Tripura is my home…the place close to my heart and soul has unique destinations to be explored. Yet very few people from outside world know about this place! I have travelled to various places within the country (India); when people ask me “where are you from?”, I say, “from Tripura” and I get a confused look…I know they can’t even identify where “Tripura” is located!

This December I was thinking of going for a solo short trip to a place in Tripura where I haven’t been before! I wanted myself to be filled with energy! I was tired of mundane life! Home to Office…Office to home…I was exhausted! So on Saturday, I woke up and after doing household chores, I went to Nagerjala Bus-stand. My first choice was to visit Buddha Mandir at Ailmara, Silachari. I went to Ailmara many years back, that time the temple was under construction. Sadly, I was late for the bus. As I had planned to do a day trip, I should have taken the first bus which leaves at 5.30am and could return back in the afternoon/evening. I kept on thinking about Plan B. I hopped on a Sabroom bus to visit Mahamuni Buddha Mandir in Manu Bankul!

Check out Mahamuni Buddha Mandir vlog on my Youtube channel!

Mahamuni Pagoda/Mahamuni Buddha Mandir is located at Manu Bankul, Sabroom in South Tripura (around 134 km from the capital city Agartala). If you come by bus from Nagerjala (fare is Rs.150), you have to get down at Satchand Block Chowmuhani area (it takes around 2 and half hours to reach Satchand Block Chowmuhani area) and get on an autorickshaw (Rs.40/- per person). Sometimes you have to wait for long if other passengers do not show up, else you can reserve the autorickshaw to reach the temple. Direct bus service from Nagerjala to Manu Bankul is also there. Other option is to hire private vehicle from Agartala (or your location) (Fare ranges between Rs. 2000-2500). Direct bus from Agartala to Sabroom doesn’t stop much on the way, so it would take almost same time as the private vehicle. The road from Satchand Block Chowmuhani area to the temple is little bit bumpy, so be prepared! If you want to come by train, you have to go to Sabroom and from there you have to come to Bankul which is not recommended.

On the way to the temple, I crossed Sinduk Pathar Market; it’s a small rural market in Satchand Block. Usually tribal people sell the products here. If you come early (before 12 noon), you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables at reasonable price. I learnt that local tribal people love to eat “Chichiri” – a leafy vegetable.

Now coming to the population, as per Census 2011 Satchand Block of South Tripura has population of 87,355 and approximately one third of the total population belongs to Scheduled Tribe. In Manu Bankul, Mog is the prominent tribe. The culture and traditions of Mogs are quite similar to Burmese culture. Hence when you reach Mahamuni Buddha Mandir, you can see influence of Burmese architecture. Mog tribes are primarily concentrated in Sabroom and Belonia of South Tripura. They belong mostly to Buddhist religion and language is related to Assam-Burmese. During the course of time, people belonging to Mog tribe fled their home region – Chittagong of Bangladesh and settled in southern part of Tripura. Wah Festival is the biggest festival of Mog tribe (annual meeting of whole community people) held in October-November. Now at state Government level each year, Wah Festival is held. Location is announced by the Government (In 2024 Wah Festival will be held in Chalita Bankul BB High School of Rupaichari Block on November 10-11. In 2023 this festival was held in Gandachhera on October 17-18)

Mahamuni Budhha Mandir attracts Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from far off countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, Sri Lanka and our neighbor Bangladesh. Nobel laureate and Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama visited this temple when He came for a two-day visit in Tripura in 2007 to inaugurate the fifth anniversary celebrations of Bankul Dharmadwipa High School.

Golden Pagoda is the main attraction of this temple. When I went there, construction and renovation of the temple complex was going on. Surrounded by paddy fields, lush green nature, Mahamuni Buddha Mandir will let you calm down spiritually and pause to think deeply. After walking around the temple complex and listening to the prayer, I went for a walk through the palm tree lane. One vehicle all of a sudden went upside down (no one was injured), everyone rushed to help the vehicle owner. There are few food stalls near the temple, I ate eggroll. After spending some more time, it was time to return back with a wonderful memory! Sometimes, unplanned trips leave a deep impact in our heart!


MITA

Hello world! I am Sumita Sen. Writing is my passion, travelling is my love, food is my life, fashion is my soul.....n day dreaming is my hobby Follow The Pink

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