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.

History

The palace was built as a summer residence by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya of Tripura, who commissioned the British company Martin and Burns to build it in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake to his own detailed instructions, blending Hindu and Mughal styles in marble and sandstone. It is the largest water palace in India (Wikipedia, Neermahal).

What you'll find

• 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.

Things to know

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.

Key facts