AGARTALA/ KAILASHHAR, Jan 21 (TIWN): Despite of prolonged demand to provide keen attention on the historical crafted stone sculptures of Unakoti, the ruling Government is least bothered to safeguard the centuries old archaeological site. In every programmes where the ruling Government claims about the State’s development in faster rate, negligence hits the century old crafted sculptures of Unakoti. Therefore, the historical crafted sculptures of Unakoti are gradually losing their glory. Tourists including foreigners where seem enthusiastic to visit the century old archaeological site ‘Unakoti’, the lackluster attitude of the State Government left the place in a poor condition. Every year more than thousands of tourists visit the area just to have a glance of the beauty of the century old sculpture. Most of the time people conduct picnic but the State Government has failed to preserve the beauty of the historical crafted sculptures of Unakoti. The condition of the stairs of Unakoti are in very poor shape and as a result several times tourists slipped from the stairs. Most of the stairways are so slippery that during rainy season, people had to sit and step-down carefully to avoid fatal accidents. With the renovation of the area and the sculpture, not only the tourists would get the chance to enjoy the beauty but also the State would have earned revenue from every visits. The lackluster attitude of the State Government is leading the century old site to vanish in few years.

Government where spends crores for the election campaign and other party needs, showing negligence to save the century old archaeological site. 

It is to be mentioned here that situated at a distance of about 178 km from Agartala and about five miles from Kailasahar, sub-divisional headquarter of the state, this holy shrine in the hilly part nestles in the lap of picturesque hills with an unending scene of green vegetation around it.

Among the rock cut carvings, central Shiva head known as Unakotiswara Kal Bhairava is about 30 feet high including an embroidered head-dress which itself is 10 feet high. On each side of the head-dress of the central Shiva, there are two full size female figures - one of Durga standing on a lion and another female figure on the other side.

Every year a big fair popularly known as Ashokastami Mela is held in the month of April which is visited by thousands of pilgrims.

However, people from all across the state visits the spot and worships the God. Besides, in certain period of time fairs also been conducted in the spot which attract huge crowd.

Despite of several demands also the State Government is to protect the historical crafted sculptures of Unakoti.

Unakoti has suffered centuries of neglect causing degradation and loss of considerable scale to the rock art.

Since its adoption by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) as a heritage site, the situation has slightly improved, though a lot of work including substantial excavation remains to be undertaken.

The Centre has  granted Rs 12 crore to the state for developing the area, 178 km from Agartala, as a major tourist destination.

The government of India has approached to UNESCO to declare it as a world heritage site. 

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