Tourism in Assam

Location of Assam 

Assam is situated in between the foothills of Himalayas to the north and the hills and plateau of Meghalaya to the south. It is an attractive state with miles of smooth, flat roads coursing through jungle and vibrant villages. One of India's few oil regions (Digboi), Assam also produces more than half of the nation's tea. The British, with one golf club for every fifteen estates to relieve the tea planters' boredom and loneliness, laid down most of its eight hundred tea estates. Today Assam is recognised as one of the major tourist destinations in North East India. 

Pilgrimage Tourism in Assam 

As a part of the India it is quite natural to be endowed with a number of places of worship and Assam is no exception. In fact, it is one of the important pilgrimage sites for Hindus as well as Muslims. Assam's busy capital, Guwahati boasts one of India's most important Kali temples-- Kamakhya and Navagraha both occupy commanding hilltop positions. On the commanding Nilachal Hill, overlooking the river, 8 km west of the centre, stands the Kali temple of Kamakhya. With its beehive-shaped shikhara, it is a fine example of the distinctive Assamese style of architecture.

Poa Mecca, meaning a quarter of Mecca, also known as Barmagam, is a place of pilgrimage for the Muslims, situated atop the Garurachala Hills. An Iraqi Prince turned Preacher, Ghiyasuddin Auliya, is said to have built the mosque here in the 12th century A. D. It is held by the Muslims that the preacher had brought a lump of earth from Mecca and enshrined the same at a spot where the mosque was built at a later period. It is believed that by offering prayer, a faithful gains one-fourth (Poa) spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca and so this place is known as Poa-Mecca. 

As one of the 'shakti peethas', it marks the place where Sati's yoni (vulva) landed when her body fell to earth in 51 pieces and is one of the three most important Tantric temples in India. Animal sacrifice is part of the ritual here and lambs are bathed in the ceremonial tank before being led to slaughter behind the temple hall. Stalls leading to the temple sell trinkets and a short walk up the hill brings lead to a smaller temple with wonderful views of Guwahati and the Brahmaputra. East of the town centre, atop another hill, is the Navagraha Temple (Guwahati) - the "temple of the nine planets", an ancient seat of astrologyand astronomy 

It is laid with wonderful acoustics.Housed in a single red dome, the central lingam is encircled by a further eight representing the planets, each lit by clusters of candles. A small Ganesh shrine guards the entrance to the inner sanctum and the lingam represent, clockwise: the Moon (Chandra), Mars (Mangal), the Dragon's Head (Rahu), Saturn (Shani), the Dragon's Tail (Ketu), Jupiter (Brihaspati), Mercury (Budha) and Venus (Shukra). 

The Shiva Temple of Umananda, Guwahati stands on Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. Its location, at the top of a steep flight of steps is, however, more dramatic than the temple itself. Around the shrine rare-golden langurs roam about freely. Ferries leave regularly from Kachari and Umananda Ghat. 

In the Panjabari district, near Guwahati, lie the Satras that are important to the Vaishnavites, followers of lord Vishnu or Vaishnavism. It was founded in Assam by Sankaradeva. 

Hajo, 2 km north of Guwahati, is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims, worth seeing for its religious temples including the Hindu Hayagriva -Madhava Mandir. Muslims believe that visiting the Poa Mecca, Hajo here four times in a time is equivalent to a pilgrimage to Mecca. It was built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia. The word 'poa' means one-fourth. There are 22 satras on Majuli in Upper Assam. the satra - a temple, monastery, school and centre for the arts where poetry, folk music, literature, sculpture and dance are explored - consists of a prayer hall surrounded by living quarters for devotees, and ghats for bathing. The Satras here include Dakhinpat Satra, Garamurh Satra, Auniati Satra, Bengenaati Satra, Shamaguri Satra, Batadrawa Satra, Barpeta Satra and Kirtanghar. The monks offer the visitors tea and they can sometimes sit in through the prayer meetings in their meditation hall. 4 kilometers further west at Auniati, another satra keeps royal artefacts from the Ahom kingdom and has an interesting collection of Assamese handicrafts and jewellery. 

