The story of Unakoti, Tripura's incredible wonder

A pilgrimage in Tripura, dating back to 7th-8th century, Unakoti is an unexplored gem. The first thing that you notice here is the large stone and rock-cut sculptures. The site is home to a Shaivite pilgrimage, and is one of the top places of interest in the state of Tripura. Here we will take a closer look at its history, and all that it encompasses.

The fascinating story of Unakoti is related to Lord Shiva. According to legends, Lord Shiva had spent a night here in this very spot on his way to Kashi. He was accompanied by 9999999 gods and goddesses, which is one less than a crore, hence the name Unakoti, meaning one less than a crore.

The story of Unakoti does not stop there. It is said that after a night’s rest, only Lord Shiva woke up the next morning, while everyone else was still asleep. Thus, Shiva put a curse on all the other gods and goddesses present there, before leaving for Kashi. Shiva put the curse that they will be turned to stone, and this is how this site came to existence.

The central rock carvings here are of course that of Lord Shiva, and also the larger than life Ganesha figures. The head of Lord Shiva is known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava, which is all of 30 ft high, and a head-dress that is 10 ft high. You will also see figures of Goddess Durga, and an unknown female on either side of Shiva.

The Unakoti site is also home to other structures, such as three large images of Nandi the Bull, that are half-buried in the ground. There are numerous other structures, as you can imagine, given the name of this place. The best time to explore and experience the historic site is during the Ashokastami Mela, which is held during the month of April.