• Contact us
  • Advertising Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
Sunday, July 27, 2025
29 °c
Agartala
enewstime
  • Home
  • News
    • Northeast
    • National
    • International
    • Tripura News
  • Sports
    AIFF confirm Xavi, Pep applications for men's team head coach were hoax

    AIFF confirm Xavi, Pep applications for men's team head coach were hoax

    Ravi Dahiya resumes training after surgery, says 'Hopeful of making it to LA 2028 Olympics'

    Ravi Dahiya resumes training after surgery, says 'Hopeful of making it to LA 2028 Olympics'

    Raducanu, Shelton, Moutet, and Fernandez advance to Washington SF

    Raducanu, Shelton, Moutet, and Fernandez advance to Washington SF

    Joe Root is mastering his craft more with every knock: Jonathan Trott

    Joe Root is mastering his craft more with every knock: Jonathan Trott

    WPL: Abhishek Nayar named UP Warriorz new head coach

    WPL: Abhishek Nayar named UP Warriorz new head coach

    'Was it ethical for Stokes to bowl so many yorkers at Pant with injured foot': Panesar

    'Was it ethical for Stokes to bowl so many yorkers at Pant with injured foot': Panesar

    Bracewell to replace Phillips for first Test against Zimbabwe

    Bracewell to replace Phillips for first Test against Zimbabwe

    Not fully satisfied with my bowling, I'll look to improve: Kamboj

    Not fully satisfied with my bowling, I'll look to improve: Kamboj

    4th Test: Pant's injury a 'body blow' for India, will affect the dressing room, says Shastri

    4th Test: Pant's injury a 'body blow' for India, will affect the dressing room, says Shastri

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Features
  • TendersNew
  • More
    • Old Archive
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Northeast
    • National
    • International
    • Tripura News
  • Sports
    AIFF confirm Xavi, Pep applications for men's team head coach were hoax

    AIFF confirm Xavi, Pep applications for men's team head coach were hoax

    Ravi Dahiya resumes training after surgery, says 'Hopeful of making it to LA 2028 Olympics'

    Ravi Dahiya resumes training after surgery, says 'Hopeful of making it to LA 2028 Olympics'

    Raducanu, Shelton, Moutet, and Fernandez advance to Washington SF

    Raducanu, Shelton, Moutet, and Fernandez advance to Washington SF

    Joe Root is mastering his craft more with every knock: Jonathan Trott

    Joe Root is mastering his craft more with every knock: Jonathan Trott

    WPL: Abhishek Nayar named UP Warriorz new head coach

    WPL: Abhishek Nayar named UP Warriorz new head coach

    'Was it ethical for Stokes to bowl so many yorkers at Pant with injured foot': Panesar

    'Was it ethical for Stokes to bowl so many yorkers at Pant with injured foot': Panesar

    Bracewell to replace Phillips for first Test against Zimbabwe

    Bracewell to replace Phillips for first Test against Zimbabwe

    Not fully satisfied with my bowling, I'll look to improve: Kamboj

    Not fully satisfied with my bowling, I'll look to improve: Kamboj

    4th Test: Pant's injury a 'body blow' for India, will affect the dressing room, says Shastri

    4th Test: Pant's injury a 'body blow' for India, will affect the dressing room, says Shastri

  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Features
  • TendersNew
  • More
    • Old Archive
No Result
View All Result
enewstime
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Features
  • Tenders
  • More
Home Old Archive

Rock-cut carvings of Unakoti

Lakshmi Puri by Lakshmi Puri
October 10, 2015 - Updated on July 18, 2025
in Old Archive, Stories from Tripura
উত্তরপূর্ব ভারতের বিস্ময়কর এক শিল্পভূমি – পর্ব ১
30
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

* Subhasish Chanda

ADVERTISEMENT

Treading the pathways of undulating terrain bisecting deep forests and having a glance of peeped in gorges and narrow rivers and spring at times, and all the while meeting strange variety of flora and fauna and off course, forests’  children always amazing the urban tourists seeking to escape from their daily grind life.Such a nature’s reserve is Unakoti, which is admixed with added colour, smell and taste in terms of history, archaeology and religious trait beckons tourists.  This is a moderate height hill range engraved with rock cut carvings of Hindu pantheon of the lost civilization, situated in a cool and calm ambiance of lush green in North Tripura.

About 170 km far off from the capital of the State, the Unakoti hill presents rock cut images of Hindu God and Goddesses. Huge carvings in a sprawling rock-wall appeared to have chiseled out, and imag es curved out that spread here and there and at different heights. Mythological tales sound interesting and  states that there was an Assembly of God and Goddesses numbering less than one, with the Lord of Gods, Shiva leaving for Benaras at a point of time and the place is named as Unakoti.

