Unakoti Temple in Tripura

 

Image Credit - makemytrip.com

Mystery of Unakoti Temple

Unakoti is a Hindi word that means "one less than a crore" (10 million). Although there aren't many rock-cut sculptures in the area, the hundreds of enormous rock-cut and sandstone sculptures, as well as scattered ruins of ancient temples, make Unakoti a special spot.

The Unakoti Tirtha, around 180 kilometers from Tripura's capital, Agartala, and about 8 kilometers from Kailasahwar town's sub-divisional headquarters is a one-of-a-kind site that bears no relation to any other in the country in terms of sheer grandeur and creativity.

The site is associated with a multitude of legends and myths, and locals regard it as a sacred site. One of the legends surrounding the place is that a prominent sculptor named Kalukumar had a dream in which he met Lord Shiva. The Lord instructed him to carve out one crore figures in one night in order to make the spot as holy as Varanasi. The sculptor and his colleagues toiled through the night and were nearly finished with the construction of one crore sculptures. When Kalukumar was just one sculpture from immortality, he had the idea to carve out his own figure, but the day broke out before he could finish his job, and the tremendous task of one crore sculptures began and the figures were still missing.

Another tale claims that one crore gods and goddesses, along with their followers, were on their way to Varanasi, led by Lord Shiva. They stated that they wanted to sleep for the night. Except for Lord Shiva, none of the gods were able to rise at the crack of dawn in the morning. Others had been transformed into stone. As a result, the location was given the name Unakoti.

Tourists Attractions

A 33-foot-high bust of Lord Shiva stands among the rock-cut sculptures. It had an 11-foot-tall headpiece that is now partially damaged. Unakotiswara Kalabhairava is the name given to the bust, which is the primary figure in the complex. Shiva's bust is distinguished by a third eye and a trident. On either side of the bust, two individuals are seated. The goddess Durga is said to be seated on a lion in one of the sculptures, while Ganga is said to be astride a Capricorn in the other.

How To Reach

Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport in Agartala is the closest airport.

Kumarghat railway station is the nearest station.