Pilak is an archaeological complex at Jolaibari in South Tripura district, Tripura, where Buddhist and Hindu sculpture from roughly the 8th to 12th centuries lie scattered across paddy fields and low mounds. Stone images of Avalokiteshvara and Narasimha, brick stupa mounds and terracotta plaques survive here, protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The site sits about 100 km south of Agartala, on an old cultural route linking Bengal, the Tripura hills and the Arakan coast of Myanmar.
Pilak is an 8th–12th century Hindu–Buddhist archaeological site at Jolaibari in South Tripura district, Tripura, about 100 km from Agartala. Its paddy-field mounds have yielded stone images of Avalokiteshvara and Narasimha, brick stupas and terracotta plaques. The ASI has maintained the site since 1999; most sculptures now sit in the Tripura Government Museum, Agartala.
Key takeaways
- Pilak is at Jolaibari in South Tripura district, Tripura, roughly 100 km from Agartala, 51 km from Udaipur and 18 km from Santirbazar (per the Wikipedia survey of the site).
- Its antiquities are dated to the 8th–12th centuries; according to the late researcher Ratna Das, Pilak grew into a major Hindu–Buddhist centre from about the 8th century.
- Finds include large stone images of Avalokiteshvara (8th–9th century) and Narasimha, a standing Buddha slab, Surya and Chunda figures, and many terracotta plaques resembling those at Paharpur and Mainamati in Bangladesh.
- The ASI has been the site’s custodian since 1999; no permanent structure may be built within 150 m of it, and most carved stone is displayed at the Tripura Government Museum in Agartala.
- Best visited October to March; the nearest airport is Agartala (Maharaja Bir Bikram, MBB) and Jolaibari sits on the Agartala–Sabroom railway line.
About Pilak
Pilak is a dispersed archaeological site at Jolaibari in South Tripura district, Tripura, where Hindu and Buddhist antiquities from the 8th to 12th centuries lie across uplands, valleys and working paddy fields. It is not a single ruined monument but a spread of low mounds, locally called tillas, each with its own finds.
Sources differ on its extent. The Wikipedia survey and the Tripura Tourism material describe a site of about 10 sq km, while Outlook Traveller and the Incredible India portal give roughly 3 sq km of uplands and green valleys. Reports also place it in different sub-divisions: Wikipedia puts Jolaibari in the Santirbazar sub-division, while Outlook Traveller and others list the Belonia sub-division. All agree it lies in South Tripura district.
Quick facts (attributed below): a Hindu–Buddhist archaeological site of the 8th–12th centuries; named mounds include Shyam Sundar Tilla, Sundari Tilla, Thakurani Tilla, Deb Bari, Balir Pathar and Basudeb Bari; protected by the ASI since 1999; most carved stone is held at the Tripura Government Museum in Agartala.
The 8th–12th century dating and history
According to the Wikipedia survey of the scholarship, Pilak’s antiquities date to the 8th–12th centuries, with the earliest Hindu and Buddhist sculptures, terracotta plaques and seals belonging to the 8th and 9th centuries. The late researcher Ratna Das (1997), in Art and Architecture of Tripura, is cited for the view that the site emerged as a major Hindu–Buddhist centre from about the 8th century.
The same sources place Pilak within the ancient Samatata kingdom of historical Bengal, part of a chain of religious sites that includes Mainamati and Somapura Mahavihara (Paharpur) in present-day Bangladesh. Historian Dr Biswadip Nandi, quoted by EastMojo, links the sculptural style to Bengal of the 9th to 11th centuries.
Images were first noticed at Pilak from about 1927 onwards, the Wikipedia account notes. The ASI carried out excavations in the early 1960s that uncovered brick-built stupas, and later work continued at Jolaibari and other mounds. Dates for individual pieces come from this research, so treat the century given for each image as a scholarly attribution rather than a fixed fact.
Buddhist and Hindu sculpture side by side
The striking thing about Pilak is that Buddhist and Hindu images were made and used together here. The finds include Buddhist deities such as Avalokiteshvara, Marichi and Chunda alongside Hindu figures of Shiva, Surya, Baishnabi (a Vaishnava mother-goddess form) and Mahishasurmardini (the goddess slaying the buffalo demon), which art historians read as evidence of shared patronage rather than rivalry.
