Tripura, meaning three cities or fortresses, is described in Hindu mythology as being constructed by the great Asura architect Mayasura. They were great cities of prosperity, power and dominance over the world, but due to their impious nature, Maya's cities were destroyed by god Tripurantaka or Tripurari, an aspect of Shiva. The three cities were made of gold, silver and iron and were located on the heaven, earth and underworld planes respectively.

Tripurantaka or Tripurari is a manifestation of the Hindu god Shiva. This form of the deity is featured in a Puranic legend in which he destroys the three cities of the asuras, called Tripura, with a single arrow.