Unakoti
ঊনকোটি
Giant Shiva heads and deity carvings from the 7th to 9th centuries, deep in the mountains; Tripura's most representative ancient site, best visited as a long day trip.
Unakoti lies near Kailashahar in northern Tripura, about 170 kilometres by road from Agartala. It was a Shaivite pilgrimage site between the 7th and 9th centuries. On the cliffs of a forested valley is carved a roughly 10-metre-high Shiva head known as 'Unakoteswara Kala Bhairava,' along with many other stone sculptures, including Durga and the elephant-headed Ganesha. Legend says there are one short of ten million images.
The site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and has been nominated for World Heritage status.
The journey is long. It is advisable to hire a car early in the morning for a same-day round trip, or to spend a night in Kailashahar.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Chaturdasha Devata Temple
- Chabimura
- Heritage Park Agartala
- Ujjayanta Palace
- Jagannath Bari Temple
- Agartala–Akhaura Border Retreat Ceremony
- Tripura Sundari Temple
- Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary