Chabimura Rock Carvings

History

Tripura Tourism describes Chabimura’s panels of rock carvings on the steep cliff of Devtamura above the Gomati River: huge images of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartikeya, Mahishasuramardini Durga and other deities, dated to the 15th–16th centuries and carved on a rock face that rises at about 90 degrees.

The first panel, just across the river, is about 10.3 m high, spreads over 28 m and faces south; some images to its right have been lost as rock slabs slid away. About a kilometre further, the Mahishasuramardini is carved 10 m above the river bed. At 10.70 m high and 7.70 m wide it is one of the largest reliefs of the goddess in India; she is ten-armed, and local tribes worship her as Chakrak-ma.

The hills are covered in thick jungle, and the carvings are reached by trekking or along the river; the area is also an eco-tourism centre. Chabimura is 30 km from Udaipur, 12 km from Amarpur and 82 km from Agartala.

Stories

Gods Carved Into a Cliff

Chabimura, on the bank of the Gomati river in Tripura, is known for panels of rock carvings on the steep cliff of Devtamura. Huge images of Shiva, Vishnu, Kartikeya and Mahishasuramardini Durga are carved on a rock face rising at about 90 degrees. Tripura Tourism dates the carvings to the 15th to 16th centuries. The place is also called Chakrakma, and the site lies about 30 km from Udaipur and 82 km from Agartala.

The Great Durga Relief

The largest figure is Mahishasuramardini, the ten-armed Durga, carved about 10 metres above the river bed. Tripura Tourism gives its size as 10.70 metres high and 7.70 metres wide, one of the largest reliefs of the goddess in India, while Wikipedia gives about 20 feet, so the exact dimension is reported differently. The carvings can be reached only by trekking through thick jungle or along the river, which has helped keep the place quiet.

Good to know

River-cliff rock panels listed on Tripura Tourism

15th–16th century carvings per state portal

30 km from Udaipur; 12 km from Amarpur Sub-Division

Getting there

Road from Udaipur (~30 km), Amarpur (~12 km), or Agartala (~82 km) per Tripura Tourism.