Basistha Ashram in the Guwahati city is nestled on the Sandhyachal hill. It belongs to the ancient sage Bashistha. it is situated at a distance of 2 kilometers from the city's railway station. Buses are easily available to reach this place. 

Another pilgrim attraction in Assam is the Mahabhairab Temple, around Guwahati city. it is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This shrine is well known for its antiquity and was built by King Bana. It is considered one the oldest Shiva temples in Indiaand numerous devotees throng the temple during Shiva Ratri. 

Madan Kamdev is situated 40 kilometers away from Guwahati. A lot of mystery is associated with this particular shrine as quite little is known about its origin. Da-Parbatia Temple in Tezpur is, presently in ruins. It is one of the outstanding examples of iconoclastic art of Assam. Two idols of goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna at the door jambs are seen elegantly decorated with ornamental foliage. 

Madan Kamdev temple is situated 40 kilometres away from Guwahati. A lot of mystery is associated with this particular shrine, as quite little is known about its origin. Da-Parbatia Temple in Tezpur is, presently in ruins. It is one of the outstanding examples of iconoclastic art ofAssam. Two idols of goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna at the doorjambs are seen elegantly decorated with ornamental foliage. A few kilometres away from Silchar (Cachar District) lies an important temple called the Bhuban Temple. the place is swarmed by visitors during Dol Purnima(Holi) and Shiva Ratri. There is a "pushkarni" or the lake near this temple where the devotees take a dip and from here they carry water to offer to the Shiva linga. The linga is placed within a cave temple. 

Nature Tourism in Assam 

The presence of Brahmaputra has blessed the state with a favourable flora and fauna. As a result, a number of wildlife parks and sanctuaries thrive in Assam. For nature lovers, thus, it will be an ideal destination to further explore the nature's gifts. Eco tourism is also taken care of.Kaziranga National Park is one of the premier wildlife sanctuaries in Assam. Elephants, lions, rhinoceros, migratory birds and a host of wild species are to be found here. Assam is one of those few places still surviving on the face of the earth where there is a harmonious existence of man and animal. The ashram of the Indian Sage, Vashishta is also a famous place in spending the time in solitude. 

Nature Tourism in Assam is mainly covered with forests, rubber plantations, and the mighty Brahmaputa River. Manas Tiger Reserve is a World Heritage Site. It lies 80 kilometres west of Guwahati off the NH-31 on the border with Bhutan. Reopened in 2001, the park was closed for many years because insurgency. It is worth a visit for its varied natural beauty with water buffalo grazing on expansive stretches of sand and Sal tree forests flanking the Manas River. The park is also home to 400 species of birds, capped and golden langurs, and swamp and hog deer. While entering this wildlife park the tourists may have to pay a little extra if they are carrying cameras

Nameri National Park is located 35 km north of Tezpur and is only reachable by taxi. The 200-square-kilometre park flanks the River Bharali and is a lovely, quiet place for fishing, rafting, bird-watching or guided walks in safe areas of the park. There are over 300 species of birds here, including the rare white-winged wood duck, as well as fish eagles and hornbills. You may also see deer, but the park's larger wildlife - tigers, elephants and bison - are rarely sighted. Guides can be arranged at the park entrance, while fishing and walking can be arranged via the Eco Camp. The best season to visit the park is from November to March. 

Kaziranga National Park is a World Heritage Site covering an area of 430 square kilometers on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra. The magnificent park lies 217 km east of Guwahati and occupies the vast valley floor against a backdrop of the Karbi Anglong hills. Its rivulets, shallow lakes and the semi-evergreen forested highlands blend into marshes and flood plains covered with tall elephant grass. A visit here, especially in the early morning, is an exhilarating experience and visitors will likely see elephants, deer, wild buffalo and the park's famous one-horned rhino - numbering around 1500. Though its estimated 80 tigers are very elusive, driving through the park's landscape of open savannah grassland interspersed with dense jungle is a wonderful experience. The abundant birdlife includes egrets, herons, storks, fish eagles, kingfishers and a grey pelican colony. 

