Tripura trip -Day 2-Neer Mahal: A Royal Retreat on Water
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Tripura trip – Day 2:
Neer Mahal: A Royal Retreat on Water
Day two began with a delicious breakfast at the Circuit House in Udaipur.
We started our journey around 8:00 AM, heading towards Neer Mahal in the Sepahijala district.
On the way, we passed the Udaipur railway station, which is renowned for its mesmerizing architecture and is truly one of the most beautiful railway stations.
We reached the Rajghat ferry around 9:00 AM. The tourist boat service was scheduled to start at 10:00 AM, but we decided not to wait.
Instead, Apoorva spotted Sanjit Burman, a local country boatman, and we set off on a traditional country boat.
The trip was awe-inspiring.
The climate was misty, and initially, we couldn’t see anything on the lake.
As we glided slowly through the water, a shadowy image began to emerge.
Gradually, the sight became clearer, and what initially appeared to be a cut-out of a palace transformed into a majestic structure.
As we approached, it looked like a fort, but upon landing on the island, we realized it was a palatial marvel – one of the wonders of East India.
This accidental boat ride turned out to be a rare and memorable experience.
Neer Mahal, also known as the Water Palace, is a former royal palace built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur in the 1930s.
It is the largest water palace in Eastern India, second only to the Jal Mahal in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
Situated in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake, Neer Mahal served as the summer residence of the royal family.
In 1930, the King commissioned the British company Martin and Burns to construct this architectural gem, which blends Hindu and Mughal styles.
The extensive use of marble and sandstone, coupled with its profusion of balconies, towers, pavilions, and bridges, makes the palace a standout structure.
The dome-shaped minarets give it a fort-like appearance.
The construction was completed in 1938 at a cost of 10 lakhs.
The palace is divided into two sections:
Andar Mahal: The western section, Andar Mahal was exclusively used by the royal family.
The Eastern Section is an open-air theatre where cultural events such as dance and drama were held.
Neer Mahal has 24 rooms, including visitor rooms, bedrooms, dining halls, a dancing hall, an amusement room, a durbar hall, watchtowers, a guard room, a generator room, and a kitchen.
Two stairways lead down to the water, where the Raja and Rani would arrive from the mainland.
The palace also boasts one of the most beautiful terrace gardens in India.
A light and sound show on the history of Tripura has recently been started.
Today, hundreds of people reside around Rudrasagar Lake.
Local communities have been granted space for fish farming.
However, fish theft is common, so families often post a member to stay overnight in small sheds above the water to deter robbers.
The farmers also cultivate water plant chichiri, as it is a popular vegetable used in various dishes
Our visit to Neer Mahal was deeply satisfying, leaving us with memories to cherish forever.
Our journey continues to the Gomti River, the lifeline of Tripura, which supports drinking water, irrigation, and tourism.
Stay tuned for an exciting journey on the Gomti River!
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