Cliff Carvings on the Gomati
Chabimura — meaning "cliff of pictures" — is a stretch of steep cliffs directly overlooking the Gomati river in the Udaipur–Amarpur subdivision of South Tripura, carved with rock-cut images of Hindu deities including Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Kartikeya, and Ganesha. The carvings are believed to date to the 16th century, during the reign of Maharaja Amar Manikya.
What sets Chabimura apart from other heritage sites in Tripura is how it has to be seen: the carvings are set into inaccessible cliff faces rising straight from the water, so a boat ride along the Gomati is really the only practical way to view most of them properly. The river journey itself — through quiet, forested riverbanks with plenty of birdlife — is as much a highlight of a Chabimura visit as the carvings themselves.
Chabimura sits close enough to Udaipur that most visitors combine the two into a single day trip from Agartala.
🗿 Chabimura at a Glance
Best Time to Visit Chabimura
River conditions matter as much as weather when planning a Chabimura boat ride.
Pleasant weather and a calmer, more predictable river current make for comfortable, unhurried boating past the carvings.
Still workable with an early start, though rising heat and humidity make the boat ride less pleasant by midday.
Heavy rain swells the Gomati river, making the current stronger and boating less predictable — best avoided if possible.
Soft morning light on the cliff faces makes for the most striking photographs of the carvings from the water.
Our pick: October to March, ideally with a mid-morning start — calm water, comfortable weather, and good light on the cliff carvings.
How to Reach Chabimura
- By road to Amarpur: Roughly 65 km from Agartala via Udaipur, a comfortable half-day's drive with a private vehicle.
- Boat from the Amarpur ghat: From Amarpur, a further boat journey of a few kilometres along the Gomati river brings you to the carvings — boats are arranged locally at the ghat/jetty.
- Combine with Udaipur: Since Udaipur sits directly on the route, most visitors stop there for the lakes and temple before continuing to Amarpur.
The Boat Ride & the Carvings
Viewing the Carvings from the Water
The main experience is the boat ride itself, drifting slowly past the cliffs to take in the carved figures of Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, Kartikeya, and Ganesha, each set into the rock face at different points along the river's bend.
The Gomati River Journey
Beyond the carvings, the boat ride passes through quiet forested riverbanks with plenty of birdlife — a calm, scenic stretch that's worth savouring rather than rushing straight to the carvings and back.
Combining with Udaipur
Since Udaipur's lakes and the Tripura Sundari Temple sit directly on the route to Amarpur, a stop there on the way in or out rounds out a full day of South Tripura sightseeing.
Where to Stay Near Chabimura
Accommodation directly at Chabimura is essentially nonexistent — the realistic options are a day trip from Agartala, or a base in Udaipur or Amarpur if you'd rather not rush the round trip.
- → Guesthouses in Udaipur town
- → Basic lodges in Amarpur
- → Simple stays near Udaipur's lakes
- → Business hotels in Agartala
- → Better guesthouses, Udaipur
- → Tourism department properties nearby
- → Base in Agartala, day-trip via Udaipur
- → Return to Agartala same evening
- → Combine with Udaipur sightseeing en route
Suggested Visit Plan (1 Day)
Agartala to Udaipur
- ✓Drive to Udaipur (~55 km)
- ✓Visit Kalyan Sagar and the Tripura Sundari Temple
- ✓Continue on to Amarpur
Chabimura Boat Ride
- ✓Arrange a boat at the Amarpur ghat
- ✓Boat ride along the Gomati to view the carvings
- ✓Return drive to Agartala
* This works comfortably as a single long day trip from Agartala — an overnight in Udaipur is worth considering only if you want a more relaxed pace.
Where to Eat Near Chabimura
- Amarpur town: Simple local eateries near the ghat serve Bengali and Tripuri home-style meals — the most convenient option before or after the boat ride.
- Udaipur town: A wider spread of options if you're stopping there en route, useful for a proper meal before continuing to Amarpur.
- Carry snacks and water: There's little in the way of food directly at the ghat or on the river, so pack what you need for the boat ride itself.
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car hire from Agartala (round trip) | ₹4,500 | ₹6,500 | ₹9,500 |
| Boat hire at Amarpur | ₹500 | ₹900 | ₹1,500 |
| Food/day | ₹400 | ₹800 | ₹1,500 |
| Accommodation, if staying over | ₹800 | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
* Boat hire is typically per trip and best shared across a group. Figures assume a day trip from Agartala.
Essential Tips for Visiting Chabimura
- Book or confirm the boat ahead: Availability isn't guaranteed on arrival, especially outside weekends — confirm with a local operator before setting out.
- Wear a life jacket: Standard practice on any river boat ride — check that one is provided before boarding.
- Time it for good light: Morning light generally shows the cliff carvings best for photography.
- Combine with Udaipur: Since the two sit on the same route, visiting them together makes much better use of the long drive out from Agartala.
- Carry cash: Card payment is not a realistic option at the Amarpur ghat or on the river.
✅ Do
- →Confirm boat availability before setting out
- →Combine the trip with Udaipur sightseeing
- →Wear or ask for a life jacket on the boat
- →Visit in the morning for the best light
- →Carry cash for the boat hire and food
- →Pack water and snacks for the river stretch
❌ Don't
- →Expect to reach the carvings without a boat
- →Visit during heavy monsoon river flow
- →Assume a boat will be ready without checking
- →Rely on cards near the ghat
- →Skip the life jacket on the river
- →Rush straight past Udaipur if you have the time
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I actually see the Chabimura rock carvings?
Almost entirely by boat. The carvings are cut into steep cliff faces directly above the Gomati river, and a boat ride from the Amarpur ghat is the practical way to view most of them — very few can be properly seen or reached on foot.
How far is Chabimura from Agartala?
Roughly 65 km by road to Amarpur via Udaipur, followed by a further boat journey of a few kilometres along the Gomati river to reach the carvings themselves.
Can Chabimura be combined with Udaipur in one trip?
Yes, this is the natural way to visit — Udaipur's lakes and the Tripura Sundari Temple sit directly on the route to Amarpur, so most travellers combine both into a single long day trip from Agartala.
What is the best time to visit Chabimura?
October to March, when the weather is pleasant and the Gomati river's current is calmer and more predictable for boating. Monsoon months can make the river current stronger and boating less reliable.
Do I need to book a boat in advance?
It's worth arranging one in advance where possible, or at least confirming with a local operator at the Amarpur ghat before setting out, since boat availability isn't always guaranteed given how few visitors reach this far.
Published by the Kudozz Club editorial team · Last updated · How we research our guides
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