roads and market buildings. 

 

Economy:

 

The city of Agartala prospered and being the capital of the state there was growth of central and state government enterprises along with the growth of government employment opportunities. The private sectors also expanded with pivotal business area in the city like Gol Bazaar and Kaman Chowmuhani where huge potpourri of shops, bazaars and banks are located. The main exports from the city are tea, gas/LPG and rubber. 

 

Population: The population of the city, as per the 2001 census was 189,327. The male female ratio is 1:1. The literacy rate of the city is 85% higher as compared to the national average of 59%. Even the females hold a literacy rate of 42%. 

 

Geography: 

 

Agartala is located in the north eastern part of India. The average rainfall is 22.4 cm with the maximum rainfall period being June to August. In summers the temperature is 35 °C - 21.7 °C and in winters it is 25 °C - 10.1 °C.

 

Tourism:

 

The best period to visit the city is from October to April when the weather is cooler. The main tourist attractions are Temple, BenuVan Vihar, Jagannath Old Agartala, Buddha Vihar, Maharaja Veer Vikram College, Ujjayanta Palace, Kunjavan Palace and the Rabindra Kanan, State Museum. 

 

Culture and festivals:

 

Agartala has a cosmopolitan culture due to its proximity to Bangladesh and immigration from other states in the early years its growth. There are rich cultural diversities in the city and plenty of festivals going on through out the year. The Kharchi" Festival is the unique bathing festival of fourteen deities. During this festival the deities are taken out by the priests and placed on decorated cushions. They are then carried to the temple courtyard where they are bathed amidst chanted hymns and drums. 14 km from Agartala is the Chaturdas Devta Bari Temple which is famous for its tribal festival of Karachi held in the month of July annually. 

 

Transportation:

 

Agartala has regular flights from Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati. Agartala has an extensive railway connection which is one of the biggest in the north eastern parts of the country. Agartala can be reached by good roods through Silchar, Guwahati, Shillong and Dharmanagar.