The rhinoceros is best seen from the back of an elephant. They seem oblivious to camera-clicking tourists, although like the unpredictable wild buffalo, they're equipped with lethal horns and are potentially ferocious. Jeeps will take you deeper into the forest than elephants but they cannot get nearly as close to the rhinos. 

Kaziranga Park is open from November to early April. During the monsoons (June-September), the Brahmaputra bursts its banks, flooding the low-lying grasslands and causing animals to move to higher ground within the park. 

About 60 km north of Dibrugarh lies the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park that is rich in birdlife and popular for its wild horses. 

Leisure Tourism in Assam 

Plaited by mountains and rivulets Assam is truly a place to spend the leisurely hours. In between, these relaxed hours the travellers can drop in at the important places of interest to know grasp in more about the history and culture of this north-eastern Indian state. Guwahati, Tezpur, Majuli Island, Sibsagar, Dibrugarh, Silchar and others are the popular tourist spots in Assam. Adventure sports are an integral part of Assam tourism. 

Trekking, motorcycle tours and Brahmaputra River cruise are some outdoor activities with which the travellers can indulge themselves. The State Government is taking all kinds of measures to popularize the adventure sports in Assam. Annual competitions are organised to attract more and more people to the state from both within the country and abroad. 

The largest tribe in Assam is Bodo Tribe, Assam. They are one of the earlier settlers in Assam. Besides them, the travellers will also encounter tribes, such as, Mishing Tribes, Nishi, Dimasa Tribes, Phake, Karbi Tribes and others. Overall, there are 12 tribes in Assam. Each group has its separate set of traditions, cuisine, dress, literature and social set up. As travellers, it could be quite engrossing to know more about their lifestyles. Here the tourists can also try out the tribal cuisines. 

Small hamlets tucked away between the hills are a common sight in Assam. The tea plantations are established around the villages. The steep plantations add beauty to the adjacent villages. Several villages had grown around the tea plantations as the people of these villages mostly work in these plantations.  Assam is often referred to as the green paradise. People also view it as a wonderland. For leisure tourists this Indian state is just perfect. There are several places of interest that are waiting to be explored by the inquisitive travelers. Northeast India is completely separate from the rest of India as these states are more of a melting pot. As the travelers unravel the historical buildings and get to know more about Assam's culture they will understand why the northeastern state is so different from the rest of India. 

Assam owes its beauty not only to the scenic beauty but also to its people. the charm of the place lies the warmth and hospitality of the Assamese people. the first step to discover Assam is Guwahati. It was once upon a time known as Pragjyotishpura or the Light of the East. The origin of the this city has its roots in the era of theMahabharata. 

The first tourist destination in Assam that can provide an insight to the culture and history of Assam is the State Museum in Guwahati. It is dedicated at a 10 minutes walking distance from the railway station. During summer the museum remains open on all working days from 10am to 5pm and in winter from 10am to 4.30pm. It remains closed on Mondays. 

Then there is the Zoo and Botanical Garden. It is located 5 kilometers away from the Guwahati Railway Station. 

Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra thoroughly introduces a traveler to the culture and beliefs of the Assamese people. it has been named after the Vaishnava saint, Sankaradeva. It is also a multi arts complex. A number of cultural shows are held here. there is also a Central Museum within its campus. Artefacts of cultural interest have been displayed here. also the day to day items used by the ethnic groups have also been kept for the perusal of the tourists. an Open Air Theatre with 2000 capacity to hold folk festivals and other traditional cultural programmes has also been arranged for. within this complex the travelers can also check out the Sahitya Bhavan and the Kala Bhavan. 

