South Tripura district General information
South Tripura is an administrative district in the state of Tripura in India. The district headquarters are located at Udaipur. The district occupies an area of 2152 km² and has a population of 762,565 (as of 2001). It is around 60 km from the state capital, Agartala. Udaipur is famous for the historic Matabari Temple. Also known as the city of lakes, it is an avid tourist destination. South Tripura District has five sub divisions (Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia, Sabroom and Santirbazar). Tirthmukh another pilgrimage centre is also located in this district in Amarpur Sub Division.
HISTORY
The South Tripura District with its headquarter at Udaipur was created in 1970. Udaipur is popularly known as the city of lakes and was the capital of Tripura till 1760 A.D. The city is famous for its Mata Tripura Sundari Temple which is situated about 3 km away from Udaipur at Matabari. The temple is one of the 51 Mahapithasthans of India. The legend is that toe of the right foot of Mata Sati fell, as a result of the cutting of the body of Mata Sati into pieces by Sudarsan Chakra of Lord Vishnu .
LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY
The State of Tripura lies approximately between the lattitudes 22 degrees 56 minutes, and 24 degrees 32 minutes North and between longitudes 91 degrees 0 minutes and 92 degrees 22 minutes East. South Tripura District is situated approximately between East longitude 91 degrees 18 minutes and 91 degrees 59 minutes and between North lattitude 22 degres 56 minutes and 23 degrees 45 minutes. The South Tripura District is bounded on the North by Dhalai district and West Tripura District, while on the other sides by international border with Bangladesh. The total geographical area of South Tripura District is 2624 Sq.km which is about 25% of the total state area.
CLIMATE
The climate of the District is mostly warm and is characterized by a humid summer and a dry cool winter with plenty of rains during July to October. Rainfall is received from the South -West Monsoon, which normally breaks in the month of May. Hailstorm generally occurs during the month of April & May, occasionally causing damage to the field crops. Autumn and Spring are of very short duration. Average annual rainfall in the district is about 2000 mm and the temperature varies between a maximum of 35.23° and a minimum of 7.43° Celsius. The variation in temperature is much lower during the rains than during any other season.
HILL RANGES
There are 3(three) principal hill ranges in South Tripura District. The South Baramura and Deotamura hill ranges are completely in South District while a part of Atharamura hill range also comes in the District. Deotamura is the principal hill range of South Tripura District having a length of 85 Km. and forms the boundary between Amarpur and Udaipur SubDivision.
RIVERS
The principal rivers flowing through the district are, Gumti, Muhuri and Feni. The river Gumti originates from the range connecting the Longtharai and Atharamura. At its source, two rivulates, namely, Kalyansing and Malyansing meet, thereafter it takes the name of Raimacherra till it meets the Sharmacherra. Later it assumes the name Gumti. The River Gumti which is about 135 km. Long runs across the sub-divisions Gandacherra, now under Dhalai District, Amarpur and Udaipur under South Tripura District and Sonamura Sub-Division of West Tripura District. The river Muhuri has its source in the Deotamura range. It is more than 64 km. long and has a catchment area of 1014 sq.km. and it flows westwards through hillocks and plains of Belonia sub-division till it enters Bangladesh.
At the source of river Feni, there are three streams known as the Asslang, the Rangafeni and Taindung, of which the Asslang is the principal channel. The river Feni forms the natural boundary between the South Tripura District and Bangladesh.
People
About 37.5% of the population in South Tripura Disrtrict is scheduled tribe and 17.16% of the population is scheduled caste. Major tribes in the district are: Tripuri, Jamatia, Reang, Chakma and Halam. The tribals as well as the non-tribals residing in the District have a socio-cultural similarity with the tribals and non-tribals of Bangladesh. Language spoken by majority of the population is Bengali while the tribals mainly speak Kakborak.
Economy
Agriculture is the main occupation. However, only 31.61% of the land in the district is cultivable. The holdings are small, and agriculture is mainly rainfed and at subsistence level. The State Government has set before itself a target of attaining self-sufficiency in food production by 2010 A.D. As a result of this, a number of activities are undertaken these days to bring more land under cultivation, make them irrigable and increase the productivity. A large population however is daily labourer, which depends on the employment generation schemes of the Government. As a result of weak economic base and lack of industrial development and entrepreneurship, dependency on the Government is very high.
