Rock Solid

Unakoti in Tripura is matchless in terms of absolute grandeur and artistry for its amazing rock-cut carvings and huge sculptures

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There are more than 1,500 known rockcut structures in India and many of these structures contain artwork of global importance. Most are adorned with exquisite stone carvings and these ancient and mediaeval structures represent significant achievements of structural engineering and craftsmanship. Unakoti district in north-east Tripura is one such historical site that boasts marvellous rock carvings and murals with their primitive beauty. Situated around 178 kilometres from Agartala, the heritage site of Unakoti is home to giant bas-relief sculptures carved out of the Raghunandan hills, nowadays it is known as the Unakoti Hills or Belkom Tila. The huge sculptures carry a tribal look and exude almost the same mystical charm as the spell-binding figures in the Angkor Wat Temple of Cambodia. Unakoti means one less than a crore and it's basically a pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is believed to be 11-13 centuries old.