Neermahal

Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya built Neermahal, the water palace, on an artificial island in Rudrasagar lake between 1930 and 1938 as a summer residence, and the design divides deliberately: the western half, the andar mahal, was for the royal family, and the eastern half held an open-air theatre for drama, dance and recitals, with the whole worked in a mix of Mughal and Hindu forms in white and red. It is reached only by boat across the lake. Rudrasagar is a Ramsar wetland and draws migratory birds in winter, and a light and sound show runs at the palace in the evening.

What you actually see

• The lake palace - a white and red building on an island, reached by boat.
• The divided plan - royal quarters on one side, open-air theatre on the other.
• The boat crossing - the only access, across Rudrasagar lake.
• The winter birds - migratory waterfowl on the Ramsar wetland.

When to go

October to March for birds and comfortable weather; the evening light and sound show runs in season. Tripura summers are hot and humid and the monsoon heavy.

Honest expectations

Boats run to a schedule and stop early; missing the last one is a problem. Parts of the palace are closed and maintenance is uneven. Tripura is remote with connections mostly via Kolkata or Guwahati.

Nearby

Agartala lies northeast; the Bangladesh border is close.