After spending two weeks exploring Meghalaya, it was time for me to descend from Cherrapunji and leave its rainy hills for Shillong Airport. I did not know then that the journey to Tripura would not be all smooth sailing. As we reached the airport, we were told that the flight to Guwahati, which would eventually take me to Agartala, was delayed by a few hours. I took the time to grab some lunch in a local diner and enjoyed a large milkshake with a non-veg thali.

I trudged back to the airport and even managed to check in. I waited and waited, at times restlessly wandering in and out of the airport toilets. To my dismay, I was told that the flight to Guwahati was cancelled, and I would have to take a taxi and drive down instead. From there, I would be able to fly to Agartala, Tripura. It was a long drive of almost four hours, and there was a huge traffic jam inside Guwahati. The state had just lost its prodigal son, the famous singer Zubin Da, who had sung many chart-busting Bollywood hits—the most famous being “Ya Ali, Ya Ali.” The singer died young, at only 52, in a scuba diving accident.

Agartala, Tripura

The entire city seemed to be mourning the singer. A state holiday was declared in his honour, and his body was kept for days in a large stadium so that his fans could see him one last time and pay their respects to one of Assam’s greatest legends. The entire city was full of banners and posters honouring him. There were large glowing signs at the airport, along with prayer pandals displaying his photograph, surrounded by garlands.

I stayed overnight in a hotel near the airport and then caught a flight to Agartala, which took just over an hour. Luckily for me, the Seth Hotel where I am staying is wonderful, with a full view of a large pond from my window. I also managed to find a good driver at the airport, and as is usual with me, I will be using his services to explore the city. So hold on for more adventures from another state among the Seven Sisters. I will be exploring Tripura—a state I am visiting now for the very first time in my life.