The state of Assam is one of the most worth visiting destinations in the northeastern hemisphere of the Indian subcontinent. This state comprises the Barak and Brahmaputra river valleys along with the misty North Cachar and Karbi Anglong hills. Famous for the vast tea plantation, the state of Assam is also known for its rich biodiversity, petroleum resources, and silk production. The rich wildlife sanctuaries of Kaziranga and Manas are the main tourist attraction and World Heritage Sites of this state. The beautiful valleys, sky encroaching mountains, picturesque landscapes, dense forests, and succulent cuisines never ever disappoint the tourists visiting this magnificent land.
Major Cities in Assam
Dispur:Â The city of Dispur is the capital city of Assam and one of the major tourists attracted destinations in this state. As the city is the seat of the Assam Government, one gets to see several magnificent government offices in this city. Some of the important buildings here include the Assam Secretariat, State Emergency Operations Center, Assam Assembly House, and the NABARD Assam Regional Office. The other major attractions of this city include Shilpagram, which is famous for its cultural and handicraft heritage of Assam and the other northeastern states. Some of the worth seeing collections in Shilpagram include silk sarees, carpets, metal and wooden handicrafts, ethnic jewellery, and other antique objects. The Basistha Ashram famous for its Shiv temple and the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra are other attractions of this city.
Guwahati: The city of Guwahati is the largest city in Assam and one of the largest metropolitan areas in northeastern India. The city is also referred to as the “Gateway of North Eastern Region”. This city is also one of the oldest known cities and was an important region under the Varman rule. Several archaeological excavations carried out here depict this region as one of the well planned and economically important cities. Some of the major tourists attracted destinations here include Kamakhya Temple, Peacock Island, Garchuk Lachit Garh, Doul Govinda Temple, Lankeshwar Temple, Chandubi Lake, Navagraha Temple, Nehru Park, Assam State Museum, Umandanda Temple, River Cruise, Guwahati War Cemetery, Beltola Bazaar, Ganeshguri, Pan Baazar, Paltan Bazaar, Fancy Bazaar, Guwahati Planetarium, Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, Dighalipukhuri, and the Ugro Tara Temple.
Tezpur: The city is one of the culturally important cities in Assam and is well known as the “Cultural Capital of Assam”. Tezpur is situated on the banks of the river Brahmaputra and is one of the ancient cities in the northeastern hemisphere of India. The presence of this city can be found in many ancient Hindu scriptures, including the famous epic Mahabharata. Several excavations in this region have found ruins from the 8th and 9th centuries. Some of the interesting and worth visiting destinations here include the ruins of Bamuni Hills, ruins of Da Parbatia, Tezpur Balipara Light Railway, Hazara Pukhuri, Agnigarh, Cole Park, Bhairabi Temple, Mahabhairav Temple, Kolia Bhomora Setu, Rudrapath, Ketakeshwar Temple, Nag Shankar, Padum Pukhuri, Nameri National Park, Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Eagle Nest Bird Sanctuary.
Sibsagar:Â Blessed with natural beauty, heritage sites, historical monuments, and holy pilgrim destinations, the city of Sibsagar is one of the perfect tourist destinations in the state of Assam. The city is one of the oldest cities and served as the capital of Ahom Kingdom from 1699 to 1788 AD. The city thus possesses several Ahom palaces that attract a huge number of tourists from all over the world. Some of the major attractions of this city include impressive tanks of Rudrasagar, Gaurisagar, and Joysagar; some of the most sacred temples of Devidoul, Sivadoul, and Vishnudoul, a magnificent amphitheatre named Rang Ghar; the Talatal Ghar, which is a seven floored building with impressive architecture; Sivasagar Tai Museum, which holds several ancient swords, manuscripts, goblets, clothes, etc.; Panidihing Bird Sanctuary; and the Namdang stone bridge.
