GoneindiaAssam

Assam in North Eastern India offers the visitor a different look at India and her tribal's. To the south of the Eastern Himalayas this humid state offers some real treats for the animal lover at Orang N.P. and Kazaringa N.P. Bison, Swamp Deer or Barasingha, Hog Deer, Sloth Bears, Tigers, Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, Otters, Hog Badgers, Capped Languor, Hoolock Gibbons, Wild Boar, Jackal, Wild Buffalo, Pythons, Monitor Lizards are just some of the animas one may glimpse on a trip to either park.

both can easily be reached in a day from Guwahati and offer several accommodation options

Guwahati "the gateway to the North East" lies on one of the holy rivers; The Brahmaputra. A large bustling town it offers a few gems for the curious, such as the Kamakhya temple, one of the foremost shrines for Tantri Shakti worship. Even today animal sacrifices are made to appease the goddess.

The Shiva temple of Umananda, sits staunch in the middle of the Brahmaputra and can be reached only by motor launch.

Located on a hill in east Guwahati is the very interesting Navagraha temple - the "temple of nine planets," which is revered as 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.

Around Guwahati there are several plces worth a mention, Sualkuchi is famous for it's silk weaving. Almost the village is involved in producing the three qualities of silk for which Assam is rightly famous.

Hajo located 32 kms. from Guwahati on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, it is a place where three religions meet - Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism.

There are numerous temples from all the religions including Poa-Mecca

a mosque built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia and is held that it has one-fourth sanctity of Mecca and so it is known as Poa-Mecca. It is believed that by offering prayer a faithful gains one-fourth (poa) spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca and so is known as Poa-Mecca. As such this is an important pilgrimage spot for Muslims

Other places of note include Majuli said to be the largest river island in the world. The island at some 886 square Kilometers houses some important monasteries, namely fifteen Vaishnava monasteries or satras. The major satras are Kamalabari, Natun Kamalabari, Auniati, Garmur, Samoguri, Dakhinpat and Bengenaati. These satras are regarded as the main centres for Assamese art, music, dance, drama, handicrafts, literature and religion etc. Auniati is famous for its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts.

Visit the tribals and an orchid center at Haflong Assams's only hill station. At Jatinga just 9 Kms away has the rather unusual sight of birds 'committing mass suicide' from August to December you can witness this inexplicable phenomenon.

Tezpur, known as Sonitpur (city of blood) is surrounded by tea gardens and mighty hills and offers exquisite archeological remains. In 1942, for the first time in entire British India, the tricolor (Indian flag) was hoisted in the police station at Gahpur, a quiet mofussil town under Sonitpur district. Fourteen year old Kanaklata braved British bullets and died holding the national flag aloft.

If rafting is your thing well look no further than Bhalukpung on the river Jia Bharali.

Diphu is the centre of Karbi art and culture. The indigenous tribe of karbi Anglong, the Karbis, are well known for their hospitality and colourful culture.

Or take a trip on the Jatinga Train Safari.

At Digboi the oldest oilfields in the world, you can find a facinating museum of years gone by in this mining town, founded by a British engineer. The town stillretains some of that British atmosphere.

In Dibrugarh district, Namphakiyal village offers an interesting insight into the lives of Tai Phake tribals Tai Phake is the branch of the great Tai race, which entered Assam in the latter half of the 18th century. They came through the Patkai range and lived in Mogoung (now in Myanmar) till 1700 A.D. As such they are more akin to Thai people than Indian.

At Sibsagar, feast your eyes on the mighty 257 acre tank also called Borpukhuri, or the ampitheatre called Rang Ghar., the banks of the tank are adorned with three temples or Dols as they are known in Assamese. the most prominant being Sivadol

Nearbye Garhgaon, the ancient capital of the Ahom kingdom. is only 13 Kms away. Visit t.he Raja's audience hall, called, solang

There are also many cruises offered by the Assam Bengal Navigation Company. Which offers a uniquie and relaxed way of seeing what Assam has to offer. You'll find all their cruises HERE

Assam will charm the senses and you might not see another white face for days at a time. All the more reason to go, don't you think?

Places of Interest

Wildlife Parks

Kaziranga

Orang

Tourist Attractions

Special Interest