Sualkuchi is the place where the world famous Assam silk is grown. Various varieties, such as, Golden Muga, the White Pat and the warm Eri are grown here. It is located at a distance of 32 kilometers from Guwahati. This village is often called the Manchester of the East. What is striking is that the entire population of the village is engaged in weaving silk fabrics. Amongst all varieties of silk that are grown here the best is Muga. The golden silk of Assam is unique to this state. 

Other than these there are several places of interest that are worth checking out. Majuli is the perfect place to gather information about Vaishnava culture. This is also the place for finding about the tribal people, such as, the Mising and the Deoris. 

Sibsagar is at a distance of 369 kms. from Guwahati. This is the primary center for producing tea and oil. The tea plantations are worth checking out. The lush green stretches of land look immensely beautiful. As one passes by these plantations they can also catch the glimpse of the tea workers. Historically too it is important as it was part of the Ahom dynasty. It was the capital of the Ahom empire. This dynasty had ruled Assam for 600 years. the beauty of the town is enhanced by the an artificial lake. 

Hilly Assam is a land of sensuousness. The mountains seem to float in the distant sky. Haflong is a famous hill station where the travelers can spend their leisurely hours. It is also the place for bird watching. The best season to visit it from August to April. Other interesting places include Borail Hills and Orchid Garden. 

Digboi is another important tourist place in Assam. It is famous for its tea gardens and wonderful blue hills. It is quite captivating with its mysterious beauty. In complete contrast to its beauty lies the War Cemetry in Digboi. 

Tezpur is also known as Sonitpur. The origin of the city is steeped in legends of princess Usha, the daughter of King Bana and prince Anirudha, the grandson of Lord Krishna for their eternal love and romance. It is a town of superb beauty. It is also an important place where archaeological excavations have been carried out. Till date Tezpur is hailed as the most beautiful state of Assam. Hence tourists from all walks of life unfailingly flock to this magnificent city. It is truly a tourist's delight with its lysh green tea gardens and high hills. The climate is soothing too. 

Bamuni Hills is a artistic town that lies around Tezpur. Besides there is the Hazara Pukhuri. Early in the 19th century a tank by the name of Harzara Varman was discovered and today it covers an area of 70 acres. 

Cole Park, Bhalukpung, Diphu and Bhomoraguri are the other places of interest in Assam that are suitable for leisure tourism.

Adventure Tourism in Assam

Adventure sports in Assam are a popular way of spending holidays. The turbulent waters of the Brahmaputra, the hilly terrains and the wilderness have made Assam a favorite of the adventure lovers. 

Jia Bhoroli, Kapili and Manas rivers are favorable spots for angling in Assam. Jia Bhoroli is the abode of the game fish, tiger fish and Golden Mahseer. 

Angling competitions are annually held at this site where anglers from all over the come to participate. This contest is organised by the State Forest Department in association with 'Assam Bhoroli Anglers Association, a sport's organisation.

Eco tourism is on a rise and almost all the states in India, blessed with Mother Nature, is providing it the much-required boost. Wildlife tours are part of the usual tourist attractions. In order to lure the adventure lovers the wilderness has been promoted as a place for camping. Places with high hills and a little rugged terrain can be used as trekking trails as well. With the interested tourists flowing in eco camps have been started in Assam as well. The eco camps are located in the vicinity of the Nameri National Park. It is the perfect getaway for the campers. All kinds of modern amenities have been arranged for the visitors in these camps. 

Assam is often referred to as a gift of Brahmaputra and in a way it truly is. It not only sustains the flora and fauna of Assam, it is also helpful for promoting the adventure sports. River cruises on Brahmaputra are challenging and exciting. The cruises start from Ninging and proceeds to Dhubri. This river is the fourth largest river in India and it would surely quite adventurous to explore the river and its rivulets. 

Boat Racing in Assam is another popular sport. In places, such as, Barpeta, Guwahati, Saulkuchi and Hajo it is organised during festivities. This sport is as popular in Assam as snake boating is in Kerala. 

