Tourists Attractions of Assam

Other Tourists Attractions are:

Haflong

Haflong, the Assam's only hill station is situated in the rugged terrains of Assam. It is the district Headquarters of North Cachar Hills. Hilly Assam is like a heaven to the senses where one can touch the sweetest dream with the fingers. Haflong Lake, a beautiful lake is located in the heart of the town.


Jatinga


Jatinga, about 9 kms. from Haflong, is famous for the unexplained phenomenon of migratory birds, committing mass suicide. The migratory birds come here during the month of August to November. From the elevated watch tower, one can see them yielding to their death wish and their little plumage dropping down. Other attractions here include exciting trekking in Borail Hills, watching the traditional dances of the tribes and a visit to the Orchid Garden. The best season to visit the Jatinga is from August to April.


Digboi

Digboi is a major oil town which is surrounded by numerous tea gardens and hills. A 100 years old refinery and 112 years old oil field still exist here. The Digboi Refinery was started in 1901 as the first refinery of Asia and the second refinery in the world. Today, the oil field and refinery are the oldest oil field and refinery in the world. There is also a War Cemetery and Golf Course in Digboi.


Tezpur

Tezpur is situated on the north bank of the majestic river Brahmaputra, and known for the magnificent scenic beauty and exquisite archaeological ruins. It is the headquarters of Sonitpur district and is considered as one of the most beautiful towns of the state. Undulated green valleys surrounded by the hills, with snow capped peaks of the Himalayas and lush green tea gardens have all contributed to make


Tezpur a tourist's delight. Tezpur, also known as Sonitpur, the city of blood in Puranas, is associated with the eternal love and romance between princess Usha, the daughter of King Banaand prince Anirudha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. According to the legend, a great mythological war was fought between the Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva and as a result the whole city was said to have been drenched in blood. So this place was known as Sonitpur. Tezpur was ruled by the mythical Demon King Vansur. There are several old temples here of remote antiquity. Tezpur has received a unique place in the history of Assam due to its contribution to art, culture, literature and particularly during the freedom struggle. In 1942, for the first time in entire British India, the Indian flag was hoisted in the police station at Gahpur. Fourteen year old Kanaklata braved British bullets and died holding the national flag aloft. The ruins of the fort are attributed to Vanasur.


Sibsagar


Sibsagar is located about 369 kms. towards the east of Guwahati and also the headquarters of the district of the same name. Sibsagar is situated between Jorhat and Duliajan. It is also a leading tea and oil producing district. Sibsagar is a fast developing modern and beautiful town located around the huge Sibsagar tank, an artificial lake constructed by Queen Madambika in 1734 AD. Sibsagar was the capital of the Ahoms who ruled Assam for the six hundreds years before the coming of the British and is now in ruins. The Shiva Temple built on the bank of this tank is believed to be the highest Shiva temple in India.

A few old monuments found are the water tank dug by King Siva Singha in the 17th century. He also built three temples on its banks dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Durga. There is also a Rang Ghar, an original oval-shaped pavilion from where the king watched elephant fights. Besides, there is Charaideo, the necropolis of Ahom kings and a palace at Gurgaon.


Dhubri


Dhubri District - the gateway of western Assam happened to be in the past a meeting place of different racial groups which mingled together and formed a unique Cultural Heritage and Historical Background. The growth of blended culture in this region particularly in case of Language, Art and Religion is due to continuous process of assimilation of various races,scaste & creed of local people,invaders & migrated people.

Dhubri District is bounded both by inter-state and international border i.e. West Bengal and Bangladesh in the west, Goalpara and Bogaigoan district of Assam and Garo Hills district of Meghalaya in the east, Kokrajhar district in the north, Bangladesh and state of Meghalaya in the south.Covering an area of 2,838 Sq. Kms. including forests, riverines, hills etc. the district has become the most densely populated district in India with a density of 584 persons per Sq. Km


Dhubri District is bestowed with attractive scenic beauties by the Mother Nature. Both the banks of river Brahmaputra with its lush green fields, blue hills and hillock is a feast to the eyes of the onlookers. The Chakrasila wild- life sanctuary, the Tegbahadur Gurudwara, the Rangamati Mosque, Mahamaya Dham and the royal palaces attract the people for their unique structures, religious sanctity and mythological importance. Some attractive spots with salient features and pictorial views are depicted below:

Gurudwara Sri Guru Tegbahadur Sahibji

In the heart of the Dhubri Town and on the bank of the river mighty Brahmaputra, this famous Gurudwara is situated. Sikh Guru Nanaka visited this place in 1505 A.D. & met Sri Sankardeva during Nanaka's way from Dhaka to Assam. Thereafter the 9th Guru Tegbahadur came to this place and established this Gurudwara during 17th century. Sikh devotees from all over India and abroad assembled in this Gurudwara pevery year in the month of December to mark the Martydom of Sri Guru Tegbahadur with due solemnity and ceremony. Sikh devotees called this festival as Sahidee-Guru-Parav.



