Photo Courtesy: nenews
Agartala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Mata Tripura Sundari Temple complex in Udaipur, Gomati district, on September 22, 2025. The ceremony coincided with the first day of Navaratri. This ancient shrine, known as Matabari, sits on a hill shaped like a tortoise. Locals call it Kurma Pith, the tortoise seat. The site is a significant Shakti Peetha where tradition holds that a part of Goddess Sati’s right foot fell.
Maharaja Dhanya Manikya of the Manikya dynasty founded the temple in 1501 CE. The sanctum houses two black-stone images: the principal Goddess Tripura Sundari and the smaller Chhoto-Ma. Beside the temple lies Kalyan Sagar, a lake mirroring the shrine’s red exterior and traditional Bengal-style roof architecture.
The Government of India’s PRASAD scheme, in collaboration with the Government of Tripura, funded the project. Total investment reached between ₹52 crore and ₹54 crore. Work included new pathways, improved entrances, boundary fencing, drainage, and circulation systems. A three-storey building now houses a meditation hall, guest rooms, commercial stalls, and administrative offices.
Officials designed these changes to balance modernization with the site’s 524-year history. The redevelopment aims to boost spiritual tourism, support local artisans, and create hospitality jobs. Despite the fresh construction, the core of the shrine remains rooted in ancient devotion. Pilgrims continue to recite, "Om Tripura Sundaryai Vidmahe, Kameshwaryai Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat."
The project signals a shift in focus toward the Northeast. It marks the region as a central hub of Indian heritage rather than a peripheral one. As the sun sets over the lake, the site remains a blend of royal history and deep-seated folk memory.
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