The Tripura Sundari Temple, known locally as Matabari, stands on a low hillock at Udaipur in Gomati district, Tripura, about 55 km south of Agartala. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas revered across the subcontinent, and the red-brick shrine draws a steady stream of pilgrims through the year, swelling to a vast gathering each Diwali. This guide covers the temple as a Shakti Peetha, its 1501 architecture, the deities, the Kalyan Sagar tank, timings, how to reach, and what to see nearby.
The Tripura Sundari Temple is a 16th-century Shakta shrine at Udaipur in Gomati district, Tripura, roughly 55 km from Agartala. Built in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya, it is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas and sits on a hillock shaped like a tortoise, giving it the name Kurma Pitha.
Key takeaways
- The Tripura Sundari Temple (Matabari) is at Udaipur in Gomati district, Tripura, about 55 km from Agartala; the nearest airport is Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport at Agartala, and rail now runs to Udaipur station.
- It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where, according to Shakta tradition, the right foot of Sati fell; the presiding Bhairava is named Tripuresh.
- The main shrine was built in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya in the Bengali Ek-ratna style, on a hillock resembling a tortoise’s hump, which gives it the name Kurma Pitha.
- The sacred Kalyan Sagar tank, spread over 6.4 acres on the temple’s eastern side, holds black softshell turtles and fish that devotees feed; fishing and removing turtles is strictly prohibited.
- The best months to visit are October to March; the Diwali Mela is the busiest and, as of October 2026, is described by the Gomati District Administration as drawing well over a million visitors.
- In September 2025 the complex reopened after a redevelopment of over ₹54 crore under the Union government’s PRASHAD scheme.
About the Tripura Sundari Temple and quick facts
The Tripura Sundari Temple is a Shakta pilgrimage site at Udaipur, the former capital of the Tripura kingdom, in Gomati district, Tripura. It sits roughly 55 km by road from Agartala, the state capital. Locally it is called Matabari, meaning the mother’s abode, and the hill it stands on has long been treated as sacred.
The shrine is run by the Mata Tripura Sundari temple trust and remains an active place of daily worship rather than a monument. In September 2025 its surroundings were redeveloped under a central scheme (see below), but the core shrine and its rituals continue unchanged. For wider context on the state, our Tripura travel guide sets out routes, seasons and the main sights.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Udaipur, Gomati district, Tripura |
| Distance from Agartala | About 55 km by road (roughly 1.5 hours) |
| Also known as | Matabari; Kurma Pitha |
| Significance | One of the 51 Shakti Peethas |
| Built | 1501 CE, by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya |
| Architectural style | Bengali Ek-ratna (square shrine on a tortoise-shaped hillock) |
| Nearest airport | Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala (IXA) |
| Nearest railway | Udaipur (Gomati) and Agartala |
| Entry fee | No ticket for darshan (temple trust) |
| Permit | No ILP or RAP needed to visit Tripura |
Why the Tripura Sundari Temple is a Shakti Peetha
The Tripura Sundari Temple is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas because, according to Shakta tradition, the right foot of the goddess Sati is believed to have fallen here. The Wikipedia summary of the Shakta accounts specifies the right foot, including the big toe, and names the presiding Bhairava as Tripuresh. This is religious belief handed down through pilgrimage tradition rather than documented history, and pilgrims treat the hill accordingly.
The Shakti Peetha network is tied to the story of Sati, Daksha’s sacrifice and Shiva’s grief, in which parts of Sati’s body are said to have fallen at places that then became centres of goddess worship. Udaipur’s shrine is one of the eastern sites on that list, which is a large part of why devotees travel long distances to reach it. According to local belief, the goddess here is a form of the Divine Mother worshipped in her Shakta aspect.
The 1501 kurma-shaped architecture, respectfully attributed
The main shrine was built in 1501 CE by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya of Tripura, according to both Tripura Tourism and standard reference accounts. It follows the Bengali Ek-ratna style. Wikipedia describes it as a cubical edifice with a three-tier roof topped by a finial, while Tripura Tourism describes a square sanctum capped by a conical dome; both agree on the square plan and the single-tower form typical of the style.