Mahamaya Dham


Mahamaya Dham of Bogribari, about 30-35 Km.east from Dhubri town is next to Kamakhya Than (Guwahati) and Madan-Mohan (Cooch Behar) in its attraction to the pilgrims and tourists. Originaly the famous mother Goddess Mahamaya of Parvatjowar was worshipped by the local people like Kacharies, Koches and Nath etc. It was the presiding deity of the Jaminder of Parvatjowar. Now-a-days the mother Mahamaya is worshipped by all Hindus.


Rangamati Mosque


The very famous Rangamati Mosque was built during 17th century by Hussain Shah; the Governor of Bengal. This Mosque belongs to pre-Mughal period which can be recognised from its typical architectural design. It is about 25Kms away from Dhubri Town. It may be mentioned that Rangamati area was once a very prosperous during thereign of the Koch rulers.It was also frontier post of the Koch rulers. During Mughal regime Rangamati was a great fort of the invading Mughal Army. This unique Mosque was used as a prayer place by the Mohmmedan Soldiers. There is also a Idgah and a deep Well which were also constructed during the same period.


Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary


In the year 1994, Chakrasila Hill Reserve Forest was declared as Chakrasila Hill Wildlife Sanctuary by the Govt.of India covering an area of 4558.7 hectares of land. The distribution of varities of plant species in Chakrasila provides diverse niches for many Wild Life. The Significant Golden Langur exists in Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary in addition to other mammals plike Leopard, Leopard cat, Porcupine, Pangoline, Flying Squirrel, Civet cat etc.Adjutants Stork, Indian Owl, Myna, Parrakit, Dove, Hornbil, Jungle Fowl, Kingfisher, Harren, Darter, Snipe, Teal etc. are the birds commonly found. Python, Monitor, Crait, Cobra, Turtle, Tead and frog are some reptiles and amphibians that are also found.

Tourist Places in Assam

Tourist Places in Assam:

Kamakhya Temple:

The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the most venerated Shakti shrines in India, and is regarded as one of the Shakti Peethams associated with the legend of Shiva and Daksha Yagna.

Kamakhya is located on a hill - Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri near the city of Guwahati in Assam. Shakti, residing on the Kamagiri hill is known as Kamakhya, the granter of desires. Assam traditionally has been known as the Kamarupa Desa and has been associated with Tantric practices and Shakti worship.

This temple was destroyed in early 16th century, and then rebuilt in the 17th century by King Nara Narayana, of Cooch Bihar. Images of the builder and related inscriptions are seen in the temple.

The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Shiva, and the giver of salvation.

Legend has it that following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice and the Rudra Tandava of Shiva parts of Sati's body fell at several places throughout India, and these places are revered as Shakti peethas. The reproductive organ of Sati, (the Yoni) is said to have fallen here.

Legend also has it that the supreme creative power of Bhrahma was challenged by Shakti, the mother Goddess, and that Bhrahma could thereafter create, only with the blessings of the Yoni, as the sole creative principle. After much penance, Bhrahma brought down a luminous body of light from space and placed it within the Yoni circle, which was created by the Goddess and placed at Kamarupa.

The temple has a beehive like shikhara. Some of the sculptured panels seen here are of interest. There are images of Ganesha, Chamundeswari, dancing fitures etc.


There is no image of Shakti here. Within a corner of a cave in the temple, there is a sculptored image of the Yoni of the Goddess, which is the object of reverence. A natural spring keeps the stone moist.

Other temples on the Neelachala hill include those of Tara, Bhairavi, Bhuvaneswari and Ghantakarna.

Location: Kamakhya is located on a hill - Neelachala Parvat or Kamagiri near the city of Guwahati in Assam.

