Ujjayanta Palace, in Agartala, West Tripura district, Tripura, is the city’s centrepiece: the Indo-Saracenic former royal seat of the Manikya kings, built between 1899 and 1901, set in Mughal-style gardens with pools and fountains, floodlit after dark. It served as the Tripura Legislative Assembly until 2011 and since 2013 has held a large state museum of northeast India’s cultures. This guide covers the palace, the museum, timings and fees, how to reach it, where to stay, and what lies nearby.
Ujjayanta Palace is a two-storey Indo-Saracenic palace in central Agartala, the capital of Tripura, built for Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya in 1899–1901 and named by Rabindranath Tagore. Since 25 September 2013 it has housed the Tripura State Museum. The museum opens 10:15 am–5:15 pm and is closed on Mondays.
Key takeaways
- Ujjayanta Palace sits in the heart of Agartala, West Tripura district, Tripura, and is the capital’s most recognisable landmark.
- The Manikya dynasty built it in 1899–1901 under Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya; Rabindranath Tagore gave it the name “Ujjayanta”.
- It housed the Tripura Legislative Assembly until July 2011 and was inaugurated as the Tripura State Museum on 25 September 2013 by Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari.
- Museum entry, as of October 2026, is ₹50 for Indian visitors, ₹100 for Bangladeshi visitors and ₹250 for foreign visitors (Society for Management of State Museum, 2025 notification).
- Museum hours are 10:15 am–5:15 pm, closed Mondays; the palace is floodlit at night with a separately ticketed light-and-sound show.
- The best time to visit is October to March, when Tripura’s weather is dry and cool.
About Ujjayanta Palace: quick facts
Ujjayanta Palace is a former royal palace in central Agartala, now the Tripura State Museum. It was the principal residence of the Manikya kings who ruled Tripura, and today it is the single most-visited monument in the city. The palace stands within a large landscaped compound with ornamental pools and two artificial ponds, and is lit up at night.
The quick facts below are drawn from the official Tripura Tourism and Incredible India listings and from the Society for Management of State Museum. Treat all fees and timings as indicative and reconfirm before you travel.
| Item | Detail (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Agartala, West Tripura district, Tripura |
| Built | 1899–1901, under Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya |
| Named by | Rabindranath Tagore (“Ujjayanta”) |
| Architectural style | Indo-Saracenic (Mughal, Roman and British influences) |
| Current use | Tripura State Museum (since 25 September 2013) |
| Museum hours | 10:15 am–5:15 pm; closed Mondays |
| Indian entry | ₹50 (Society for Management of State Museum, 2025) |
| Nearest airport | Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport, Agartala (IXA) |
| Nearest railway | Agartala Railway Station (AGTL) |
History and the Manikya dynasty, 1899–1901
Ujjayanta Palace was built between 1899 and 1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya, ruler of the princely state of Tripura. According to Tripura Tourism, the palace was constructed by the firm Martin & Burn and the name “Ujjayanta” was given to it by Rabindranath Tagore, a frequent guest of the Manikya court. The Manikya dynasty ruled Tripura for several centuries before the state merged with the Dominion of India in October 1949.
The palace was the Manikyas’ main residence through the first half of the twentieth century. Tagore’s association with the royal house ran deep; Incredible India notes that the poet also wrote about the palace, and the Manikya patronage of Bengali letters is part of why the building carries his chosen name rather than a Sanskritised royal title.
Build facts to know, each attributed:
- Construction period: 1899–1901 (Tripura Tourism, via Wikipedia’s sourced History section).
- Builder/designer: the firm Martin & Burn; Tripura Tourism credits Sir Alexander Martin with the design.
- Reported cost at the time: about ₹10 lakh (historical figure, cited in secondary literature).
- Royal residence until Tripura’s merger with India in October 1949.
Indo-Saracenic architecture and the gardens
Ujjayanta Palace is built in the Indo-Saracenic style, blending Mughal, Roman and British elements, and is best known for its three large domes. The tallest dome rises about 86 feet (26 m) above a central tower, and the two-storey facade is often compared, in official descriptions, to the broad symmetry of Mughal architecture.
