If Monuments Tempt You, Forget Rajasthan and Explore The Medieval Marvel Tripura Instead

Ujjayanta Palace Lake is a gorgeous building that is also a state museum where you can witness rich art, culture and history of Tripura. The majestic building was built under the reign of Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya and is flanked by lakes on both sides. Reminiscent of Mughal architecture, the palace resembles the famous Lake Palace in Udaipur. In fact, it is the last palace that was built by the Manikya dynasty and thus, remains an integral part of the state's history and culture.

Know before you go: The palace remains closed on Mondays.

Renowned as the largest lake palace in the country, Neermahal Palace is situated on the banks of the pristine Rudrasagar Lake. This is the only palace of its kind in all of north-east India and is a must visit if you're in Tripura. The palace was built over the course of eight years and amalgamates Hindu and Muslim architectural styles.

Know before you go: Although there are cheaper options available, the best way to explore the palace is by hiring a private row-boat only for ₹270.

Situated 125km away from Agartala is Unakoti, a pilgrimage site that features thousands of sculptures of Shiva. Deeply related to mythology, this is a must-visit if you have a penchant for stories and legends. The site dates back to 9th century and boasts of about 350 steps that one must climb to reach the ruins. The structure of Unakoti will transport you to Kailasa Temple at Ellora.

Know before you go: Getting to Unakoti is not an easy task. You will have to take a train to Kumarghat (27km away) or Dharmanagar (41km away) and then hire a cab to Unakoti.

Dedicated to Goddess Bhuwaneswari, this is one of the most important temples in north-east India. This 17th century temple has been the subject of two of Rabindranath Tagore's plays because of which it attracts pilgrims and tourists from around the world. The Gomati river flows beside the temple which also makes it a good spot for nature lovers and photographers.

Know before you go: Every Monday, a special fair is held at the temple that you can check out.

With palaces, temples and ruins on offer, why visit mainstream destinations in Rajasthan when you can explore the unexplored Tripura? Head to this tiny state and discover sites that will take your breath away.

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