Chabimura Rock Carvings

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Chabimura is located in the North Eastern state of Tripura in India. It's famous for its panel's of rock carvings on the steep mountain wall on the banks of river Gomati. There are huge images carved depicting Durga & other gods and goddesses. These images date back somewhere between 15th - 16th centuries AD. These beautiful engravings are carved with a lot of dexterity on the steep rock face.

Devi Chakrakma

There are two places to start the trip to Chabimura. One is from Maharani jetty near Udaipur town & the other is from Amarpur jetty. We stayed in Udaipur therefore set off for Maharani jetty early in the morning. It takes about 30 minutes (23km) to reach the jetty near Maharani barrage. On the way we had breakfast at Chouhamani Bazzar. From the jetty we hired a small country motor boat. 
(details regarding boat hire, rates, places to stay kindly see at the bottom of the write-up)

Maharani jetty



Maharani barrage & our boat


The journey from Maharani takes longer than from Amarpur jetty. We opted for this upstream route as it passes through beautiful gorges, forests, fishing villages. You can enjoy the ride by watching the village folk in there daily activities, fishermen sitting for hours on the banks & jovial children waving as you pass by.

On our way

fishing folks



A fisherman

boat carrying firewood

After meandering through the river for sometime we were now cruising through the gorges of Devatamura hills. The scenery was just breathtaking and you will have a sense of adventure as you move on.

Through the gorges

 


It took us nearly 1.5hrs to reach the first rock cut carving. Chabimura is actually reputed for the Devi Chakrakma, a large idol of the Devi is carved over 200ft high on a rock face. The hair of the devi is replaced by many snakes. Another idol seen below this colossal engraving is that of Rudra Bhairabi and not a demon. This idol having  ten hands like Devi Durga stands tall in an awe inspiring grandeur.

Devi Chakrakma



If we proceed further towards Amarpur jetty, numerous engravings heave into view. Here the Gomati has changed her direction and approaches the western side which is hardly blessed by sunlight and the entire area remains covered in an eerie silence. It might be true that many more engravings have got lost in the whirlpool of time.....




Though the Gomati river originated from Longthorai and Atharamura range but it flows westwards  to Amarpur towards the Devatamura hills and then begins its downward flow. The Devatamura is the principle hill range of  Gomati district having a length of 85km and forms the boundary between Amarpur & Udaipur. Three small hamlets near the Amarpur jetty give a wholesome welcome to people for which tourists from different parts of the country flock to this place to bask in the rural surroundings and lush green forests. There's also an Interpretation Centre at Amarpur jetty where the facts and history of the site are showcased.

 Interpretation centre & the guest houses

Amarpur jetty

We spent some time around the Amarpur jetty area. There are only one or two shops selling tea and snacks. After sometime we boarded our boat and set off for our journey downstream towards Maharani which will take around an hour to reach.

Towards Maharani

Maharani barrage

How to reach Chabimura:

As written before, there are notably two places to start the trip towards Chabimura.

➤ Udaipur town to Maharani barrage is 23 km and takes about 40 min in a car.  Maharani to Amarpur jetty upstream takes 1hr 30min by boat and another 1hr downstream to return.
The small boat can carry maximum 6 people.
Boat rate varies between Rs.3000 to 4000. (rates are flexible and can be bargained)

➤ Amarpur town to Amarpur jetty is 9 km and takes about 20min in a car. from jetty to panels and back takes around 45min.
The boats can carry between 6 - 8 people.
Boat rate is between Rs.300 to Rs.450 per head.

Staying options near Chabimura:

The Guest cottages at Amarpur jetty cannot be booked for night stay. Can be booked only for some hours or till sunset. 

UDAIPUR
 ➤ We stayed in Imperial Hotel in Udaipur. It has its own restaurant and provides free WiFi.
      https://theimperialhotel.business.site/
 
 ➤ You can also opt to stay in Gunabati Yatri Niwas run by Tripura Tourism.
      http://tripuratourism.gov.in/gunabati

MELAGHAR
➤ Sagar Mahal Tourist Lodge in Melaghar near to Neermahal Palace.
     http://tripuratourism.gov.in/sagarmahal

AMARPUR 
➤ Sagarika Parjatan Niwas run by Tripura Tourism
     http://tripuratourism.gov.in/sagarika

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