Names & Legend
The Goddess of the Tripura Shakti Peeth is known by many names: some call her Para Devata, the supreme deity, others Lalitambha, and most simply Tripura Sundari – “the most beautiful in the three worlds”. She holds a special place in the Shakta tradition of worship.
When Lord Vishnu divided Sati’s body with his Sudarshan Chakra as Lord Shiva carried it in grief, Sati’s right foot (right leg) is believed to have fallen here. The state of Tripura itself is said to take its name from the Goddess.
Location
The temple stands on a small hill at Matabari, a few kilometres from the town of Udaipur in the Gomati district of Tripura, about 55 km from the capital Agartala. It can be reached quickly by train or by air via Agartala.
The Goddess & Bhairava
The Goddess is worshipped as Tripura Sundari (locally Tripureswari), and Lord Shiva as Bhairava is called Tripuresh. The sanctum holds two images: the main five-foot image of the Goddess in reddish-black stone, and a smaller image called Chhoti Ma, which the kings of Tripura once carried with them into battle.
The shrine is also called Kurma Peeth, because the hillock on which it stands is shaped like the back of a tortoise (kurma) – considered the most sacred shape for a temple of the Goddess.
History of the Temple
The temple was built in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya of Tripura. According to legend, the Goddess Tripureswari appeared to the king in a dream and asked him to bring her image from the hills of Chittagong and install it here. When he woke, the king ordered his soldiers to bring the image, and the temple was built to house it – on a site that had been meant for a temple of Lord Vishnu.
In front of the temple is the large Kalyan Sagar lake, home to big fish and turtles that devotees feed; it is believed to bring good fortune. Visitors can also see the small shrine of Mata Adha nearby.
Festivals & Worship
The biggest celebration is the Diwali fair, when more than two lakh devotees gather at Matabari and lamps light up the temple and the lake. Durga Puja and Navaratri are also celebrated with devotion, and the temple has a tradition of animal sacrifice on certain festival days.
How to Reach & When to Visit
Fly to Agartala (Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport) or take a train to Agartala or Udaipur, which is on the Agartala–Sabroom line. Buses and taxis connect Agartala with Udaipur and Matabari. The best time to visit is from October to March, especially during the Diwali fair.