Neermahal is the largest water palace in India, located in Tripura state. The article is about Neermahal Water Palace in Rudrasagar Lake. “Neer” means “water” and “Mahal” means “palace.” The king of Neer Mahal, Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur, who lived in Agartala. The king used to come to the palace only for holidays. It is also a summer palace for the royal family. It is one of the most amazing and unique water palace in India, located in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake in the state Tripura, in India.
Neermahal Water Palace
There are two very popular water palaces in India. One of them is Neermahal in Tripura. The area of the mahal is about 5.5 square kilometer, the length of the Mahal is 400 meters, and it has 24 rooms. Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur held the position of the final king of Tripura. Neer Mahal has been built by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Bahadur and designed in such a way that one side was made only for the members of the Royal family, and the other side was made for soldiers. Whenever someone used to come to the castle, he used to enter the side of the soldier, then he was welcomed by coming from the side of the royal family. The construction work of this palace started in 1930 and completed in 1938, constructed by Martin and Burns Company (British Company). It is also the best tourist place in Tripura. This palace was named as “Neermahal” by Rabindranath Tagore. At one time, Rabindranath Tagore had a good relationship with the royal family. The 2nd largest one is Jalmahal in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
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But in 1947, India got independence, Dictatorship ended in India and started democracy. But the present descendants of Manikya dynasty still lives in Agartala. After the death of the Maharaja in 1947, this palace was lying for about 10 to 15 years. In between, there was no one to take care of the buildings. Then the public of Tripura entered inside it and started living. After a long time, the Indian government possessed and renovated the palace, and now it becomes a popular historical place in Tripura. At present, the mahal is maintained by the State Govt. of Tripura and stands as one of the most iconic heritage monuments. Read more
Architecture of Neermahal
The most tourists attraction is its stunning architecture and scenic beauty of Neermahal Water Palace.
- The palace combines Mughal and Hindu architecture style
- Amazing white and red combine exterior wall design
- Spacious balconies overlooking the whole lake with natural air
- Elegant domes and towers
- Garden and countyards
- Open air dance and theatre hall
- Ornate corridors and cultural program hall
- Grand entrance gateway
- Separate section for residence and entertainment
Garden in Neermahal
There were separate gardens for separate purposes. The first garden was for the Maharaja, and the 2nd separate garden was for maharani. Another garden was there for the public. Whenever there was a festival in Neer Mahal, the king made a separate place, where a kitchen, servant quarters, and an MP theater hall. There was a private boat parking for the maharaja.
Neermahal Festival
The festival is held in Rudrasagar Lake annually and the program is organized by the Tripura Tourism Department for 3 days in August or September. The festivals most attractions are boat racing, swimming competitions, and cultural programs performances by Tripura’s 19 ethnic communities and also showcase traditional culture of the state.
How to reach Neermahal Agartala
The mahal is situated in the middle of Rudrasagar lake, Melaghar, in Sepahijala district in Tripura. If you want to visit the historical place, you have to reach Agartala first by train, bus, or flight. Agartala is the capital city of Tripura and is the nearest town to the historical destinations.
Agartala to Neermahal by bus
The distance from Agartala to Neermahal is about 53 km. If your journey is by train from the rest of Tripura, you first reach Nagerjala Bus stand from the railway station by auto rickshaw. You have to come to Melaghar from Agartala by bus or taxi. Buses are available to reach Melaghar from Nagerjala bus stand in Agartala. The bus journey will be around 2 hours, and the bus fare approx. Rs.50 per person. Lots of buses run daily on the Nagerjala to Sonamura road. Melaghar is a place that is the nearest to Neer Mahal.
Road map: Agartala Railway Station-Nagerjala bus stand-Melaghar-Neer Mahal.
Neermahal Boat Ticket Price
The Royal Palace is in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake. So you cannot reach it directly by bus; you must take the help of a boat. The place from where you have taken the boat is Raj Ghat. Several boats and ferries are available in Raj Ghat. There are boats like ferries, engine boats, and special boats, and also the general boats are available. The ferry ticket price will be Rs.50 per person, and buy a ticket from the ticket counter. You can reserve a small boat for Rs.350 only. The special boats are available at Rs.2000 to Rs.2500 to reach the famous destinations from Raj Ghat. The sunset boat ride is on of the highlights and making amazing tour in Rudrasagar lake.
Note: Now it’s a tourist destination, so you have to Pay Rs.30 (buy a ticket) to enter the Palace. Visiting time is 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in winter, and 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in summer.
Best Time to Visit Neermahal
The month from October to March is the best time to visit Neer mahal because at that time the weather is pleasant and perfect for sightseeing and boating. You can visit monsoon season also, at that time the lake is full of water and the amazing wiews of Rudrasagar Lake makes the palace appear even more magical. Sometimes the heavy rainfall may affect boating services but in monsoon enhances the beauty of Rudrasagar Lake because at that time the lake will be full of water. You must make a plan with the best time to visit Neermahal with your family.
Nearby Attractions
- Agratala City
- Rudrasagar Lake
- Tripura Sundari Temple (Matabari)
- Ujjayanta Palace
- Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary
- Unakoti
Lake Side Resort Neermahal
The resort is located at Melaghar, Main Road, on the gateway of Neermahal Rajghat. Contact 09986702889. The 3-star hotel is 334 reviews with 4.1 ratings on 01/01/2026. The resort provides spacious rooms with the majestic view of the water palace. Staff behavior is good, and food is also. If you want to visit the water palace, you can book the resort, without any worries.
Conclusion
If you have a tour plan with your family or friend, you can choose the most famous historical place Neermahal Water Palace, Tripura. It is the best destination for spend your vacation with your family or friends. Neermahal is an amazing tourist spot that attracts photographers, nature lovers and history lovers also. Neermahal is a perfect blend of history, architecture, peaceful boat ride, and amazing natural beauty and it offers an unforgettable tour experience.
Read More: Matabari Tripura