Neermahal Festival 2025: Tripura’s Fairytale on Water

If you thought palaces only belonged in history books or in Bollywood sets, think again. Welcome to Neermahal … literally “water palace,” a dreamy royal mansion that seems to float in the middle of the serene Rudrasagar Lake in Tripura. Built back in 1930 by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya as his summer retreat, this Mughal-inspired marvel is equal parts fairytale, architecture lesson and a picnic spot.

And every year, the palace turns into the heart of celebration during the Neermahal Water Festival. This year, it will kick off on 12 September 2025, and will go on till 14 September. As always, it is a burst of colour, tradition and pure joy.The festival is being jointly organized by the Tripura Tourism Development Corporation, Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Sepahijala District Administration and Melaghar Municipal Corporation.

Image source: Tripura Tourism

So, What Happens at Neermahal Festival?

Think of it as a festival where culture meets competition and all of it happens on water. The star of the show? The boat race on Rudrasagar Lake. Sleek boats of every kind cut across the lake in a thrilling contest, cheered on by locals and tourists alike. The excitement is contagious, families gather on the banks, children splash around, and food stalls serve up Tripura’s best street eats.

There’s also a swimming competition, cultural performances in the evenings, and a carnival-like energy that makes the palace shine even brighter against the lake’s ripples. 

What Tripura Is Famous For

Tripura, tucked away in India’s northeast, may be small in size but is big on character. From the royal Ujjayanta Palace to the ancient rock carvings of Unakoti, from bamboo handicrafts to its lip-smacking Mui Borok cuisine, the state has layers of history and heritage.

It’s also famous for its lush green hills, orange orchards, handwoven Risa textiles, and friendly people who’ll insist you try at least two helpings of whatever’s on their plate. And of course, now the Neermahal festival is one of its most iconic events, drawing visitors from across the country.

Why It Matters

In a world where festivals often blur into neon lights and Instagram reels, the Neermahal Festival feels refreshingly authentic. It’s rooted in tradition but still playful enough to make you feel like a kid again. Whether you’re cheering at the boat race, enjoying folk dance performances, or just standing still to take in the palace’s reflection on the water, you leave with the sense that this isn’t just an event, it’s a story you carry back with you.

So, if you’re ever planning your September holidays, skip the usual hill station rush and head to Tripura. Because some palaces are meant to be lived in, even if only for a festival.

Ganpati Bappa may have his visarjan, but in Tripura, the boats are just getting started. :)