North East destinations in India are a craving for all travel loving souls. Unlike other tourist destinations this part of India is the least explored. I don't know the exact reason behind this but this has helped the seven sister states to retain their indigenous characteristics. There is something special about North East as a sense of placidity hangs in the atmosphere making it irresistible to our peace craving mind.
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| Life must have its sacred moments and its holy places... |
My chance of visiting Agartala came quiet unexpectedly when one of my close friend's marriage got scheduled there. When he invited us to attend his wedding, we obliged instantly. Two of my friends had prior appointments, so much against their wishes they had to give up on the plan. Left with no options Sandipan and I decided to put the plan into immediate effect. Finally, I decided to travel via train, three days before the scheduled date of the marriage and Sandipan decided join me after couple of days along with the groom.
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| Kanchanjungha Express (13173) |
Since I was travelling to North East for the very first time I was very excited from within and the provision of solo travel gave an additional spark to my stimulus. On 1st December, 2022 I boarded Kanchanjungha Express (13173) and left for Agartala. Distance between Sealdah and Agartala is little more than fifteen hundred kilometers. The train departed from Sealdah sharp at 6:35 A.M. Initially, I took a little time to get accustomed to the fellow passengers but once done going was way smoother than I had expected.
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Finally, on 2nd December, 2022 when I reached Agartala it was late in the evening.
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| Agartala Railway Station, Tripura |
Once in Agartala my first priority was finding a suitable accommodation near the city centre. I found Hotel Centre Point near Rupashi Cinema suitable for my purpose. After freshening up I headed for the city centre to relish on the street foods of Agartala. There I tasted mutton haleem for the first time and to describe its taste the word awesome would be an under statement. Travelling through the streets of an unknown place at night in order to acclimatize with the surrounding and tasting local delicacies in the process is one of the highlights of my travel.
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| Boulevard heading to Ujjayanta Palace... |
Next day. i.e., on 3rd December, 2022 I woke up early and visited Ujjayanta Palace. Unfortunately, the palace was closed at that time of the day so I took few pictures from outside and returned to my hotel. After having my breakfast I completed the checkout formalities and headed straight to Hotel Parkline booked by my friend's in-laws. At the hotel lobby I met my friend and the would be groom, Soham. With the charm of the marriage and the glow on his face he was looking more handsome than ever. Finally, we went to our allotted room number 210 to re-unite with Sandipan.
We swiftly had shower and left for lunch which was arranged at the brides place. Our plan was that after lunch Sandipan and I would leave for Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary located thirty kilometers from Agartala. At lunch we received a warm welcome and the introduction procedure took longer than we had expected. So, it was not before 2:30 P.M when we left for the sanctuary.
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| Entrance of Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary |
For those who are planning to visit Sepahijala I would like to share few facts. Firstly, at the main entrance you have to buy tickets for getting into the sanctuary which costs around thirty rupees. Secondly, if you are not travelling by your own vehicle one has to hire auto rickshaws for covering the next five kilometers into the zoo. One auto will cost you rupees four hundred for both ways. Finally, one has to buy tickets separately for getting into the zoo. But I must admit that the zoo is very well maintained.
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| Zoo: An excellent place to study the habits of human beings... |
It was already dark when we left Sepahijala. We were little disappointed as the enclosure for the Clouded Leopard was empty. Nevertheless, we had a memorable experience. When we reached our hotel it was 7:30 P.M. After freshening up we went to Soham's room and insisted him for a night stroll through the streets of Agartala checking street foods in the process. Eating junk food on the eve of the marriage is a risky venture and not at all recommended. Jauntily we discarded all our inhibitions and ate haleem. For dinner Soham took us to a popular Chinese food joint in Agartala. We thoroughly enjoyed our friends final bachelor night.
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| Ujjayanta Palace, Agartala |
Next morning i.e., on 4th December, 2022 Soham got busy with the marriage day rituals. After breakfast Sandipan & I went to the Ujjyanta Palace. Inside the palace, photography was restricted. The palace has been converted into a museum reflecting different cultural heritages of Tripura, its places of interest, historical importance, natural reserves, etc. It took us around one and half hour to cover the entire museum. After having lunch at the bride's place we returned to our hotel and settled for a quick nap. The marriage was being celebrated in great grandeur and we enjoyed every bit of it as our beloved friend turned over a new leaf in his life.
That night after returning to hotel Sandipan and I conversed late into the night reflecting on our childhood, fun games, travelling and now that each one of us is standing on the verge of a new phase of our respective lives. The road to this transformation was filled with fun and lots of adventure strengthening our friendship thread by thread. Finally, reality struck us hard at 3 am. Sandipan realised he was about to catch an early morning flight back to Kolkata. Thereafter we went silent.
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| Childhood friendship is the most beautiful memory that can't ever be replaced... |
Next day, i.e., on 5th December, 2022 we had an early breakfast at the hotel lobby. Sandipan along with half of the team left for Kolkata while I along with the remaining half and the newly married couple were scheduled to depart at night. I decided to utilize the available time by visiting Agartala Iskcon Mandir, Fourteen Gods' and Goddesses' temple and Jagannath Bari. I started at around 10:30 am and it took me little more than three and half hours to complete the entire package.
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| Iskcon Temple, Agartala |
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| Fourteen Gods' and Goddesses Temple, Agartala |
For those who love to travel it will be my earnest request to them to go for a solo trip at least once in their lifetime. There is a beauty in enjoying places all by yourself as you will notice a pure adrenaline rush in each and every point of the trip. Whatever the experience is whether - good or bad, you will have no regret and will rediscover yourself in the process. Yes, there is a charm in living life all by and for yourself. Only if one can appreciate it.
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| As you travel solo, being totally responsible for yourself, it's inevitable that you will discover just how capable you are! |
My trip to Agartala was a roller coaster ride as I have gathered an experience of solo travelling and had the privilege of being a part of my friend's wedding. We boarded the evening flight from Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport and it took us little more than forty five minutes to reach Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
(Picture Courtesy: Sandipan Mondal & Kingshuk Mukherjee)