Several pieces are singled out in the sources. The table below lists the best-documented images and their attributed dates.
| Image | Tradition | Attributed date | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalokiteshvara (large stone) | Buddhist | 8th–9th century | A two-armed Avalokiteshvara is displayed at the Tripura Government Museum |
| Narasimha (large stone) | Hindu | c. 12th century | Man-lion avatar of Vishnu; unearthed at the site |
| Standing Buddha slab | Buddhist | 8th century | Cone-shaped slab with a small stupa engraved to one side |
| Surya (sun god) | Hindu | 7th–9th century | From the Sagardheba mound; shown on a chariot with seven horses |
| Chunda (18-armed) | Buddhist (Tantric) | 8th–10th century | Sandstone figure now revered as “Raja Rajeshwari” at Muhuripur |
| Marichi | Buddhist | 8th–9th century | Installed in the Vasudev-badi Hindu temple near the site |
Alongside the stone, Pilak is strewn with terracotta plaques and statues. Historian Panna Lal Roy, quoted by EastMojo, says these moulded plaques resemble those at Paharpur and Mainamati in Bangladesh; inscribed terracotta seals carry images of very small stupas. A terracotta Trimurti and a fired-clay seal culture round out the finds.
The stupas themselves survive as brick mounds. An ASI official told reporters that a full-size Buddhist stupa excavated at Sundari Tilla, under then-Superintendent P Kumaran, is of the 11th century and built in the style of the Pala rulers of Bengal. Some images noted by scholars, including the very large Avalokiteshvara and Narasimha, carry no single agreed century, so the dates above are best read as ranges.
ASI protection and where the finds are kept
The Archaeological Survey of India has been the custodian of Pilak since 1999 and is responsible for its maintenance, according to the Wikipedia survey and EastMojo’s report. As with other protected sites, no permanent structure may be built within 150 m of the remains, a rule the state tourism engineer confirmed to EastMojo in 2023.
Most of the carved stone has been moved for safekeeping. Sandstone sculptures from Pilak are displayed at the Tripura Government Museum (the State Museum) in Agartala, which holds the main collection of Pilak, Jolaibari and Udaipur pieces. A few images stayed in the countryside and became objects of living worship, such as the Chunda figure venerated as Raja Rajeshwari at Muhuripur and the Marichi image kept in the Vasudev-badi temple.
On the ground at Jolaibari you therefore see mounds, excavated foundations and scattered stone and terracotta rather than a single gallery; the most complete sculptures are best viewed in Agartala. Confirm current arrangements with the ASI Guwahati Circle or Tripura Tourism before a special trip, as display and conservation details change.
Why Pilak matters for Tripura’s history
Pilak matters because it places Tripura on an ancient cultural route rather than at the edge of one. According to the sources above, the site sat near the tri-junction of East Bengal, Tripura and the Arakan region of Myanmar, within the reach of the Samatata kingdom and close to Comilla in present-day Bangladesh.
Its mixed sculpture is read as a sign of exchange. Historian Panna Lal Roy describes Pilak as a symbol of Hindu–Buddhist cultural affinity, and the art-historical links to Pala and Gupta Bengal and to Arakan suggest ideas, images and craftsmen travelled through this corner of the Northeast. These are interpretations by historians, offered here as attributions rather than settled conclusions, since scholars still debate exactly how the two traditions related. For wider context on the state’s heritage, see our Tripura travel guide.
Best time to visit Pilak
The comfortable season to visit Pilak is October to March, the dry winter months across the Northeast, when days are mild and the paddy fields are easier to walk. South Tripura is hot and very wet through the summer monsoon, roughly May to September, when field mounds turn muddy and slippery.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | October–March | Mild, dry days; green or harvested paddy; easiest walking and photography |
| Pre-monsoon | April–May | Hot and humid; occasional thunderstorms |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain; muddy mounds and field paths; plan around downpours |
If you want to pair Pilak with the Tripureswari temple festivals at Udaipur, check the Hindu lunar calendar, as crowds and transport fill up around Diwali and Durga Puja.
How to reach Pilak
Reach Pilak by road to Jolaibari in South Tripura, about 100 km south of Agartala, with a short local leg to the mounds. There is no entry station at the site itself, so most visitors drive or take a bus down National Highway 8 and turn off near Jolaibari.
By air, the nearest airport is Agartala’s Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (MBB), the only commercial airport in Tripura, with flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and major metros. By rail, Jolaibari railway station (code JLBRI) lies on the broad-gauge Agartala–Sabroom line, which the Assam Tribune reports runs about 113 km under the Northeast Frontier Railway; Sabroom is the southern terminus. Agartala is the largest railhead if you prefer to break the journey in the capital.
| From | Distance | Typical mode |
|---|---|---|
| Jolaibari town | ~3 km | Auto / short drive |
| Santirbazar | ~18 km | Road / bus |
| Udaipur | ~51 km | Road / bus |
| Agartala (and MBB airport) | ~100 km | Road / bus; rail to Jolaibari |
State transport buses and shared vehicles run along the Agartala–Sabroom corridor; a hired taxi from Agartala or Udaipur gives the most flexibility for a mound-to-mound visit.
