Welcome To Ancient Mound Called Thakurani Tila, West Pillak

~3 km distance

Nearest Railway Station: Jolaibari Railway Station

~122.5 km distance

Nearest Airport: Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport, Agartala

~ 5 km distance

Nearest Bus Station: Jolaibari Bus Stand

This monument is located in the western part of West Pilak in the South Tripura district. It is situated about 107 kilometers from Agartala, the capital of Tripura, and about 53 kilometers from the temple town of Udaipur.

This monument, built with ancient bricks, had its complete layout revealed after excavations conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India in the years 1984–85, 1998–1999, 1999–2000, and 2000–01.

The excavations uncovered the lower portions of nine brick-built temples, which include sanctums (garbhagriha) and circumambulatory paths. Among them, two are rectangular in plan and the rest are square in plan. Among the temples, one in the north-eastern direction is possibly partially destroyed or unfinished.

Within the westernmost temple structure, a large idol of Surya was found installed. The idol of Surya is standing and, as usual, holding lotuses in both hands. In one of the temples, there is also an idol of Mahishasuramardini Durga.

Image Gallery

The presence of a quartz Siva-linga fixed in a stone yonipitha in one of these shrines indicates that the shrine was dedicated to Siva. The antiquities found in the excavations comprise fragments of iron, copper, and ceramic artefacts. Ceramic assemblage includes a few featureless potshards of dull red ware, red ware, red-slipped ware, and buff ware of wheel-made variety having medium to coarse fabric. The common shapes are bowls, miniature pots, handi, vase, and dish etc. The site can be assigned to the circa 10th – 13th century CE. A few mutilated stone sculptures of a later period are found near the site.

Inside the premises of this monument, a sculpture was established in 2019. This sculpture shed displays the artefacts retrieved from the surrounding archaeological sites, including Boxananagar, Shyamsundar Tilla, Puja Khola and Thakurani Tilla for the general public. Displayed artefacts are terracotta plaques with depictions of Buddha, human figures, animals, birds, floral motifs, etc. Besides them, coins, stone sculptures, terracotta votive stupas and sealings are also exhibited inside this sculpture shed.

Drone IMAGE

Drone Video

Location Map

Reference:

  1. IAR 1984-85., p 79-80.- surya 13th
  2. IAR 1998-99., p161.- 9 to 10
  3. IAR 1999-00., p 155-157. -9 to 10
  4. IAR 2000-01.,p119. – 9 to 10