Unakoti Temple


Unakoti temple-

Unakoti famously known as Angkor Wat of the North-East is a sculptural emblem and ancient Shaivite place that hosts rock carvings figures and images of gods and goddesses. It is the prime tourist spot of Unakoti District, in the Kailashahar Subdivision of the North-eastern Indian state of Tripura. It is famous for its colossal rock cut panels depicting Hindu deities. Unakoti provides evidence of ancient Saiva worship in Tripura from 8th-9th centuries CE.

  Kal Bhairava

Unakoti literally means "one less one crore". It is a place of worship with huge rock reliefs celebrating Shiva. The images found at Unakoti are of two types: namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock-cut carvings, the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha figures deserve special mention. The central Shiva head known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full-size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side. In addition, three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half-buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock-cut images at Unakoti.

Every year a big fair popularly known as Ashokastami Mela is held in the month of April. The festival is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Another smaller festival takes place in January.

                                                                    Lord Ganesh sculpture

Story-

As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses he made a night halt at this location. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise and proceed for Kashi.

It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else could get up so Lord Shiva set out for Kashi himself cursing the others to become stone images. As a result we have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at Unakoti.


Summary-

The site has suffered centuries of neglect causing degradation and loss of considerable scale to the rock art.

Unakoti is a must-visit place for anyone who loves hiking and exploring historical places. Unakoti is not crowded and you can enjoy the beauty of the place in peace.

 


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