Unakoti

 

 

Unakoti hill, literally meaning, one less than a crore in Bengali, hosts an ancient Shaivite place of worship with huge rock reliefs celebrating Shiva and it is said that these many rock cut carvings are available here. It is the prime tourist spot of Unakoti Tripura District in the Kailashahar Subdivision in the North-eastern Indian state of Tripura.

As per Hindu mythology, when Lord Shiva was going to Kashi along with one crore gods and goddesses including him, he made a night halt at this location. He asked all the gods and goddesses to wake up before sun rise and proceed for Kashi. It is said that in the morning, except Shiva himself, no one else could get up so set out for Kashi himself cursing the others to become stone images as a result we have one less than a crore stone images and carvings at Unakoti.

The images found at Unakoti are of two types: namely rock-carved figures and stone images. Among the rock cut carvings are the central Shiva head and gigantic Ganesha . The central Shiva head known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures – one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side.

In addition three enormous images of Nandi Bull are found half buried in the ground. There are various other stone as well as rock cut images at Unakoti.

Every year a big fair popularly known as Ashokastami Mela is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims. Another smaller festival takes place in January.

The site is adopted by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) as a heritage site.

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unakoti

http://tripurainfo.com/ATripura/tourism/places.html

https://www.tripoto.com/trip/9-must-see-places-in-tripura-discover-the-unknown-58ae1cdb1ca36

http://www.indiamike.com/files/images/90/42/51/unakoti-ganesha.jpg

https://www.tripoto.com/trip/unakoti-beautiful-carvings-on-rock-from-ancient-india-56e2fab0e35f3

http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/destination-of-the-week/a-magic-number/

http://unakoti.nic.in/tourism.html

 

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