Unakoti is an ancient
Shaivite pilgrimage center in
North Tripura District of
Tripura. Dating back to 7th - 9th centuries, Unakoti is noted for its marvelous rock carvings, murals and waterfalls.
Unakoti literally means 'one less than a crore'. According to legends, once Lord Shiva, along with one crore gods and goddesses, on his way to Kashi halted a night at Unakoti. Lord Shiva asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise to proceed for Kashi. But all except Lord Shiva did not wake up. Infuriated, Lord Shiva cursed others to become stone images and as a result here exist one less than a crore stone images and carvings. These images and carvings are located amid beautifully landscaped forest.
The images found here are of two types: rock-carved figures and stone images. The most popular among the rock cut figures are the gigantic image of Lord Ganesh and the central Shiva head known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava, which is about 30 ft high. Two full-size female figures, one of Goddess Durga, can be seen on the either side of Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava. Besides, there are three enormous images of Nandi found half buried in the ground.
A major draw is Ashokastami Mela, which is held here annually during April.
Unakoti is located about 178 km from Agartala. The place can be reached from Kailashahar, 8 km away.
