Neer Mahal(Water Palace)

Neer Mahal, which translates to “water palace,” is located in the centre of Rudrasagar Lake, 53 kilometres from Agartala. Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Debbarman Manikya erected it as a vacation residence in 1930. The palace is built in the Mughal architectural style.

The palace was built with marble and stone, and the abundance of balconies, minarets, bridges, and pavilions makes Neermahal an architectural marvel.

The palace is surrounded by Rudrasagar Lake, which attracts a significant number of migrating birds during the winter season. Every year in August, the Neermahal Water Festival – a three-day festival hosted in Melaghar and Rudrasagar lakes – is held. The boat race on Rudrasagar Lake is a major draw for the Neermahal water festival.

Neer Mahal in a Glimpse

The palace is the biggest in India and the only one of its kind in Eastern India. There are only two water palaces in India, the other being the Jal Mahal in Rajasthan. The Neer-Mahal, often known as Tripura’s “water palace,” was built as a vacation destination.

Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur came up with the idea for a palace beside the beautiful Rudrasagar lake and commissioned the British firm Martin and Burns to build it in 1921. The task took the organisation nine years to complete. Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya Bahadur is a descendant of the ‘Manikya Dynasty,’ the world’s second from a single line of ancestry.

The palace is the manifestation of the Maharaja’s unique taste and his the immaculate concept of mixing Muslim and Hindu customs and civilizations. The palace is divided into two halves. The western flank of the palace is known as Andar Mahal. It was made especially for the royal family. On its eastern side, there is also an open-air theatre wherein the Maharaja and the royals of their family may enjoy dance, theatre, drama, and other cultural events. The palace has 24 rooms in total. There are two stairways inside that lead to a platform on the lake of Rudrasagar Lake. From ‘Rajghat’ to the palace, Maharajas used to use a palm boat.

Neer Mahal’s Architecture

With its lofty, ornate buildings, this architectural masterpiece offers visitors a lot.

The surrounding grass, greenery, and flower beds give another dimension of majesty to the grandeur of this location. Neermahal Palace is notable for its similarity to the magnificent Jag Niwas or Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan’s Pichola Lake.

The castle’s construction and dome-shaped minars give it a fort-like look, and tourists are still startled by its massive presence. The exquisite palace is a beautiful fusion of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The palace, surrounded by water, is even more beautiful at night when its reflection is visible on the lake. The royal residence, built of sandstone and marble, is an architectural masterpiece with its beautiful balconies, pillars, rooms, ornate walls, bridges, and pavilions.

The magnificent structure is surrounded by artistically planned gardens and floodlighting, which lend colour to its majestic attractiveness. The deep green yards and vivid blossom beds surrounding the royal palace building add to the overall appearance of this old structure.

Who constructed the Neermahal?

Neermahal was created as a magnificent summer residence for the Tripura royals.

It was built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya, the last monarch of Tripura, a former princely state. The state was formerly a princely state, and its influence may still be seen today. The majority of Agartala’s structures and architecture are majestic, as if they belonged to monarchs. The Tripuri people are also well-versed in their culture and history.

Neermahal in Tripura: Seen from its terrace

The Manikya dynasty ruled Tripura from 1463 till 1949 (when it joined the Indian union), and Maharaja Bir Bikram Manikya was a reformist emperor. He had built the amenities and infrastructure that someone would expect from a decent king, and he was popular with the people. Neermahal exhibits his artistic sensibility and taste.

The king commissioned the British firm Martin & Burn Co. to design and construct Neermahal Palace. The Maharaja’s vacation palace was completed nine years after building began in 1921. The palace was erected exactly in the heart of Rudrasagar Lake, making it ideal for a summer residence. I’m not going to get into whether or not creating this castle was an extravagance. But, without a doubt, the palace is one of the best instances of the combination of Hindu and Mughal architectural traditions and a prominent tourist destination in Tripura.

View of the East Water Palace

The Maharaja is reported to have taken a keen interest in the construction of the palace and used to submit precise directions to the builders in order to get a beautiful location to dwell.

The overall outcome was fantastic. Marble and sandstone were widely employed in the palace’s construction, and there are several bridges, galleries, balconies, and towers.

From a distance, the dome-shaped minars lend the palace a fort-like aspect. There are flower beds and lush green lawns that add to the charm of the setting. Everything in Neermahal Palace appears to be of the highest quality.

In conclusion

Neermahal is among the most beautiful tourist destinations in North East India, as well as an amazing structure that has definitely withstood the test of time. The mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture style gives it a distinct appearance, making it one of India’s most captivating water palaces. Boating from Neermahal to Agartala is an adventure that will be on everyone’s bucket list while visiting the North East. It is interesting to see East India’s unique floating palace and admire its ornately constructed magnificent architecture, which is reflected in the waters of Rudrasagar Lake. Make a point of visiting this magnificent palace to uncover another architectural masterpiece that reflects India’s rich past.