The temple’s best-known feature is its setting. The shrine stands on a small hillock said to resemble the hump of a tortoise, which gives the site its other name, Kurma Pitha (kurma meaning tortoise). Wikipedia records the base as 24 square feet and the height as 75 feet. The reddish brick and the square hut form are what most visitors remember.
The structure has been repaired more than once. According to heritage accounts, Maharaja Rama Manikya repaired it in 1681 after storm damage, and Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya carried out further work in the early 20th century. In September 2025 the wider complex was redeveloped under a government scheme, but these repairs concern the surroundings and facilities rather than the historic sanctum.
The deities and the Matabari tradition
Inside the sanctum are two stone images worshipped together as the twin mothers of Matabari. The larger idol, about 5 feet tall, is of Tripura Sundari; priests here address the goddess as Soroshi (a sixteen-year-old form), and the image is carved in a reddish-black stone that local tradition calls Kashtipathar. Beside it stands a smaller image, about 2 feet tall, called Chhotima or Chhoto-Ma, meaning the little mother.
Sources describe the smaller image differently. Wikipedia identifies Chhotima with the goddess Chandi, while some heritage accounts describe her as a smaller form of the same goddess. By tradition, the kings of Tripura are said to have carried the Chhotima image with them on hunts and into battle for worship in camp. Both images are venerated side by side, and the word Matabari reflects this maternal devotion.
| Image | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tripura Sundari (Soroshi) | About 5 feet | Main deity; reddish-black stone; worshipped as a sixteen-year-old form |
| Chhotima (Chhoto-Ma) | About 2 feet | The “little mother”; by tradition carried by kings on hunts and campaigns |
Kalyan Sagar lake, its turtles and fish
Kalyan Sagar is a sacred tank on the eastern side of the temple, spread over 6.4 acres, according to the official Tripura Sundari temple page, which gives its length as 224 yards and width as 160 yards. The same source dates the tank to the time of Maharaja Kalyan Manikya (1625–1660 CE). Its still water mirrors the shrine and is part of most visits.
The lake is home to large turtles and fish that devotees feed by hand. The turtles are black softshell turtles (locally called Bostami turtles), a species that Down To Earth reports the IUCN lists as “extinct in the wild,” surviving mainly in temple ponds like this one. Devotees commonly offer muri (puffed rice) and biscuits from stalls near the water.
Fishing and removing turtles from Kalyan Sagar is strictly prohibited, as Down To Earth and temple accounts note; the fish and turtles are treated as sacred and are not to be caught. Conservationists have flagged concerns about concrete embankments reducing nesting areas and about plastic and excess feed in the water, so visitors should feed sparingly and never throw plastic into the tank.
The Diwali Mela
The Diwali Mela at Matabari is the temple’s largest annual gathering, drawing well over a million visitors, according to the Gomati District Administration as reported in October 2025. The Sentinel reported that in 2025 officials expected more than 12 lakh (1.2 million) visitors across the three-day festival, up from 7–8 lakh the previous year, with the rise linked to the recent redevelopment.
The fair is organised jointly by the Trust Mela Committee and the Gomati District Administration, and local press sometimes call it the “Kumbh Mela of the Northeast.” The Tripura Chief Minister typically inaugurates it and performs the Kalyan Aarti on the banks of Kalyan Sagar. On Diwali itself, the Sentinel reported, the temple doors (usually opened at 4 am) close for only five to ten minutes all day. If you want a quiet darshan, avoid the Diwali week.
