Unakoti in Tripura is an ancient place of worship associated
with Shiva in Tripura in India. The story of the place famous for huge rock cut
carvings is very interesting. Unakoti story is associated with a visit of Shiva
to Kashi.
Unakoti means one less than a crore (ten million). Koti means crore. Legend has it that Shiva was traveling through the area along with one crore gods and goddesses. The coterie was on their way to Kashi (Benares).
Unakoti means one less than a crore (ten million). Koti means crore. Legend has it that Shiva was traveling through the area along with one crore gods and goddesses. The coterie was on their way to Kashi (Benares).
They decided to spend the night at the present day Unakoti.
He had asked the gods and goddesses to wake up before
sunrise and proceed to Kashi.
But none of the gods and goddesses woke up except for Lord
Shiva.
An angry Shiva then cursed the gods and goddesses to become
stone images.
It is believed that there are 9999999 stone images and
carvings in Unakoti. As Shiva had left one image is missing.
Kalu Kamar and Unakoti
Another story revolves around one Kalu Kamar, the famous sculptor. He was assigned the task to build a crore of the deities in his dream. But keeping the last idol unfinished Kalu created his own image. Thus ‘Koti’ could not be completed. So, the place got its name as Unakoti.
Kalu Kamar and Unakoti
Another story revolves around one Kalu Kamar, the famous sculptor. He was assigned the task to build a crore of the deities in his dream. But keeping the last idol unfinished Kalu created his own image. Thus ‘Koti’ could not be completed. So, the place got its name as Unakoti.
Unakoti is located around 177 km from Tripura and it is
around 8 km from Kailasahar.
The most famous image here is of Unnakotishwara Kala
Bhairava – which is about 30 feet.