Inside, the state rooms include a throne room, a durbar hall (royal audience hall), a library and a reception hall. Incredible India highlights several decorative features: a Chinese room with a tiled ceiling made by Chinese artisans, a Belgian glass ceiling, a throne worked from elephant tusks, and a royal carriage supplied by Martin & Burn. These fittings reflect the cosmopolitan tastes of a court that imported craftsmen and materials from across the world.
The palace sits in Mughal-style gardens laid out with ornamental pools and fountains, flanked by two large artificial ponds. The compound is extensive: Tripura Tourism describes a palace area of roughly one square kilometre, with figures of about 250 acres for the walled compound and larger numbers quoted for the surrounding grounds (sources vary, so treat the acreage as approximate). After sunset the building and its fountains are floodlit, which is when most visitors photograph the facade. For the wider context of visiting the state, see our Tripura travel guide.
From Legislative Assembly to state museum
Ujjayanta Palace served as the home of the Tripura Legislative Assembly until July 2011, after which the Assembly shifted to a new complex a few kilometres north of the city. The Government of Tripura had purchased the palace from the royal family in the early 1970s, and for nearly four decades the state’s lawmaking happened under its domes.
After the Assembly moved out, the palace was retrofitted (including seismic strengthening) and converted into a museum. Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari inaugurated it as the state museum on 25 September 2013. The museum institution itself is older — it was first established on 22 June 1970 — and simply relocated into the palace in 2013. When the government proposed renaming the institution the “Tripura State Museum”, there were protests in favour of keeping the historic name; the “Ujjayanta” name was retained and a statue of Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya was later placed on the grounds. Further restoration work was carried out in 2023.
Inside the Tripura State Museum
The Tripura State Museum fills the palace with the history and material culture of Tripura and the wider northeast. According to the National Informatics Centre, the museum holds about 1,406 displayed objects, including 79 stone sculptures, 141 terracotta plaques, 774 coins, 39 bronze images and 58 oil paintings, arranged across its display galleries. Among the most significant exhibits are sculptures from Pilak in south Tripura, dating from roughly the 9th to 13th centuries.
The collection spans Manikya-dynasty history, the tribal and folk life of the northeast, coins, textiles, weapons, musical instruments and paintings. Thematic galleries added when the museum opened in the palace cover subjects such as an introduction to northeast India, the art and crafts of the region, the lifestyle of northeast India, and Tripura’s role in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, alongside a digital gallery. The museum describes its purpose as protecting and presenting the history, nature and people of northeast India.
| Gallery theme | What you see | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Manikya history & coins | Royal portraits, coins, copper plates, court objects | 30–40 min |
| Stone & terracotta sculpture | Pilak sculptures (9th–13th c.), terracotta plaques | 20–30 min |
| Northeast tribal & folk life | Textiles, ornaments, instruments, daily-life displays | 30 min |
| Thematic NE galleries | Crafts, lifestyle, 1971 war, digital gallery | 30–40 min |
| Palace interiors | Throne room, durbar hall, Chinese room, glass ceiling | 20–30 min |
Allow about two to three hours to see the galleries and the palace rooms at an unhurried pace.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Ujjayanta Palace is October to March, when Tripura’s weather is dry and comfortable for walking the grounds and seeing the night illumination. The monsoon months (roughly June to September) bring heavy rain to the northeast, and April to May can be hot and humid, so the cooler post-monsoon and winter window is easiest for a city visit.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter / post-monsoon | October–March | Dry, cool, clear evenings; best for the gardens and night view |
| Pre-monsoon | April–May | Hot and humid; visit galleries in the morning |
| Monsoon | June–September | Heavy rain; indoor museum visit still works, grounds can be wet |
If you want to catch the floodlit palace and the evening show, any dry-season evening works; carry a light layer for December and January nights.
