PM Modi inaugurated the redeveloped 524-year-old Tripura Sundari temple in Udaipur, Tripura, under the PRASHAD scheme. The historic Shakti Peetha, renovated at ₹54 crore, is set to attract more pilgrims and boost local cultural tourism.
Fulfilling a long-cherished public expectation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the redeveloped Mata Tripura Sundari temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas revered by Hindus, located in Udaipur, Gomati district of southern Tripura. The event marked a historic milestone for the state and its rich cultural heritage.
Redevelopment under PRASHAD scheme
According to senior officials from the Tourism Department, the temple has been redeveloped under the Union Tourism Ministry’s PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme at a cost of over ₹54 crore. Of this, the Central government provided ₹34.43 crore, while the Tripura government contributed ₹17.61 crore. The project aimed to modernize infrastructure, beautify the temple surroundings, and enhance facilities for pilgrims, while preserving the shrine’s historical and spiritual essence.
PM Modi’s arrival and grand roadshow
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for 13 development projects worth over ₹5,127 crore in Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar. Later, he arrived in Agartala and traveled by helicopter to Udaipur, 65 km south of the state capital. On his way to the temple, PM Modi led a 12-km roadshow from Palatana helipad to the shrine, greeted by thousands of devotees, including men, women, and children who lined the roads in celebration.
After inaugurating the redeveloped temple and its newly beautified complex, the Prime Minister performed puja at the sanctum and the nearby Kali temple. He also visited an exhibition showcasing the temple’s history, the cultural traditions of Tripura, and the legacy of its royal dynasty.
A site of historical and spiritual significance
The Tripura Sundari temple, built in 1501 by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya, is not only an important pilgrimage site but also a historical monument symbolizing the state’s identity. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and the third major shrine of its kind in eastern India, alongside Kalighat in Kolkata and the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati.
The sanctum of the temple is built in the Bengali Ek-Ratna architectural style, set upon a small hillock shaped like a tortoise hump, giving it the name Kurma Pīṭha. The sanctum houses two idols — a five-foot idol of Goddess Tripura Sundari and a smaller two-foot idol of Goddess Chandi, affectionately called Chhoto-Ma. Historically, the smaller idol was carried by Tripura’s kings to battlefields and hunting expeditions.
A cultural and economic boost for Tripura
The temple attracts 12-15 lakh devotees annually, including visitors from neighboring Bangladesh. On normal days, the temple records 3,000–3,500 visitors, but with the new infrastructure and improved amenities, officials anticipate the number could rise to 5,000–7,000 daily. This is expected to create significant opportunities for local communities, hotels, taxi operators, guides, and vendors, thereby boosting the local economy.
The temple also hosts the famous Diwali Mela, a two-day fair attended by lakhs of devotees each year, making it a cultural highlight of the state. Recently, the temple’s traditional sweet, Matabari Peda, was awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, adding further prestige to its offerings.
Leaders accompany PM Modi
Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu, Chief Minister Manik Saha, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, along with other senior leaders and officials, accompanied the Prime Minister during the inauguration.
Taking to his official X account, Chief Minister Manik Saha shared visuals of the redeveloped shrine, describing it as a “mesmerizing complex blessed by Mother’s grace.” He wrote:
“The enchanting nighttime supernatural view of the new infrastructure of Mother’s Abode, built under the PRASHAD Project! The mesmerising complex reflects the deep reverence and gratitude of the current government towards Mother.”
He further added that PM Modi’s puja on the first day of Navratri symbolized a “divine moment” and reflected the Prime Minister’s commitment to preserving Sanatani culture and traditions.
PM Modi’s frequent visits to Tripura
This was PM Modi’s 11th visit to Tripura and his second visit to the Tripura Sundari temple since assuming office in 2014. His previous visit to the shrine was on April 7, 2019. His last trip to the state before this occasion was on April 17, 2024, during the Lok Sabha elections.
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The redevelopment and inauguration of the 524-year-old shrine not only fulfill a long-standing demand of the devotees but also reaffirm the temple’s role as a cornerstone of Tripura’s cultural and spiritual identity.