Jorhat: The city of Jorhat is one of the important cities in Assam and acts as the gateway to upper Assam and Nagaland. The city is one of the oldest cities and served as the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom. Jorhat preserves some of the most magnificent historical monuments in Assam along with well developed urban areas, picturesque landscapes, and captivating national parks. Some of the major tourists attracted destinations here include Majuli, which is the world’s largest river island; Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar, which is an auditorium set up by saint Madhabdev in 1461; Lachit Borphukan’s Maidam is a tumulus of greatest Ahom General Lachit Borphukan; Raja Maidam is a tumulus of the last Ahom King, Purandar Sinha; Jorhat Gymkhana Club, which was built by British in 1876 and is famous for its oldest golf course in Asia; Chandrakanta Handique Bhavan; Thengal Bhavan; Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary; and the Kaziranga National Park.
Dibrugarh:Â Dibrugarh is one of the affluent cities in the state of Assam and has some of the most fascinating tourist attractions. The city of Dibrugarh is a well-planned city with some of the best research centres, historical monuments, national parks, and pilgrim destinations. Some of the worth visiting destinations in this city include the Jokai Botanical Garden and Germplasm Center (which holds some of the rare and endangered species of fauna), Dibru Saikhowa National Park (rich evergreen, tropical moist deciduous forest and grassland that is home to numerous endangered wildlife species), Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary (one of the well-known elephant reserves with World War II cemeteries nearby), Koli Aai Thaan (a famous tourist spot dedicated to Koli Aai, who was the daughter of the head priest of the Dibaru Satra of Assam), Namphake Village (famous for its beautiful Buddhist monastery and Ashoka Pillar), Dehing Namti Satra, Dinjoy Satra, Moderkhat Satra, Garpara Satra, Raidangia Dol, Barbara Maidam, and many more.
Must-Visit Destinations in Assam
Kaziranga National Park:Â The national park is one of the World Heritage sites and a must-visit destination in the state of Assam. The Kaziranga National Park hosts the great one-horned rhinoceroses and attracts a huge number of tourists all over the world every year. Apart from rhinos, this national park is a major tiger reserve and boasts the highest density of tigers in the world. The park is also well known for several wild lives including swamp deer, wild water buffalo, elephants, gaur, sambar, hog deer, wild boar, leopards, golden jackals, Indian Pangolin, Indian grey mongoose, jungle cat, and many others. Apart from wild animals, the national park is also famous as a major bird sanctuary.
Manas National Park:Â The national park is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its rare and beautiful flora and fauna. The park hosts some of the endangered wild lives such as the golden langur, Assam roofed turtle, pygmy hog, and the hispid hare. Apart from these endangered species, the park is home to several other animals including the Indian tigers, Chital, Capped Langurs, Slow Loris, Black Panther, Sambar deer, smooth-coated otters, leopards, Asian elephants, clouded leopards, Asian golden cat, Asian water buffaloes, Sloth Bears, and many more. Apart from animals, the national park also houses around 450 different species of birds.
Majuli:Â Majuli is the largest river island in the world and is situated in the Brahmaputra river. This island covers a total area of around 1250 square kilometres and is mainly formed due to the course changes by the river and its tributaries. The village of Majuli is rich with culture and heritage and has been the cultural capital of Assamese civilization for more than five hundred years. Some of the major tourist attractions here include the Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Garamurh Satra, Auniati Satra, Benegenaati Satra, Shamaguri Satra, Vaishnava Satras, the enchanting culture of the tribes, pottery making, and the sunset during winters.
Hajo:Â This is one of the most famous pilgrim destinations for Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists. Hajo is situated on the banks of the river Brahmaputra and is around 24 kilometres from the city of Guwahati. Many of the temples in Hajo are said to be constructed during the reign of Ahom King Pramatta Singha. Some of the major attractions here include the Kedareshwara temple (temple dedicated to Lord Shiva), Hayagriva Madhava Temple (the temple is constructed in the 6th century by the King Raghudeva Narayan of Pala dynasty), and the Hajo Powa Mecca (well known Muslim pilgrim destination).
Assam offers discrete tourist attractions which will definitely enchant you with its glory. Apart from the above-mentioned tourist attractions, the state of Assam is well known for its tea plantation and offers a pleasant view of its cultivation. Visiting this state will definitely impress you and make you experience its scenic as well as cultural beauty.
