Tripura CM Dr. Manik Saha lays the foundation for a Rs 97.70 crore 51-Shakti Pithas Park at Banduar to boost spiritual tourism. Featuring replicas of all 51 holy sites, the world’s largest Nataraja statue, and a glass skywalk, this project aims to put Tripura on the global pilgrimage map.
In a step toward preserving India’s spiritual heritage and promoting religious tourism, the Tripura government has launched an ambitious Rs 97.70 crore project to construct a grand 51-Shakti Pithas Park in Banduar, located in the Gomati district of the state. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, alongside other dignitaries including Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy and Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, laid the foundation stone and conducted the Bhumi Pujan for the project on Sunday.
The initiative aims to replicate all 51 Shakti Pithas —sacred sites in Hindu mythology believed to be places where the body parts of Goddess Sati fell after her self-immolation and subsequent dismemberment by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. These revered spots are currently spread across India and neighboring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Due to logistical challenges, many devotees may never be able to visit all these sites in their lifetime. The creation of this unique park will allow pilgrims and tourists to experience the spiritual essence of all 51 sites in one location.
The park is strategically located just four kilometers from the renowned 524-year-old Tripura Sundari Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Pithas itself. The proximity of the new park to this historic temple in Udaipur’s Gomati district adds even greater religious significance to the project.
According to Tourism Minister Chowdhury, the park will be a landmark religious destination, featuring full-scale replicas of all 51 Shakti Pithas, making it a symbolic pilgrimage hub. Adding to its spiritual grandeur, the park will also house the world’s largest Nataraja statue, a 400-seat amphitheater for cultural events, and Tripura’s first glass skywalk bridge, providing a modern tourism experience intertwined with ancient traditions.
The serene village of Banduar, surrounded by lush greenery and tranquil landscapes, was carefully chosen for this spiritually significant endeavor. The park is expected to become a cornerstone in the state’s religious tourism sector, attracting devotees, tourists, and spiritual seekers from across the world.
The project is being implemented with financial assistance from the Union Tourism Ministry and is part of the broader PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme. This initiative, coupled with funding from the Asian Development Bank, is transforming Tripura’s tourism landscape with a total investment of over Rs 350 crore for multiple eco-tourism and religious tourism projects.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Minister Saha emphasized the state’s growing importance in India’s tourism map, largely due to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The establishment of the Shakti Pithas Park is a step towards placing Tripura firmly on the global spiritual tourism map,” said Saha. He also revealed future plans to further develop the region’s tourism potential, including the proposal to introduce a seaplane service at Dumboor Lake—a scenic waterbody located at the confluence of the Raima and Sarma rivers, 115 km south of Agartala.
Dumboor Lake already features boating facilities and hosts ‘Narkel Kunja,’ a developed island known as one of Tripura’s most beautiful tourist destinations. These developments aim to present Tripura not only as a place of devotion but also as a modern, sustainable, and attractive destination for national and international visitors alike.
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The foundation laying ceremony also saw the unveiling of a new logo for the Tripura Tourism Department, symbolizing a fresh chapter in the state’s tourism journey. With religious, cultural, and ecological components being integrated into tourism planning, Tripura is poised to become a holistic travel destination offering unique experiences for all kinds of travelers.