Best time to visit the Tripura Sundari Temple
The best time to visit is October to March, when Tripura’s weather is cool and dry and travel across the state is comfortable. The monsoon (roughly June to September) brings heavy rain to the Northeast, and the summer months are hot and humid. For a calm darshan, pick a weekday outside the Diwali period; for the full scale of the festival, come at Diwali and expect very large crowds.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | October–February | Cool, dry, comfortable; the best window for a visit |
| Spring | March | Warming up but still pleasant; good for travel |
| Summer | April–May | Hot and humid; carry water and avoid midday |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain, high humidity; roads can be slow |
| Diwali period | Oct/Nov (varies) | Busiest by far; huge Mela, very large crowds |
Darshan timings, dress and photography
Darshan is generally available from early morning to evening, with no ticket for entry, according to the temple trust. As an indicative schedule (as of October 2026, reconfirm with the temple), Incredible India lists summer hours of about 5 am–9 pm and winter hours of about 5:30 am–8:30 pm. Timings shift on festival days; on Diwali, as noted above, the doors stay open almost continuously.
- Dress: Dress modestly, as at any active Hindu temple; cover shoulders and legs, and be prepared to remove footwear before entering the shrine.
- Photography: Treat photography inside the sanctum as restricted unless staff permit it; always ask before photographing rituals or priests. Photography rules can change, so follow the signage and temple staff on the day.
- Worship: This is a living shrine. Keep voices low, join queues, and follow the priests’ directions during aarti.
How to reach the Tripura Sundari Temple
The quickest way is to fly to Agartala and drive about 55 km south to Udaipur. The nearest airport is Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport (IXA) at Agartala, roughly 59 km from Udaipur, with flights to Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi and other cities. From Agartala, the temple is about 1.5 hours by road. Tripura’s rail network has been extended to Udaipur (Gomati) station, and Agartala is a major railhead; from either station it is a short local taxi or auto to Matabari. For state-wide routing, see our Tripura travel guide.
| Mode | Detail | Approx. distance / note |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala (IXA) | ~59 km from Udaipur; nearest airport |
| Rail | Udaipur (Gomati) station; Agartala station | Local taxi/auto to the temple |
| Road | Agartala to Udaipur by taxi/bus | ~55 km; about 1.5 hours |
| Local | Auto/taxi within Udaipur | Temple is a few km from Udaipur town |
Where to stay near Matabari
Most visitors stay either in Udaipur, close to the temple, or in Agartala, which has the widest choice of hotels. Udaipur has a smaller set of lodges, guesthouses and the temple trust’s pilgrim facilities, which suit an early-morning darshan. Agartala works well if you are combining the temple with the capital’s sights and want more mid-range and better-equipped hotels.
- Budget (₹800–₹1,800 per night, indicative, reconfirm): Simple lodges and guesthouses in Udaipur town and around Agartala; basic rooms, fans or coolers.
- Mid-range (₹2,000–₹4,500 per night, indicative, reconfirm): Standard hotels in Agartala with air-conditioning, hot water and restaurants.
- Higher-end (₹5,000+ per night, indicative, reconfirm): A limited number of better hotels in Agartala; book ahead, especially around Diwali.
These ₹ bands are planning estimates (indicative, as of October 2026) and vary sharply with season; rooms in and around Udaipur fill early for the Diwali Mela, so book well ahead if you travel then.
Budget breakdown
A simple two-day pilgrimage from Agartala can be done on a modest budget, since darshan itself is free. The estimate below is a per-person planning figure for a two-day, one-night trip based from Agartala, assuming shared taxi or bus travel and a budget-to-mid room. It excludes your flight or train to Tripura and is indicative only (as of October 2026, reconfirm locally).
| Item | Estimated cost (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (1 night) | 800–2,500 | Budget to mid-range room |
| Local transport (Agartala–Udaipur return) | 400–1,500 | Shared vehicle to private taxi |
| Meals (2 days) | 400–900 | Local eateries |
| Offerings / feeding turtles | 50–200 | Puffed rice, biscuits, puja items |
| Darshan | 0 | No entry ticket |
| Approx. total | 1,650–5,100 | Per person, excludes flight/train to Tripura |
Etiquette, permits and practical tips
No Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to visit Tripura, so Indian travellers can go freely; foreign nationals should check current national rules before travel. Beyond that, the main rules are those of an active shrine and a sacred tank.
- At the tank: Do not fish in or remove turtles from Kalyan Sagar; feeding is allowed but keep it modest and never throw plastic into the water.
