Tripura: The least travelled state in India

Tripura is a state in North East India which is the third smallest state in the country and also the least explored state in the whole country. Tripura is one of three Indian states ruled by Communists, making their presence felt with murals and flags in many places.

The reason why Tripura is one of the least travelled states is primarily because the state like the rest of the North Eastern states is pictured in the media as relatively unsafe with political clashes being the primary focus of the conflict. But in all reality that might have been the case back in the late 90’s or early 2000’s but since the dawn of the internet things have changed for the better in Tripura.

The National Liberation Front of Tripura and the All Tripura Tiger Force, which wants Tripura to secede from India are the two rebel tribal groups which operate in the state. There have been no known accounts of any violence against tourists in the state, nor any indication that tourists would be a target of violent groups.

If you travel to Tripura, you’ll understand on arrival that the place is safe, there isn’t anything to worry about when you’re travelling to this so-called volatile place. The internet is very good and you’ll find network connections all over the state. Directly on entry, you will find that the vibe in Tripura is just like any other state in India, there isn’t anything

Getting to Tripura isn’t difficult. There is a fully functional airport in Agartala (IXA) with flights from all major cities flying directly or via Guwahati. Tripura also has a well connected railway station which is very well connected to the rest of the country and neighbouring states. There are daily and weekly trains which run to Kolkata, New Delhi, Assam. Taking a bus from the neighbouring state of Assam or Kolkata is another way of getting to Argatala in Tripura. 

When it comes to getting around the state. Taking the local train or bus is the most economical way to get around the state. There are local buses which ply between districts and move all day long. Likewise the trains are a much more convenient way of moving around Tripura. Taking public transportation is one of the best ways to meet locals and get an in-depth understanding of what the daily life of the people in Tripura is. 

Private taxis and auto rickshaws can be found all over the state capital of Agartala but only hire one if you’re in a group or four or more if you’re travelling solo, then taking public transportation is the best way to cover the state. 

The main language spoken in the state is Bengali. The largest language of the tribal population is Kok Borok which is spoken by 30% of the population. Other languages include Manipuri, Chakma. Hindi is very rarely spoken by the locals in the state, but is understood by nearly everyone. 

Sightseeing or tourist spots in the state are in plenty considering the size of the state but none are famous beyond the North East. So much so, that very few people from Tripura also have seen everything that is there in their own state. Unakoti, Kailasahar is arguably the best known site in Tripura. It’s a must visit if you are in the state. Other attractions in the state include the royal palaces and temples. 

Udaipur is a lake city in Tripura which is worth visiting too. This city is located roughly 60 kms from the capital city of Argatala. Make sure you travel to Udaipur but make it a day trip since accommodation beyond Agartala is grim and not the best. 

When it comes to accommodation, Agartala is the hub. There are numerous options and is the best place to stay. You’ll find numerous options from budget guest houses to proper hotels located in the city centre. Accommodation costs anywhere between ₹1000-₹3000 per night. Most of the hotels are built to accommodate business travellers who come in from neighbouring Bangladesh or from Kolkata. 

For a place where travel is very limited, the state of Tripura has arguably the best food in all of North East India. The food served here is very much in line with how it’s prepared in mainland India. The reason being that most have worked in either Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata and have returned back home to start their own food service. Swiggy AND Zomato also work very well in the capital city of Argatala. 

ATMs in Tripura

can be found all over the state. Most places will accept payments online so you don’t need to really worry about carrying a lot of cash and roaming around. Make sure you end up travelling with cash in small denominations since the standard of living is very low and having ₹500 AND ₹2000 will be easy to carry but while wandering around you’ll find it very hard to get change since nearly everything costs anywhere between ₹10 to ₹80. 

The best time to visit Tripura is during the dry season from October to May with the winter months of November to February being the most ideal time to travel around the state. If you’re planning a trip to Tripura, make sure you plan for at least 3N/4D since it’s safe to say it’s better to cover everything in one visit rather than having to come back later which will never happen. Don’t plan for a longer trip since everything can be easily covered in the above mentioned duration.