An analysis of occupational structure in the District shows that about 12.6% are cultivators, 8-9% are agricultural labourers and 1.61% are dependent on trade and commerce. The non-working population is about 68% which is an indication of the weak economic base and under-development. About 72% of the rural population are living below poverty line.
Paddy is the main food crop grown. Potato, sugarcane, mesta, jute, mustard, etc. are some other crops grown in the district. Tea, coffee, rubber, jackfruit, banana, mango, pineapple, etc. are the major plantation crops.
Places of intrerest
TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE
The temple is situated about 3 Km away from Udaipur town on the Agartala- Sabroom road. The temple was constructed in the year 1501 A.D. during the period of Maharaja Dhanyamanikya. It is one of the 51 Maha Pithasthans of India. As per mythological saying, toe of the right foot of Mata Sati fell at this place. It is one of the most important tourist spots of the State where hundreds of pilgrims visit every day. During Dewali, a big dewali mela is organised in the Mata Tripura Sundari Temple premises where lakhs of people offer puja. According to Rajmala, this temple was constructed for establishing the idol of Lord Bishnu. But one night Maha Maya came into the dreams of Maharaja Dhanyamanikya and asked him to shift her idol from Chittagong, now in Bangladesh, to this place and accordingly Mata Tripura Sundari was established in this temple. The temple administration is run in the name of Revenue Department of the State .
BHUVANESWARI TEMPLE
The temple is situated on the northern bank of Gumati. The temple was built in between 1667 to 1676 A.D., during the reign of Maharaja Govinda Manikya. The temple is constructed on a 3 feet high paved terrace. The roof features the typical four-chaala pattern with stupa like crowns on the vestibule and core chambers. The stupa on core chamber is embellished with floral designs. The historical significance of this temple is that it is the back-drop of the famous novel "Rajarshi" and the drama "Bisarjan" composed by Rabindranath Tagore.
SHIB BARI
The temple is situated at Udaipur town. According to the Pithamala, it is the abode of "Tripuresh Bhairav". The phallic symbol of Shiva inside the temple is still being worshipped. The temple was constructed by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya. The door of the temple faces the west. Though the Tripureswari temple was first to come up, both were contemporary. The temple was repaired in 1651 A.D. by Maharaja Kalyan Manikya. The present temple was renovated by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya.
TIN MANDIR
This temple is situated by the east bank of Jagannath Dighi. Detailed information about the temple is not available, though it seems the temple had stone-inscriptions. Perhaps it was built some time in the last quarter of the 17th century.
DEBATAMURA
Debtamura is approximately 35 KM away from Udaipur, it is situated in Amarpur Sub-Division. Debtamura means God's peak and it is a fall range between Udaipur and Amarpur Sub-Division running along the Gumti river. The place is famous for images of Lord Shiv, Goddess Durga and other Goddesses. These beautiful images are carved with a lot of dexterity on the rocky faces of Debtamura which is steep as 90 degrees. The hill ranges are covered with thick jungles and one can reach this abode of gods only after trekking through these jungles.
PILLAK
The place is about 55 Kms away from Udaipur. It is situated in Belonia Sub-Division. Pillak has become important from the historical point of view as many old stone images have been found in this area. The mound still found at Pillak, if excavated, may unearth many more images to help reconstruct the religion of this ancient place.
TIRTHAMUKH
It is situated about 62 Km. away from the district head quarter. The place is famous for its serene beauty and tranquillity. The famous Dumbur Hydel Project is situated here which is the main source of power for South Tripura District. Two rivers Raima and Sarma which originate in the present Dhalai district merge here and the famous GUMTI river originates from this Dumbur reservoir at Theerthamukh. The Dumbur Reservoir is also famous for attracting a large number of birds from different parts of the world. Every year, on the day of Pous Sankranti, the famous Thirthamukh Mela is organised where a large number of people from all over the state and neighbouring states visit. A large number of devotees visit the mela and take dip in the holy water of river Gumti and also do "Pind dan" rituals for the peace of souls of their forefathers. It has got special significance among the tribals. Elaborate arrangements by the various departments of State Government and district administration are made for organising the mela.
TRISHNA WILD LIFE SANCTUARY
It is situated approximately 60 Km away from the district headquarter along Bangladesh border and in the western part of Belonia Sub-Division. It is famous for dwelling place of Bison and migrating birds from Siberia and other places in winter.
DEER PARK AND PATICHARI
It is situated at Patichari on the Udaipur-Sabroom main road and is famous for the abode of spotted deer (Chital) and Barking deer (Khatta Harin).