Tripura: PM Modi inaugurates renovated five-century old Tripura Sundari temple 

Agartala: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped Mata Tripura Sundari Temple complex at Udaipur in Tripura’s Gomati district on Monday.

The 524-year-old temple, built in 1501 AD by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and holds immense spiritual importance. The redevelopment has been carried out under the PRASHAD scheme at a cost of about Rs 52 crore, with the Tripura government contributing an additional Rs 7 crore.

The temple complex has been expanded into a three-storey structure.

The ground floor now features lobbies, eighty-six stalls, multipurpose halls and a Prasad ghar.

The first floor has dormitories and residential areas for volunteers and monks, while the top floor houses the main worship area or Naatmandir.

Five new water bodies have been developed within the premises, and ramps and lifts have been added to ensure accessibility for differently-abled devotees.

On his arrival, the Prime Minister was welcomed with traditional cultural performances. He offered prayers to Goddess Tripura Sundari and also visited other sections of the redeveloped complex, accompanied by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu and several dignitaries.

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The temple is revered for two deities – the five-foot idol of Goddess Tripura Sundari and a smaller idol of Goddess Chandi, popularly known as Chhoti Ma. Historical accounts say the Tripura kings carried the idol of Chhoti Ma with them during wars and hunting expeditions for divine protection.

Architecturally, the temple is built in the shape of a tortoise hump, known as Kurmap???h?k?ti, which is considered auspicious for Shakti temples.

Legend says Maharaja Dhanya Manikya was instructed in a dream to build the shrine. The temple has not only shaped Tripura’s spiritual identity but has also given the state its very name.

Alongside the redevelopment, a 51-Shakti Peethas Park is also being constructed at Banduar, a few km away, with a budget of nearly Rs 98 crore.

The project aims to recreate all 51 Shakti Peethas in one place to boost religious tourism. The inauguration of the redeveloped Tripura Sundari temple, just ahead of Navratri, has added special significance to the occasion and is expected to strengthen the state’s position as a major pilgrimage centre in eastern India.

The Prime Minister visited the new infrastructure and inspected the new facilities himself.

He was briefed by Tripura PWD Secretary Kiran Gitte and OSD to Tripura Sundari temple Bhaskar Dasgupta.