Unakoti : India’s own Ankor Wat
During these turbulent times of coronavirus pandemic, international travel plans are entirely on hold for most of us. Most countries are focusing on domestic tourists for resuming their economy. This series focuses on remote destinations within India, that not many of us know about. Luckily we are blessed with a country with varying geographies, cultures and climates. Let us take these few years as an opportunity to explore such hidden gems within our country.
If I was to tell you that there is a place in our country which boasts of 99,99,999 statues of gods and goddesses what do you think will be the location? Somewhere in the religious belt of the north ( Uttarakhand near Kedarnath) or down south (near Tirupati perhaps). Where else can you find so many sculptors insane enough to carve out 99,99,999 statues of pure rock?
Surprisingly this place lies in TRIPURA, in the far east. I know, Tripura isn’t the name that comes in mind when you think of Shiva or let alone 99,99,999 statues of gods and goddesses. But right in the heart of Tripura, lies a sleepy town named Unakoti which is home to a temple complex built in such an exquisite manner that not a single niche or a statue would be the same as the next one.
Move aside Cambodia, we have our own Angkor Wat
Local tales about the creator : there are three folk/mythological tales about Unakoti. So based on your imagination you can chose to believe either of them
Story One : The Wrath of Lord Shiva
1,00,00,000 Gods and Goddesses including God Shiva were travelling to Kashi. It was late at night when they decided to take a halt at Unakoti. Lord Shiv told everyone to wake up early so that they could resume the journey. When he woke up early morning, he realised everyone was still asleep. In anger he turned everyone to stone. Hence the place has 99,99,999 statues of Gods and Goddesses.
Story Two : Ego of Kalu Kumbhar
A local sculptor named Kalu Kumbhar had a dream one night. He dreamt that if he was to sculpt 1 Crore (1 koti) statues of gods in a night, his village will be as revered as Kashi (a religious site in India). When he started sculpting, he decided that he would sculpt the last statue of himself. His vision was to depict art and the artist on the same canvas. But when he finally finished, the gods rejected the last statue since it was a product of his ego. Due to this, the place didn’t receive Kashi’s religious status.
Story Three : Devotion of Kalu Kumbhar
Kalu Kumbhar was a devotee of Goddess Parvati. He prayed and begged her to let him accompany Shiv and Parvati on their journey to Mount Kailash. She decided to seek Lord Shiva’s advice on this. He told Kalu Kumbhar that if he sculpts 1 crore statues of gods in one night, he can accompany them on their journey. Kalu worked tirelessly all night but he could only complete 99,99,999 statues before dawn. Since he could not fulfil Lord Shiva’s wishes, he was left behind. But the place turned into a revered Shaivite pilgrimage site.
Five fascinating facts about Unakoti
- The word Unakoti literally means one less than a koti (koti means 1,00,00,000) in Bengali. Hence it signifies that it houses 99,99,999 statues of Lord Shiva.
- Other than the statues and ruins there is a waterfall and several rivulets within the temple complex that add to the mystical charisma of this hidden hill
- The exact date of construction isn’t known but archeologists have dated the statues back from 600 – 700 AD. It used to be an old pilgrimage site for the shiva worshippers
- Archaeological Survey of India hasn’t managed to excavate all the statues. So technically you can’t go around counting them to ensure that the number 99,99,999 is correct.
- Two festivals happen near nearby : Ashokastmi Mela in April and another festival in Jan. I would suggest avoid visiting the hill on these dates if you want to witness the true magic of this place. Otherwise if you enjoy crowded melas then go ahead.
How to get there?
- Nearest Airport. : Agartala
- Nearest Railway Station : Kumarghat
Please refer to the link below for detailed travel routes and tentative ticket prices
If you feel like watching a fun video about Unakoti then click on the link below & enjoy.