Unakoti pantheons are of two types namely rock-carved and stone images. Central to these rock cut carvings are the Shiva and Ganesha. The colossal image of Shiva head, of 30 ft height, carved in a vertical rock is known as ‘Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava’. Its head is embroidered in tresses forming a headdress of 10 feet high. On its adjacent there is a rock cut image of goddess Durga standing on a lion, while on the other there is an image of goddess Ganga sitting on a Capricorn. There are also images of Nandi Bull lying half buried in the ground.

ADVERTISEMENT

Just a few meters down the Shiva carving three magnificent images of Lord Ganesha are found. A rare carving of the four-armed seated Ganesha and on its side two standing figures of Sarabhuja Ganesha with three tusks and the Asthabhuja Ganesha with four tusks are also found. Moreover, a three-eyed figure, believed to be that of Surya or Lord Vishnu is found. Other images found are chaturmukha Shivlinga, Nandi, Narasimha, Shri Ram, Ravana,

Hanuman, and several unidentified deities. Hearsay is that digging anytime anywhere in the surrounding area, known also as Devasthal along the Unakoti-Belkum hill, one can find out an image of Shiva or the like carved out of rocks. At the bottom of Unakoti, a beautiful spring descending the hill terraces fills up a cavern, called “Sita Kunda”, having a dip into which is regarded as sacred. Every year, a big fair popularly known as ‘Ashokastami Mela’ is held during April when thousands of devotees visit the place to offer their prayers and have a dip in the ‘Sita Kunda’. Asserting on the importance of its development as an ideal tourist spot, the Union Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Rs. 1.13 crore in 2009-10 under Unakoti destination development project for creation of tourist information centre, cafeteria, public amenities, view platform, landscaping etc within the radius of 5 sq.km of the site. According to the project officials of the Tripura tourism department the project, which has been handed over to the ASI, is likely to start new amenities very soon.

 

Unakoti is believed to have had the influence of the Shiva cult originating from the Pala-era of the mediaeval period of Indian history. At the same time, the influences of several other cults like Tantric, Shakti, and Hatha yogis are also found to be present around this archaeological wonder. According to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI),Unakoti dates back to the 8th or 9th century AD. Yet, many others differ with the opinion, conceding that it dates back longer further holding that those images were carved out in different spell of time.

As the history and tales of Unakoti still hover in obscurity it demands integrated research by ASI and the like institutions to uncover the mystery and a chapter of hidden past of Indian civilization. (PIB)

*Writer: Subhasis Chanda is the former Media & Communication Officer of PIB, Agartala and at present AD of AIR News, Agartala.

Related Posts

MHA-extends-Lockdown
Main

MHA extends Lockdown till May 17, lists relaxations for less-affected areas

May 1, 2020 - Updated on July 19, 2025
People flooded social media responding #TripuraWearsMask call
Old Archive

People flooded social media responding #TripuraWearsMask call

April 30, 2020 - Updated on July 19, 2025
MBB-Airport-Tripura
North East

AAI HQ yet to decide flight sequence for MBB Airport Agartala

April 30, 2020 - Updated on July 19, 2025
Covid19-Vehicle-Santization-Tunnel-Tripura
North East

Covid19 war in Tripura: Vehicle Santization Tunnel set up

April 30, 2020 - Updated on July 19, 2025
DU-Harvard-University
India

Amid Covid19 gloom: DU students win Global Case Competition at Harvard

April 30, 2020 - Updated on July 19, 2025
All-Party-meet-Covid19-Tripura
North East

Lockdown blues: Tripura Govt to procure paddy through FCI

April 30, 2020 - Updated on July 19, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
D-2050 D-2050 D-2050
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

About us

Enewstime.in is run by an individual – a Journalist by profession of Tripura with the active help of several journos including senior journalists of the State. On top of that, Enewstime.in being a subscriber of IANS news agency, we have plenty of multi-choice topics to offer to our esteemed readers. Enewstime.in is a venture reach global audience from a tiny State Tripura.

Latest News

Centre to states: Do immediate safety audits across schools; mental health support now compulsory

‘Act East Policy’: India sends humanitarian assistance of 5 MT Black-eyed Cowpea Seeds to Fiji

Arunachal Guv reviews law and order situation in state’s sensitive districts

‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ observed in Northeastern states with solemn ceremonies

Seminar in Tripura Explores NEP’s Real-Time Impact in Higher Education

1st Div Football: Blood Mouth Club Edge Past Ramkrishna Club

Contact us

19, Old Thana Road. Banamalipur. PO. Agartala. Pin code 799001. Tripura (West), India.

Email: enewstime2017@gmail.com

Wa: 8794548041

  • Contact us
  • Advertising Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

© 2025 Designed & Developed with ❤️ by Provibe Media LLP

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Northeast
    • National
    • International
    • Tripura News
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Features
  • Tenders
  • More
    • Old Archive

© 2025 Designed & Developed with ❤️ by Provibe Media LLP