The Festivals at Kamrupa Kamakhya

Ambubasi / Ambubachi (Ameti)

A unique festival observed here is the Ambubasi (Ameti) fertility festival. It is believed that, the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period during this period. At that time the temple is closed for three days and opened with great festivity on the fourth day. It is believed to be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds, during this period.

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is celebrated annually during Navaratri (Durga Puja in West Bengal) in the month of September- October. It is a three day festival attracting several visitors.


Sightseeing near Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati

Guwahati Zoo

One must visit the Guwahati Zoo, which is the largest natural zoo of the country.

Shiva Temple

The Shiva temple of Umananda, reached by motor boats and public ferries from Umananda Ghat, stands on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra.

Navagraha Temple

Atop a hill in east Guwahati is the Navagraha temple - the "temple of nine planets," - an ancient seat of astrology and astronomy. Housed in a red beehive-shaped dome, the central lingam is encircled by further nine representing the planets (graha) - Sun (Surya, Ravi), Moon (Chandra, Soma), Mercury (Buddh), Venus (Sukra), Mars (Mangal), Jupiter (Brhaspati) and Saturn (Sani). Two more were added, Rahu and Ketu, the dragon's head and the dragon's tail, or the ascending and descending nodes of the moon.

Vashistha Ashram

At a distance of 12 km from the railway station is the Vashistha Ashram (the abode of sage Vashistha), an interesting old shrine, with plenty of greenness and three beautiful streams, Lalita, Kanta and Sandhya. Several other temples like the Ugratara temple, famous for its golden idol and buffalo sacrifices, are also spread across the city.

Bhubaneshwari Temple

Above Kamakhya is another small temple, Bhubaneshwari, from where one can have a bird's eye view of the Guwahati.

Majuli Island

Assam is famous for Majuli, the world's largest river island. Majuli is situated amidst the Brahmaputra River and accessible by ferry from the tea estate town of Jorhat.

The total area of Majuli has been steadily decreasing due to strong erosion of the river Brahmaputra. Majuli is the centre of Vaishnava ‘Satra’ culture and known for the numerous satras, or Vaishnavite monasteries set up in the 16th century by the revivalist leader, Sankaradeva. UNESCO has recently notified the island as 'World Heritage Site' for its unique preservation of Vaishnavite culture. There are about 22 Satras in Majuli. Some of the major Satras are Kamalabari, Natun Kamalabari, Auniati, Garmur, Samoguri, Dakhinpat and Bengenaati.

The Satras give a projection into dance forms, literature and classical studies, antiques, mask craft and other aspects of Assam’s culture heritage. Auniati is famous for its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts. Upper Majuli is the centre of a living heritage of colourful costumes and festivals. Members of the Mishing tribe that came from Arunachal Pradesh live here, and are renowned for their woven Mirizen shawls and blankets. A large variety of migratory birds can also be seen here.

Majuli island has an area of about 1080 sq. kms. And is located in the Brahmaputra Valley, Assam state. Majuli enjoys the privilege of being the largest river island in the world. Crested in the bosom of the mighty Brahmaputra and fondly tucked up by Lohit and Khabalu with loving care. It is listed in the UNESCO as world Heritage Site.

Majuli`s individual distinctiveness is that it is not uphill, down dale, snow capped mountains or warbling mountain springs which put a tourist into the thrall in Majub, but it is the freedom of the wind, the freedom of the rivers, the vistas of freedom opening up one after another, the freedom of the birds and the pristine primitiveness, simplicity and innocence of the people living for centuries at close proximity of nature that sways, excites and thrifis the imagination of the tourists.

During the monsoon, the rivers swell and vast tracts of land are submerged. The old and the young and even children steer clear on their rowing boats to safe destinations. No one seems scared of the swelling torrents and no depths seem unchartered water for them. At night wild geese and ducks fly in flocks high above one's head to far-away destinations. Wild birds of a thousand ldnds- local as well as migratory swarm the heels and rivers in Majuli.

There are islands within islands in Majuli and like a capricious woman quickly changing her mood; the landmass keeps changing its shape after every summer. Its beauty reminds a visitor of the shifting reality of the rainbow. .
Best time to visit - autumn and winter.

Access
Majuli is just 20 Kms away from Jorhat. To visit Majuli, one has to Vail the bus or hired taxi service up to Nimati Steamer Ghat and from there embark a Steamer or rowing boat.

Where to Stay ?
Circuit House, Govt. Inspection Bungalo and the Xatras with prior arrangement.