The next morning, we woke up early to a quiet, golden dawn. I made a quick cup of coffee in our room — a simple ritual that always feels like the perfect start to any travel day. By 7:30 AM, Narayan was ready with the car to take us to the sacred Maa Tripureswari Temple, also known as Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India.
The temple’s surroundings were serene and divine — an atmosphere that words can hardly capture. I had long wished to visit this holy site, and standing there that morning, I couldn’t help but feel that the Goddess herself had fulfilled my wish.
Behind the temple lies a beautiful lake named Kalyan Sagar, which adds immeasurable charm to the temple’s beauty. The lake was alive with large fish and turtles gliding peacefully across the water — a delightful sight, especially for my younger son, Jiyan, who watched them with sheer joy.
It’s said that the prasadam (pera) from this temple is famous all over Tripura — and of course, we couldn’t leave without tasting it! After offering our prayers and spending some quiet moments soaking in the divinity of the place, we began our journey towards our next destination — Chabimura (also known as Debtamura).
Located on the banks of the Gomati River, Chabimura is often called the “Amazon of Tripura.” It is a breathtaking blend of nature and history — a place where ancient rock carvings of Hindu deities are etched into the cliffs rising dramatically from the river. Among these, the most prominent is the grand Mahishasuramardini (Goddess Durga) sculpture, locally known as Chakrak Maa.
As luck would have it, the boat we boarded also carried a Tripuri family who were traveling to perform a special puja dedicated to the Goddess. We were invited to join them, and being part of that sacred ritual in such a divine setting felt like pure blessing.
Because of heavy rain the previous night, the Gomati River was a bit wild that morning. The boat ride, though slightly risky, turned into an adventurous and thrilling experience, with the engine humming and waves splashing around us. The ancient sculptures, believed to date back to the 15th or 16th century, stood silently among the cliffs, telling stories of faith and art that have survived time itself. I couldn’t help but feel that places like Chabimura deserve more recognition and preservation — they are treasures of our shared heritage.
After returning from the trip, we enjoyed a late lunch and headed back toward our homestay. However, our timing was off — the city’s No-Entry restrictions for vehicles during Durga Puja had just begun. We missed the cutoff by only five minutes, forcing us to get down nearly a kilometer away and walk the rest of the way to our room.
The evening unfolded just like the day before — filled with festive lights, music, and colorful pandals. As we walked back through the lively streets, tired but content, I felt grateful. Each day in Agartala was slowly revealing the heart of this small yet soulful city — a place where spirituality, culture, and nature come together in quiet harmony.