River Rafting on the muddy waters of the Brahmaputra and on its tumultuous tributaries like Manas, Jia Bhoroli and Kapili would be quite exciting. The rapids also will raise the adrenalins of the adventure lovers. 

Once upon a time Golf courses were built by the British. They were primarily built around the tea plantations. However the number of the golf course have risen considerably. Anybody who is interested in this sport can avail the following 21 golf course. These are scattered in Digboi, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and other places in Assam. Most of these have air strips attached to them. 

Golf courses in Assam are as follows:- 

Bishnauth Gymkhana Club

Borsola

East Boroi Club

Mangaldai Polo and Golf Club

Thakurbari Club

North Lakhimpur Planters Club

Misa Planters Club

Jorhat Gymkhana Club

Seleng District Club Sibsagar

Sonari Gymkhana Club

Tingri Golf Club

Samdang Golf Club

Kanjikoah Golf Club

Dibrugarh and District Planters Club

Margherita Golf Club

Naharkatia Golf Club

Moran Golf Club

Zoloni Golf Club

Dhunseri Polo Club

Narengi Golf Club

Digboi Golf Club

The topography of Assam is suitable for outdoor activities, such as, Mountaineering and Trekking. The North Cachar Hills and Karbi Hills are well known for their trekking trails. A rock hill in the Morigaon District, also known as "Elephant Rocks", is the ideal spot for rock climbers. The Simhasana Hill of Karbi Anglong is also famous for rock climbing. 

Another popular adventurous sport in Assam is the Mountain Biking. The Assam Tourism Department in collaboration with The Assam Tourism Development Corporation and other adventure organizations have arranged for several competitions to popularize this sport. Bikers from all over the world visit Assam to participate in such rallies. 

Besides these the Assam government has also introduced two new sports. These are Para-Sailing and Hang Gliding. While Para-Sailing is ideally practiced in Guwahati, the ultimate places for Hang Gliding are Kamakhya Hills and hills around Kaziranga. 

Totatal Ghar 

Talatal Ghar or the Kareng Ghar (meaning the Royal Palace in Assamese) is located Rangpur. Swargadeo Rudra Singha commissioned the palace. Located in the western part of theSibsagar town this place is one of the important historical sites which has a multi-storied palace called Talatal Ghar built by Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. 

Talatal Ghar is made of brick and an indigenous type of cement which has four storied Kareng Ghar (or palace), built by Rudra Singha and his other sons. Along with the existing structure, Rajeswar Singha added three underground stories. The Talatal Ghar also had two secret underground tunnels connected to the Dikhow River and the Garhgaon Palace, which were used as escape routes in case of enemy attack. 

The name of this enduring and ancient city is registered in the history of Assam, which encloses the background of earlier times. The Sibsagar town was famous capital for the mighty rulers of Ahom dynasty. This palace also shows the Ahoms Culture in Assam. The emperors and their sovereigns ruled several empires and captured various regions from this place. The rule of the Ahoma dynasty continued for a longer span around 600 years. Later, after so many years, their rule to capture also the regions ended when the British East India Company came to India. 

In this palace, the oldest water tank is also found here which is over two hundred years old is and known as Sibsagar Tank. This amazing tank attracts several tourists form local to international who hail from various regions to countries to visit this splendid place. Around the palace, a small garden is also developed which is adorned with various plants, trees, and vivid flowers. 

Talatal Ghar often attract the visitors who can only view the ground floor and first floor and some of remaining portion of the 2nd and 3rd floor of the palace. The underground stories have been robbed and many of the wooden structure of the palace have been stolen with time. The palace is known for unique architecture, which is surrounded by a brick fortification and by an earthen fort (Garh) with dikes filled with water. There is a Khar Ghar or store house which was built to store the gun-powder and ammunition near the palace. 

Thus known for its architecture, this is one of the well-built palaces of Assam. Developed with beautiful gardens this often excites the tourists of Assam.