Our trip to Tripura in the balmy days of April 2023 showed us a surprising glimpse of the cultural richness and natural splendor that the Northeast India has to offer. Agartala, the capital of the state, served as our springboard for a riveting day trip to Chobimura, a hidden valley nestled along the Gomti river. This secluded enclave is renowned for its exceptional relief carvings that adorn the cliffside—an artistic marvel affectionately known as Devtamura, or the hill of the gods. Boat ride through the pristine river We embarked on a motorboat journey offered by a unique self-help group. Comprising former insurgents who had transitioned from conflict to becoming custodians…

The way to Unakoti We had planned to visit the Unakoti rock carvings as the first destination in Tripura. The rock carvings are located about 180 km from Agartala, where we stayed. We started from Agartala at about 7 AM as we wanted to be back before sundown. Once we left Agartala, there was a short stretch of state highways before the road rapidly ascended into a hilly section. The two-lane road gradually became a 4-lane well-paved highway but still traversed across the hills. The weather was overcast and the greenery in the hills made for some breathtaking views. Options for food stops on the way to Unakoti are extremely…