Unakoti had been on want record for a very long time. I heard tales of it and numerous theories about how these sculptures got here to be. All that I learn and heard made me imagine that it’s a key archaeological website, which it’s. So, when a chance came visiting Tripura, I budgeted a snug slot for visiting Unakoti. In actual fact, Kumarghat was my base in Tripura, which is without doubt one of the two locations you’ll be able to go to it from. Our plan was to go to it on Tuesday, however by some stroke of future, we needed to pre-pone it to Monday.
It was after we reached there, I noticed so many individuals, many sporting the sacred saffron, carrying water from their rivers to do Abishek at Unakoti. It was the Monday of Shravana month. All of the sudden, the which means of the place modified. It was not a lifeless archaeological place however a residing respiratory Tirtha. What is called Kanwar Yatra in North India is adopted virtually in each a part of the nation. Younger males and even ladies carry water from distant locations, many carry them in pots tied to a rod and pour it on Shiva within the sacred month of Shravan.
Unakoti actually means one much less a Koti or a Crore, or 10 million. It is without doubt one of the most stunning archaeological websites that’s mendacity huge open within the hills of North Tripura. It’s a residing Tirtha that comes alive for Ashoka Ashtami throughout Chaitra Navaratri when a good takes place right here. This made me assume if it was as soon as a Shakta website as Ashtami, that too throughout Navaratri, is without doubt one of the most auspicious days for Devi worship. And, as I noticed throughout Sharavan Somvars or Monday folks go to it in numbers.
Legends of Unakoti
The favored legend goes that when Shiva was on his solution to Kashi together with Koti or One crore different devatas and his ganas. They made an evening halt at this place with a promise to go away early morning. Nevertheless, within the morning solely Shiva received up and everybody else saved sleeping. So, Shiva turned all of them into rocks and he moved on to his favourite metropolis on the banks of Ganga. That is how the sculptures got here to be they usually proceed to be within the rocky area of Tripura. Since Shiva left and the remaining 99,99,999 remained right here, the place got here to be generally known as Unakoti. Irony is that there are distinguished Shiva sculptures and lots of Shivalingas unfold throughout the location, so did Shiva actually go away?
One other legend says as soon as there was a sculptor who worshipped Parvati and wished to accompany her and Shiva to Kailash and reside with them. When Shiva-Parvati was passing by Unakoti hills, he expressed his want however Shiva was not in a temper to take him alongside. So, he put a situation that if he can create a Koti sculpture in an evening, he’ll permit him to come back to Kailash with him. Nevertheless, within the morning his sculptures fell brief by one and the place received its identify as Unakoti.
You may select the story that appeals extra to you. Nobody has counted the sculptures, however it’s true that in every single place you look there are sculptures. Giant rocks are carved in-situ – as in the place they’re. Other than them, there are sculptures within the type of Murtis and lingas. Many of those are nonetheless worshipped. On high of the hill, there’s a shed like museum the place among the giant life-size sculptures are saved. I discovered Vishnu, Hanuman, Sri Ram and Uma Mahesh right here within the kinds that tells me that Ramayana was in all probability sculpted together with different puranic tales of Vishnu and Shiva.
Visiting Unakoti
As quickly as you enter the location by a safety gate, and stroll in direction of the principle website, you see a stupendous lush inexperienced valley in entrance of you. Neat and steep staircases promise to take you down after which convey you up. As quickly as you begin happening, the large sculptures of Shiva and Parvati glace at you, just like the prelude of a musical. You surprise on the big Shiva bas reduction, with flowing Jatas as if Ganga is keen to fall free, huge earrings and necklace. As quickly as you’re taking your eyes off Shiva, you meet his consort Uma, comparable in measurement and magnificence.
From right here while you look down you see a waterfall that gathers right into a pond at common intervals. The primary one is on the intersection of stairs coming from both facet of hill. That is the place there may be one other huge bas reduction of Shiva, who can be referred as Kotishwara Kala Bhairava typically. Surrounding him are a number of Nandi Murtis in several states of decay. In entrance of the rock carving are totally different lingas in stone which are nonetheless worshipped. Because it was the Shravan Somvar, numerous folks have been worshipping, doing abhishek and telling their needs within the ears of Nandi. A pandit ji was serving to folks with formal puja. Younger males have been taking a dip within the pond whereas ladies of their purple and white saris lit incense sticks whereas saying their prayers.
The water flows downstream and about 100 meters down; it passes by a huge Ganesha sculpture that’s surrounded by elephants. The movement is nearly just like the genes that go from mother and father to the son.
Subrai Khung is one other identify of Unakoti in native Kokbrok language, that you simply learn written simply earlier than the primary Shiva sculpture you meet. While you stand subsequent to this board, you see the sharp rocks standing tall and also you surprise how somebody would have sculpted at such heights. Some sculptures are seen solely while you go round it, which primarily means you want to go round the entire website. There are some damaged items mendacity round and one wonders if it’s a crown or a neckpiece.
Residing Temples of Unakoti
Throughout the valley, you want to climb one other hill to succeed in the highest. On the way in which I discovered so many Shivalingas beneath the timber, a stupendous Chaturmukhlinga in a small mandapa. Near it on the rocks I noticed Lajja Gauri and one other feminine determine that I couldn’t decipher. On high, there may be shed with many giant sculptures.
Right here I discovered a platform, with temple like steps resulting in it, the place the Murtis and lingas was being worshipped. A slender melancholy on the rock, that was stuffed with milk, is believed to be the footprint of Vishnu. On the opposite facet was a small Goria Baba temple the place a priest instructed me that that is the unique Kailasg the place Shiva lived. Certainly, the city shut by is known as Kailashahar. I’d later be taught that Goria baba is the Kuldevata of some tribes in Tripura.
As you go up and down the hills, wherever you look there are sculptures. Some you establish, others hold teasing you. You surprise if this was as soon as the biggest open-air temple. Was this actually one thing linked to Kashi or the migrants out of India, in all probability in direction of South East Asia, planted and carried tales from Indian Itihasa-Purana.
Historians date these sculptures to not less than 7-9th CE however that’s only a guess based mostly on model. It could possibly be a lot older. An inscription solely mentions a go to in 11-12th CE indicating it existed earlier than that. To me, these sculptures inform us the deep historic roots of our Puranik tales.
Journey Ideas
Unakoti is sweet 5-6 hours drive from Agartala. You may keep both at Dharamnagar or Kumarghat and go to Unakoti from there. It’s about 45 minutes from both place.
Finances good 3-4 hours for the location. Put on comfy sneakers and carry your water.
Meals is accessible exterior the gate.
Sadly, no guides both as a e book or in individual can be found to present a guided tour.
You may benefit from the well-known Queen Pineapple of Tripura on this area.