In a bid to further facilitate travelers exploring the centuries-old ‘Shaivite rock’ sculptures in the northern part of Tripura, Unakoti, a senior official from the tourism department has revealed plans for the installation of essential amenities.
Unakoti, also called the ‘Angkor Wat of the North-East’ has been shortlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
During a recent meeting, Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury requested the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to establish a cafeteria at Unakoti, catering to the requirements of both tourists and pilgrims, Tapan Kumar Das, Director of Tourism, shared with PTI.
The ASI has also given its assurance to launch the cafeteria by September 15. Additionally, plans are underway to provide safe drinking water and toilet facilities at the site, transforming the current rudimentary arrangements.
Unakoti’s rock carvings, believed to have originated in the 8th-9th century on Raghunandan hills, about 180 km from the state capital Agartala, are under the care of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). These sculptures, characterized by their grandeur and distinctive Mongoloid features, hold a mystical charm akin to the captivating figures of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat temple.
The Director of Tourism said the Tourism department has been working on infrastructure development centring Unakoti archaeological site.
The Union Ministry of Culture has sanctioned a substantial sum of Rs 70 crore for the holistic development of the Unakoti site. In addition to this, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is also expected to sanction a loan of Rs 70 crore to establish tourism-related infrastructure.
A modern accommodation facility is in the works at the Sonamukhi Tea Estate, situated a mere 7-8 km away from Unakoti’s archaeological site. This facility is expected to accommodate around 32 families and will include amenities like a swimming pool, a meditation center, and provisions for adventure sports.
Furthermore, a dedicated parking lot for tourists is also in the pipeline at the Unakoti site, streamlining visitor access and ensuring a seamless experience.
In December last December, Unakoti achieved a milestone by being included in UNESCO’s tentative list of potential World Heritage sites.