Unakoti is popularly known as the Angkor Wat of India in its North East. The place is famous for its mysterious rock carvings and sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The Unakoti is a worship place celebrating Lord Shiva with magnificent rock reliefs. The word Unakoti means “One Less Than a Koti” where Koti means crore or 10 million. The Unakoti hill lies about 8 Km from Kailashahar’s sub-divisional headquarter of Tripura state in India. The hills with amazing stone carvings are also full of lush greenery making this place even more beautiful and mysterious. The place is a Shaivite pilgrimage site and is assumed to be from the 8th or 9th century, some say that it is even older than this.
The sculptures carved here depict the scenes of various mythological events related to Lord Shiva, Ganesha, Uma-Mahadeva etc. The carvings are from the period of Pre-Manikya rule.
how the place has got its name Unakoti, the folklore says that once Lord Shiva was travelling to Kashi from Kailash along with one crore (ten million) Gods and Goddesses including himself. During their journey, they reached Raghunandan Hill at night. It was decided to take shelter and rest on the hill. Lord Shiva strictly advised all the God and Goddesses to get up early in the morning in order to continue their journey to Kashi. Unfortunately, except Lord Shiva, none of the others could manage to get up early. This made Shiva angry and he left the place alone for his journey towards the Kashi, cursing the all sleeping Gods and Goddess to get tuned into stone and to stay there forever. As only Shiva left the place and the remaining God and Goddesses which were less than a crore left as stone sculptures on the Hill, and they got famous as Unakoti.
Another legend very famous among locals is that of Kalu Kamar who was a local sculptor. As per the legend once Kalu Kamar had a dream that if he could carve ten million sculptures of Hindu God and Goddesses on the hill in just one night, this place will become as auspicious as Kashi and will get the status equivalent of Kashidham.
He worked tirelessly throughout the night to carve these sculptors but was able to create one less than a crore sculpture of the Hindu deities, Kalu Kamar wishes to create a last sculpture of his own so that in future the artist and his creation will be remembered for the ages. The people believe that this self-conceit of Kalu Karam was not appreciated by the almighty and the last idol could not be made and Unakoti could never get the status as that of Kashidham.
Another belief says that Kalu Kamar was a great devotee of Goddess Parvati. He had the wish to accompany Lord Shiva and Parvati to their abode on Kailash. Lord Shiva after the acknowledgement by Parvati put a condition in front of Kalu that if he could carve Koti sculptures of Lord Shiva in one night, then he will fulfil his wish. Kalu worked tirelessly to complete the task but unfortunately missed one sculpture. Since then, the place is named Unakoti, a famous Shiva pilgrimage place in Tripura.
The attraction of Art at Unakoti
All the curiosity, and mystery generated by the local beliefs and stories, the attraction is in the art of idols carved on the rocks of the hill. The number of idols of lord Shiva and also of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses surrounded by green vegetation and located in the beautiful landscape of Raghunandan Hills makes it a must to visit place in life. A 30 feet tall sculpture of Lord Shiva with 10 feet crown known as Unakotiswar Shiva is a masterpiece of art. On the other side of this huge sculpture, one will be mesmerized by the carvings of Goddess Durga standing on a lion on one hand and Goddess Ganga on the other side. There are so many beautiful sculptures of other Gods and Goddesses like Chandrashekhar Shiva, Kamdev, Kalbhairava, Trimurti, Hanuman, Saraswati and many more. Another worth mentioning statue is the gigantic Lord Ganesha and Vishnu.
The Main Period to Visit
In the month of March-April a large festival is celebrated on Ashokashtami at Unakoti. A large number of pilgrims come to this place during this festival to worship here far across the country. Tourist visits the place throughout the year at Unakoti from different parts of the country and the world.
How to Reach?
It is situated in the state of Tripura of India. Unakoti is about 178 Km from Agartala, which is the capital of Tripura.
Nearest Airport: Agartala and flights are available from all major parts of the country.
Taxi: From Agartala one may hire a taxi to reach Unakoti. During their journey by taxi, one may also visit Dumburu, Chhabimura and Jampui Hill. The ride may cost around Rs. 2000-2500 for a small taxi car for a full day.
Public Transport: Public transport like buses and trains is also available up to Kumarghat of Kailashahar, which is about 8 KM from Unakoti.
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