Entry, timings and fees
Pilak is largely an open archaeological site rather than a ticketed monument, so there is no fixed gate timing reported for the mounds themselves. Visit in daylight and allow one to two hours to walk the main clusters near Jolaibari.
The carved sculptures, however, are mostly in the Tripura Government Museum in Agartala, which keeps its own museum hours and ticket, so plan that as a separate stop. We could not verify a current, published entry fee or opening schedule for an on-site facility this session; the figures below are indicative planning notes only.
- Pilak mounds: open site, no ticketed entry reported (indicative, as of October 2026 — reconfirm locally).
- Tripura Government Museum, Agartala: ticketed, with its own timings and a usual weekly closed day — confirm at the counter or with Tripura Tourism.
Because entry rules and museum hours change, reconfirm with the ASI or Tripura Tourism before you travel, especially if you are coming a long way to see specific images.
A suggested itinerary
Pilak works best as a half-day stop on a wider South Tripura route. Two patterns suit most travellers.
- Day trip from Udaipur: drive south to Jolaibari in the morning, walk the Pilak mounds for one to two hours, and return via Santirbazar, stopping at the Tripureswari temple at Udaipur on the way back.
- Two-day heritage loop from Agartala: Day 1, see the Tripura Government Museum and the Pilak collection in Agartala, then drive to Udaipur for the night. Day 2, continue to Pilak at Jolaibari, then push further south to the Mahamuni pagoda at Manubankul near Sabroom before turning back.
Tripura Tourism has promoted a package circuit linking Pilak with Chhabimura and Udaipur, starting from Agartala, so a guided version of this loop may be available; ask when you book.
Where to stay
There is no large hotel strip at Pilak, so most visitors stay at Santirbazar, Udaipur or Agartala and travel in for the day. The state built a tourist bungalow at Jolaibari near the site, which is the closest formal option; book ahead, as rooms are few.
| Base | Type | Indicative band |
|---|---|---|
| Jolaibari | State tourist bungalow (nearest) | ₹1,000–₹2,500 |
| Santirbazar / Udaipur | Budget hotels, lodges, govt yatri niwas | ₹1,000–₹3,000 |
| Agartala | Mid-range to upper hotels | ₹2,500–₹6,000+ |
These are planning estimates to set expectations, not quotes; actual tariffs vary with season and demand. For government lodges, book through Tripura Tourism; for the Jolaibari bungalow, confirm availability before you set out.
Food to try
Eat local Tripuri and Bengali-influenced food around Pilak rather than expecting restaurants at the site. Carry water and snacks for the mound walk, and plan meals at Jolaibari, Santirbazar or Udaipur.
- Mui borok (traditional Tripuri cuisine built around berma, fermented fish) — earthy, strongly flavoured home-style dishes.
- Chakhwi (a mixed-vegetable and meat stew cooked with berma) and mosdeng (a spicy chutney-like side).
- Bangla-style rice, dal and fish curry — the everyday meal across South Tripura.
- Pithas (rice-flour cakes, sweet or savoury) around festival season.
Vegetarian travellers will find rice, dal and vegetable options easily; ask in advance if you want food cooked without berma.
Budget breakdown
A visit to Pilak is inexpensive once you reach South Tripura, with most of the cost in transport and your base hotel. The table gives a rough per-person estimate for a one-day Pilak add-on from Udaipur or Agartala.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Road travel (shared taxi/bus share) | ₹400–₹1,200 | Return from Udaipur or Agartala; split taxi cheaper |
| Meals | ₹200–₹500 | Local lunch plus snacks/water |
| Museum ticket (Agartala, if included) | Nominal | Reconfirm at counter |
| Guide / local help (optional) | ₹300–₹800 | Informal; agree before you start |
| Day total (excl. hotel) | ₹900–₹2,500 | One person, one day |
Add your room (see the stay table) for an overnight trip. These bands are planning estimates we could not confirm as live tariffs; treat them as a guide and reconfirm fares and tickets before you travel.
Permits, etiquette and rules
No special permit is required for Indian travellers to visit Pilak; Tripura does not have an Inner Line Permit regime of the kind used in some neighbouring states. Foreign nationals should confirm current entry and registration rules with Tripura Tourism, as border districts can have their own checks.
Treat Pilak as both a protected monument and, in places, a living shrine. Keep to paths across the paddy, do not climb on or touch the stupa mounds and carved stone, and remove nothing from the ground. Where images are worshipped, such as the Chunda figure at Muhuripur, dress modestly and follow the lead of local devotees. The 150 m no-construction zone around the protected remains is an ASI rule, not a suggestion.
