Assam is one of the states of North East India which was known as Pragjyotishpur in the ancient era. Basically, Assam is a valley which is covered and surrounded by hills. This state is directly connected to the mainland India and it is the only gateway to all the other six states of North East except Sikkim.
Guwahati is the capital city of Assam and hub of all business, education and medical, in terms. Lying beside the legendary river Brahmaputra, Guwahati city has its own beauty and attractions. Famous Shaktipith KAMAKHYA TEMPLE is situated on a small hill called Nilachal inside the city. Apart from Kamakhya, it has many temples like Nabagraha temple, Bashisthashram, Doul-Gobinda temple, Balaji temple etc. Umananda is the temple of shiva which is situated on a small island of River Brahmaputra near Guwahati.
Just about 48 kms away from Guwahati city there is a place called Kukurmara where a very nice view of river dolphins can be seen in Kulsi, a tributary river of Brahmaputra.
Very near to Guwahati, Suwalkuchi is the village famous for Assam silk and Muga silk. The vibrant color of Assam silk shines with the golden Muga silk in the entire village, thus justifying its name as the ‘silk village’ of Assam.
The MADAN KAMDEV in Hajo, which is just 45 Km away from the heart of the city is one of the temples which resembles closely to Khajuraho. The ruins of the place speaks that Assam is a place where human habitation started as early as 10 B.C. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Madan Kamdev temple is situated in the Dewangiri hill of Kamrup district, a place of utmost scenic beauty with abundance of greenery all around and erotic carved images and sculptures, which attracts tourist around.
Kaziranga national park is one of the main attractions of Assam, which is 430 sq km large and is in Golaghat district of Assam. It is famous for the world’s precious one horned Rhinoceros. Apart from the rhinos, this park is rich with numbers of wild Elephants, wild buffalos, Royal Bengal Tigers and Deer’s along with more than 500 species of birds. Kaziranga is home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world, and was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006.
In Kaziranga, people can have the opportunity to go for Elephant ride, Jeep safaris and Boat Safaris in different ranges of the park which is conducted by the forest department of the state.
Apart from Kaziranga National park the green valley have many more National parks and wildlife sanctuaries too, which are Manas National park, Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Nameri national park and Orang National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Bura-Chapori Wildlife sanctuary, Nambor wildlife sanctuary, Pani-Dihing Wildlife sanctuary, Deepor Beel wildlife sanctuary, Chakrasila wildlife sanctuary, Sonai Rupai wildlife sanctuary, Dihing-Patkai wildlife sanctuary etc.
Majuli, the world’s largest inhabited freshwater island, is a special attraction for the tourist, one can visit the island and can have a glimpse of the Local Tribal culture (Missing Tribe) along with the Satra culture of Vaishnavites which was created by the Assamese community Saint, Srimanta Shankardev, who was a poet, writer, socio-religious reformer, and so much more. For communication between the island and the mainland, people use ferry in the river Brahmaputra.
Sibsagar is one of the districts of Assam which was the capital of AHOM dynasty who established the concept of great Assam. Ahom dynasty was established by Sukaphaa, a Tai prince who came into the Brahmaputra valley in 1228 after crossing the Patkai mountains and ruled the area for six centuries. Which is considered as the longest period in Indian History. The rule of this dynasty ended with the Burmese invasion of Assam and the subsequent annexation by the British East India Company following the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826. Sibsagar is still carrying the large history of Ahom dynasty with the palaces, monuments, ancient temples and sea size ponds made by the ahom kings.
Haflong is a land so breathtakingly beautiful, that this hill station has been nicknamed the ‘Switzerland of the East’. It is the only hill station in Assam where one can see the rainbow down below. About 112 km from Haflong is Umrangso, known for its huge Hydel plant, which has come up under North East Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO). Near Umrangso, is a hot spring (GARAMPANI), the water of which is believed to have medicinal value. Approximately 120 km away from Haflong, and 8-10 km from Haflong Tiniali is where the Kopili River turns into a thrilling waterfall, rolling over the rocks of Panimoor, creating one of the most dazzling falls in the area.Other beautiful places of North Cachar Hills include Pathar Nalla waterfalls, Khorongma, Laisong, Semkhor, Gunjung, Harangajao, Khrungming Reserve Forests, etc. It is an ideal place to relax and chill.
Another most interesting attraction for the tourist is Jatinga, also popular in the name of “the valley of death for birds”, where migratory birds come and commit suicide. The months of August to November, this place attracts migratory birds from all over. The birds die as they get attracted towards the burning fire lighted by the villagers; however it is still not understood why the same birds are not disoriented by torches and street lamps. There is still ongoing research into this phenomenon.
Assam is world famous for the highest tea production. Tea gardens of the Greenland is purely fresh and mesmerizing at first look itself. The whole upper Assam is covered with Tea gardens. Tea tours can be one of the special attractions for the tourist. Tourist can have the opportunity to stay at special British tea bungalows. These Tea Bungalows used to be the managers quarters earlier, which now a days used as heritage guest houses by the authority. Factory visit also can be possible at some Tea gardens.
The oldest (1882) and one of the largest (65 sq.km) oil-field in India at Digboi in Tinsukia district of Assam, is still in production. Duliajan is also an oil town of Assam which is near to Digboi.
Namphake or Tai-phake village is in Dibrugarh District of Assam. With near about 150 families, it is the largest Tai-phake village of Assam. The Monastry of the village is one of the oldest and most respected Budhist Monastry of Assam. All the people of the village are Budhist in religion. The village folks speaks a language called Tai which is similar to the language of Thailand and still follow the customs and dress code of great Tai race.
The Singpho are a tribe who inhabiting in India, China and Myanmar. In India these people reside in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in the district of Lohit and Changlang and in Assam inhabits in the district of Tinsukia and scattered in some other district like Sivasagar, Jorhat and Golaghat. The Singpho are the same people as those called the Kachin in Burma and the Jingpo in China. They speak the Singpho dialect of the Jingpo language. In Margherita few singfo people have set up a cute eco lodge in Ingthong village, are conducting packaged tours and showcasing the culture and way of life of their community. Their organic traditional tea and food are typically appetizing and unique.
Food habits of the Assamses people are purely organic, depended on its own paddy fields, poultry and fishery. Rice is the main food of Assam. Mostly people are non-vegetarian and Love to eat Fish, Duck, Pork etc with lots of herbs and vegetables which is totally different from the Pan-Indian food culture. Each community of the state have their own typical food preparation and combination of that makes the whole appetizing Assamese food.
Assam is a center of mixed culture of Aryan and Non-Aryan tribes, Tea-tribes and their lifestyle signifies the great Assamese community. Welcome to Assam and explore the unexplored.