How to reach Ujjayanta Palace
Ujjayanta Palace is in the centre of Agartala, so reaching it is simply a matter of getting to the city and then a short local hop. Agartala is well connected by air and rail to the rest of India, and the palace sits on the city’s main lake road.
- By air: Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport, Agartala (code IXA), is the nearest airport, lying roughly 12 km northwest of the city centre. It has regular flights to Kolkata, Guwahati and other metros. A taxi from the airport to the palace takes about 25–30 minutes.
- By rail: Agartala Railway Station (AGTL) is the nearest railhead, connected to Guwahati and onward to the national network. From the station it is a short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride to the palace.
- By road / local: Within Agartala, autos, e-rickshaws and app cabs all reach the palace gate. The white Ujjayanta Market, with handicraft and souvenir shops, stands just outside the compound.
| From | Mode | Approx. distance / time (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| MBB Airport (IXA) | Taxi | ~12 km / 25–30 min |
| MBB Airport (IXA) | State (TRTC) bus | ~45 min; low-cost |
| Agartala Railway Station | Auto / taxi | Short city ride |
| Within city centre | Walk / e-rickshaw | Central; a few minutes |
Timings, entry fees and the evening show
The Tripura State Museum at Ujjayanta Palace is open 10:15 am to 5:15 pm and is closed on Mondays, per the official Tripura Tourism and Incredible India listings (as of October 2026; treat as indicative and reconfirm). The 2025 notification of the Society for Management of State Museum, which revised the rates, states that the timings remain unchanged.
Entry fees, from that 2025 notification, are a flat per-person charge by nationality. The palace and fountains are floodlit at night, and a separately ticketed light-and-sound show runs in the evening; a laser show is also offered. Show timings and show-ticket prices change, so confirm them at the ticket counter on the day.
| Ticket | Rate (as of 2025 notification) |
|---|---|
| Museum entry — Indian visitor | ₹50 |
| Museum entry — Bangladeshi visitor | ₹100 |
| Museum entry — foreign visitor | ₹250 |
| Light & Sound Show | Separately ticketed (confirm at counter) |
| Laser Show | Separately ticketed (confirm at counter) |
Tickets are issued at the counter on the grounds. If you want the night illumination and show, plan a late-afternoon museum visit and stay on for the evening.
Where to stay in Agartala
Stay in central Agartala, within a short drive of the palace, where you will find the widest choice of hotels and the government tourist lodge. Because the palace is in the heart of the city, almost any central hotel puts you within 10–20 minutes of the gate.
The bands below are planning estimates for a standard double room and should be reconfirmed when you book (indicative, as of October 2026).
| Category | Indicative tariff / night | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹900–₹1,800 | Guesthouses and basic hotels near the city centre |
| Mid-range | ₹2,000–₹4,500 | Business hotels; the Tripura Tourism lodge is worth checking |
| Upper / premium | ₹5,000+ | Larger hotels and group properties in Agartala |
Book ahead during the Durga Puja and winter travel season, when central rooms fill early. Government-run tourist accommodation can be reserved through Tripura Tourism.
Budget for the visit
A visit to Ujjayanta Palace is inexpensive: museum entry is a flat ₹50 for Indian visitors, and the main costs are your stay, local transport and the optional evening show. The table below is a per-person planning estimate for a one-day Agartala visit built around the palace, assuming a mid-range stay and shared local transport (indicative, as of October 2026).
| Item | Indicative per-person cost |
|---|---|
| Museum entry (Indian) | ₹50 |
| Evening light-and-sound show | Confirm at counter |
| Local transport (autos / cab share) | ₹300–₹600 |
| Meals (two, local) | ₹300–₹700 |
| Mid-range stay (per head, twin-share) | ₹1,000–₹2,300 |
| Indicative day total | ₹1,650–₹3,650 + show |
Costs fall sharply if you stay in a budget guesthouse and use e-rickshaws; they rise if you add the laser show and a premium hotel.
Photography, etiquette and rules
Photography rules differ between the grounds and the galleries, so check the signage and the ticket counter before you shoot. Visitors commonly report that photography of the exterior and gardens is allowed, while photography inside the museum galleries may be restricted or charged; the exact rule is set by the museum authority and can change, so ask on the day rather than assume.
