One of the most important and
much venerated attraction of Tripura of the ancient temple of Matabari or
Tripurasundari temple located on a hill-top 3 KM from the main town at
Udaipur. Matabari (Place of Mother Goddess) is regarded as one of the 51
piths (holy sites) of Hindu pilgrimage. Goddess Tripurasundari is
an avatar of the Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord
Shiva, the principal deity of the state.
A Curious legend
surrounds its origins. A king of Tripura Maharaja Dhanya
Manikya of the 15th century is said to have had a
dream ordering him to establish Tripurasundari at this
hill-top temple. But the king knew that it was already
dedicated to Lord Vishnu and he knew that he could not obey
the signs in the dream, because Lord Vishnu and the consort of
Lord Shiva could not share the same abode. But the divine
command was repeated to him next night giving in the king did
as he was bid.
The Kalyansagar Pond that
he built close by is home to tortoises that are deeply revered by the
devotees of the temple. This venerable temple is also referred to as
the Koorma(tortoise)Pith. The temple is 500 years old. Diwali or
Kalipuja is celebrated with great pomp here.