- In the shrine: Dress modestly, remove footwear, keep quiet and follow the priests’ directions; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- Connectivity and cash: Agartala has the widest ATM and network coverage; carry some cash for small offerings and stalls, as UPI may not work everywhere near the temple.
- Health: Carry any personal medicines; Udaipur has basic facilities, while Agartala has larger hospitals.
- Solo women: The temple is a busy, family-oriented pilgrimage site; usual precautions apply, and travelling by day is advisable.
- Packing: Light cottons for most of the year, a light layer for winter mornings, rain protection in the monsoon, and comfortable footwear you can slip off easily.
Nearby places
Udaipur and the surrounding area have several sites worth adding to a temple visit. The Bhubaneswari Temple in Udaipur and the royal lake palace of Neermahal are the most popular, and Agartala’s Ujjayanta Palace is an easy addition on the way in or out. Our Tripura travel guide maps these together.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Udaipur town | A few km | The historic former capital, with lakes and temples |
| Bhubaneswari Temple, Udaipur | Near Udaipur town | Riverside royal temple linked to the Manikya dynasty |
| Neermahal, Melaghar | Day trip from Udaipur | Lake palace set in Rudrasagar Lake |
| Agartala | ~55 km | State capital; Ujjayanta Palace and city sights |
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Tripura Sundari Temple located?
The Tripura Sundari Temple is at Udaipur in Gomati district, Tripura, about 55 km south of the state capital, Agartala. It is locally called Matabari. The nearest airport is Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport at Agartala, and the temple is roughly 1.5 hours away by road.
Is the Tripura Sundari Temple a Shakti Peetha?
Yes, the Tripura Sundari Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. According to Shakta tradition, the right foot of the goddess Sati is believed to have fallen here, and the presiding Bhairava is named Tripuresh. This is religious belief carried through pilgrimage tradition rather than documented history.
When was the Tripura Sundari Temple built and by whom?
The Tripura Sundari Temple was built in 1501 CE by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya of Tripura, according to Tripura Tourism and standard reference accounts. It follows the Bengali Ek-ratna style and stands on a tortoise-shaped hillock, which gives it the alternative name Kurma Pitha.
What is the best time to visit the Tripura Sundari Temple?
The best months are October to March, when Tripura is cool and dry. The Diwali Mela is the busiest period by far, drawing well over a million visitors, according to the Gomati District Administration in October 2025. For a quiet darshan, choose a weekday outside the Diwali week.
Why are there turtles in Kalyan Sagar lake, and can you fish there?
Kalyan Sagar, the sacred tank beside the temple, is home to black softshell turtles and fish that devotees feed and treat as sacred. Fishing and removing turtles is strictly prohibited. The species is reported to be “extinct in the wild” by the IUCN, so visitors should feed sparingly and avoid plastic.
Do I need a permit to visit the Tripura Sundari Temple?
No Inner Line Permit or Restricted Area Permit is needed to visit Tripura, so Indian travellers can go freely. There is also no entry ticket for darshan at the temple. Foreign nationals should check current national entry rules for the state before planning their trip.
Last updated and sources
This guide suits pilgrims and travellers heading to the Tripura Sundari Temple as part of a wider Tripura trip; the calm season from October to March is the easiest time, while Diwali offers the fair at its fullest and most crowded. Reconfirm timings, transport and festival dates locally before you travel.
Last updated: 22 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Tripura Tourism (tripuratourism.gov.in); official Mata Tripura Sundari temple page, Government of Tripura (tripurasundari.tripura.gov.in); Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (incredibleindia.gov.in); Wikipedia, “Tripura Sundari Temple” (en.wikipedia.org); The Sentinel, Tripura Diwali festival at Matabari (sentinelassam.com); Gulf News, redeveloped Tripura Sundari temple inaugurated (gulfnews.com); Down To Earth, “Turtles in trouble” (downtoearth.org.in); C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre eco-heritage listing (ecoheritage.cpreec.org). Accessed October 2026.