- Treat the galleries as you would any museum: no touching exhibits, keep voices low, and follow staff instructions.
- Do not photograph where signs prohibit it; if a camera or video fee applies, pay it at the counter.
- Dress modestly and remove any items staff ask you to deposit at the entrance.
- The palace is a protected public building and a working museum — carry your ticket and avoid blocking galleries for photos.
- Drone use over a government building and crowded grounds needs permission; do not fly without it.
Nearby places to combine
Ujjayanta Palace pairs easily with Agartala’s temples and with day trips into the surrounding districts. The closest add-on is a temple in the city; the water palace and wildlife sanctuary are half-day drives, and the rock reliefs of Unakoti are a longer excursion. Distances below are approximate and from official or travel listings as noted.
| Place | Approx. distance from Agartala | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Jagannath Temple, Agartala | Central city (short ride) | Orange-hued temple near the palace, easy to combine |
| Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary | ~27–28 km | Spectacled langurs, zoo and botanical garden |
| Neermahal, Melaghar | ~47–53 km (sources vary) | Lake palace of the Manikyas on Rudrasagar Lake |
| Unakoti | ~116 km (indicative) | Ancient rock-cut reliefs and stone images |
For a full itinerary that links these sites across the state, see our guide to travelling in Tripura, which covers routes, seasons and permits.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ujjayanta Palace located?
Ujjayanta Palace is in central Agartala, the capital of Tripura, in West Tripura district, northeast India. It stands on the city’s main lake road within a large landscaped compound and is the most prominent landmark in Agartala, a short ride from both the railway station and MBB Airport.
Who built Ujjayanta Palace and when?
Ujjayanta Palace was built by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya of the Manikya dynasty between 1899 and 1901, in the Indo-Saracenic style. According to Tripura Tourism, it was constructed by the firm Martin & Burn, and the poet Rabindranath Tagore gave it the name “Ujjayanta”. It was the royal residence until Tripura’s merger with India in 1949.
What is the entry fee and timing for the Tripura State Museum at Ujjayanta Palace?
Museum entry, per the 2025 Society for Management of State Museum notification, is ₹50 for Indian visitors, ₹100 for Bangladeshi visitors and ₹250 for foreign visitors. The museum is open 10:15 am to 5:15 pm and closed on Mondays (as of October 2026). The evening light-and-sound and laser shows are ticketed separately; reconfirm before you go.
Is Ujjayanta Palace still the Tripura Legislative Assembly?
No. Ujjayanta Palace housed the Tripura Legislative Assembly until July 2011, when the Assembly moved to a new complex north of Agartala. Since 25 September 2013 the palace has been the Tripura State Museum, inaugurated by Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, and no longer has any legislative function.
How much time do I need, and can I see the palace lit up at night?
Allow two to three hours for the galleries and palace interiors. Yes, the palace and fountains are floodlit after dark, and a separately ticketed light-and-sound show runs in the evening. Plan a late-afternoon museum visit, then stay on for the illumination; confirm the show’s timing at the counter on the day.
What are the best places to visit near Ujjayanta Palace?
Combine Ujjayanta Palace with the Jagannath Temple in central Agartala, then take day trips to Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary (~27–28 km) and the Neermahal lake palace at Melaghar (~47–53 km). The rock-cut images of Unakoti (~116 km) make a longer excursion. Our Tripura travel guide links these into a workable route.
Last updated and sources
Ujjayanta Palace suits anyone interested in royal history, architecture and the cultures of northeast India, and it is the natural first stop in Agartala. Visit between October and March, pair it with the city’s temples, and stay on for the night illumination.
Last updated: 19 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Incredible India – Ujjayanta Palace; Incredible India – Tripura Government Museum; Society for Management of State Museum, revised-rates notification (2025); Ujjayanta Palace (Wikipedia, sourced history citing Tripura Tourism and the National Informatics Centre); Sepahijala district administration. Accessed October 2026.
