India GO
Neermahal Water Festival: boats around Tripura's lake palace
Village boats racing around a palace that stands in the middle of a lake
The Neermahal Water Festival is three days of boat races, swimming and evening cultural programmes on Rudrasagar Lake in Melaghar, Tripura, around Neermahal, a royal palace built in the middle of the water. It is organised each year by the local administration and Tripura government departments, and the dates are announced only about two weeks ahead, so treat it as a bonus to a trip to Agartala rather than a fixed date to plan around.
Tripura's tourism corporation and the Sepahijala district administration set the dates and announce them about two weeks ahead.
The legend
Neermahal, the 'water palace', stands in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake. Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya built it in 1930 as a summer residence.
The palace blends Hindu and Mughal styles. Its eastern side held an open-air theatre for drama and dance.
The maharajas reached the palace by rowing boat from Rajghat. Today the water festival is held at the same landing.
Customs
Boat races
The main event is the race on Rudrasagar Lake, with many kinds of boats competing; there is a swimming contest too.
Evening programmes
On each of the festival's three evenings there are concerts and cultural programmes by the lake.
What happens on the lake
The centre of the festival is the boat race on Rudrasagar Lake, with many kinds of boats competing, and a swimming contest alongside it. The festival is held at Rajghat, the landing from which the maharajas were once rowed out to the palace. Each of the three evenings has concerts and cultural programmes by the lake.
The programme changes from year to year. For a recent edition the organisers announced Manasamangal (songs and performances in honour of the snake goddess Manasa), yoga competitions and other events alongside the races and swimming. The peak is the main race day; check the announced schedule once it is out.
The palace in the lake
Neermahal means 'water palace'. Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya of Tripura had it built as a summer residence in the middle of Rudrasagar Lake. According to the Sepahijala district administration, he commissioned the British firm Martin and Burns in 1921 and the work took nine years; the Tripura government's culture department dates the palace to 1930.
The design blends Hindu and Mughal styles, in marble and sandstone, with domed towers that give it the look of a fort from a distance. The western half, the Andar Mahal, was the royal family's quarters; the eastern half held an open-air theatre for drama and dance. The palace has 24 rooms, and two stairways lead down to a landing on the water. The district administration calls it the largest palace of its kind in India and the only one in eastern India; the other water palace in India is Jal Mahal in Rajasthan.
When it is held
The festival runs for three days, but its month is not fixed. The Tripura government's culture department describes it as an August festival, with a second Neermahal festival of cultural events in December; recent editions have been held in late September or October. Tripura's tourism corporation and the Sepahijala district administration set the dates each year and announce them about two weeks ahead, so watch the Tripura government and district websites and local news from late summer.
If you are in Tripura in early summer, the state's other big festival is Kharchi Puja in Old Agartala: 11–17 July 2027 (expected).
How to get to Neermahal
Neermahal is in Melaghar, Sepahijala district, about 53 km from Agartala, the state capital. Distances below are from the district administration.
- By air
The nearest airport is Agartala, about 57.6 km away.
- By train
The nearest railhead is Agartala railway station, about 43.4 km away.
- By road
Buses and small vehicles run from the Agartala bus stand to Melaghar market, about 48.4 km; from the market, take an auto or a rickshaw to the lake.
FAQ
Where is the Neermahal Water Festival held?
On Rudrasagar Lake around the Neermahal palace in Melaghar, Sepahijala district, Tripura, about 53 km from Agartala.
When is the Neermahal Water Festival?
It lasts three days. The state culture department calls it an August festival, but recent editions have been in late September or October; the dates are announced about two weeks ahead.
What happens at the festival?
Boat races on the lake with many kinds of boats, a swimming contest, and concerts and cultural programmes on each of the three evenings.
Is Neermahal the largest water palace in India?
The Sepahijala district administration describes it as the largest palace of its kind in India and the only one in eastern India; the other is Jal Mahal in Rajasthan.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.