Practical tips
South Tripura is a rural area, so plan for limited services around Pilak and stock up in Agartala or Udaipur.
- Cash and UPI: carry some cash; ATMs and reliable UPI are easier in towns than at the mounds.
- Network: mobile coverage can be patchy in the fields; download maps offline before you go.
- Health: the nearest hospitals are the district and sub-divisional facilities at Santirbazar and Belonia; carry a basic kit, sun cover and water.
- Walking: wear closed shoes for muddy, uneven field paths, especially after rain.
- Solo women: daytime visits with a local taxi are straightforward; as anywhere rural, plan return travel before dark.
- Packing: light cottons and a hat in the warm months; a light layer for winter mornings; a torch and rain cover in the shoulder season.
Nearby places
Pilak pairs well with South and central Tripura’s temples, carvings and a wildlife sanctuary. The table lists the handiest add-ons.
| Place | Distance from Pilak | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Santirbazar | ~18 km | Nearest sub-divisional town; base, food and buses |
| Mahamuni pagoda, Manubankul (near Sabroom) | South towards Sabroom | Buddhist pagoda; continues the Hindu–Buddhist trail |
| Udaipur | ~51 km | Tripureswari (Matabari) temple, one of the 51 Shaktipiths, and the Bhubaneswari temple |
| Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary | Western South Tripura | Gaur (Indian bison, locally gaba); est. 1988, ~195 sq km |
| Chhabimura | Towards Gomati district | Rock carvings on the cliff along the Gomati river |
For planning a longer loop through the state’s temples, hills and reserves, our Tripura travel guide sets out the main regions and routes.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Pilak located?
Pilak is at Jolaibari in South Tripura district, Tripura, roughly 100 km south of Agartala and about 18 km from Santirbazar. According to the Wikipedia survey of the site, Jolaibari falls in the Santirbazar sub-division, though some tourism sources list the Belonia sub-division; either way it lies in South Tripura, near the Bangladesh border.
What is Pilak famous for?
Pilak is famous for mixed Buddhist and Hindu antiquities of the 8th–12th centuries scattered across paddy fields and mounds. The finds include large stone images of Avalokiteshvara and Narasimha, a standing Buddha slab, Surya and Chunda figures, brick stupas and many terracotta plaques, which historians read as evidence of Hindu–Buddhist coexistence.
How old is the Pilak archaeological site?
Pilak’s antiquities are dated to the 8th to 12th centuries, with the earliest sculptures, plaques and seals from the 8th and 9th centuries, according to the Wikipedia survey of the scholarship. The researcher Ratna Das suggested the site grew into a major Hindu–Buddhist centre from about the 8th century, within the ancient Samatata kingdom.
Who looks after Pilak and where are the sculptures kept?
The Archaeological Survey of India has been the custodian of Pilak since 1999 and maintains the protected mounds. Most of the carved stone, however, is displayed at the Tripura Government Museum in Agartala; a few images remain in village temples as living shrines, such as the Chunda figure worshipped as Raja Rajeshwari at Muhuripur.
How do I reach Pilak from Agartala?
Reach Pilak by road from Agartala, about 100 km south to Jolaibari, by state bus, shared vehicle or hired taxi. The nearest airport is Agartala’s Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (MBB), and Jolaibari has a station (JLBRI) on the Agartala–Sabroom broad-gauge line, so you can also travel partway by train and finish by road.
When is the best time to visit Pilak?
The best time to visit Pilak is October to March, the dry winter season across the Northeast, when days are mild and the field paths between mounds are easier to walk. Avoid the June–September monsoon, when heavy rain leaves the paddy and mounds muddy and slippery, as of October 2026.
Last updated and sources
Pilak suits travellers who enjoy quiet archaeology and temple history over big-ticket sights, best woven into a South Tripura loop with Udaipur and Sabroom. Go between October and March, and confirm museum hours in Agartala before you set out.
Last updated: 23 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Pilak, Tripura” (survey citing Ratna Das 1997, Manas Paul 2010 and others); Incredible India, Pilak (Ministry of Tourism); EastMojo, “1,000-yr-old Tripura archaeological site…” (2023, quoting Tripura Tourism officials and historians Biswadip Nandi and Panna Lal Roy); Outlook Traveller on the Pilak tourism circuit; Buddhistdoor on the Buddhist sculpture; Assam Tribune on the Agartala–Sabroom railway; and Wikipedia / Deccan Herald on Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary. Accessed September 2026.
