People & culture
Guwahati is Assam’s biggest and most important city, located on
the
banks of the mighty Brahmaputra
river. This city is considered to be the gateway to the north–eastern region of
India.
Guwahati was once known as ‘Pragjyotish pura’ or the ‘Eastern city of Lights’, and finds mention in the famous Hindu epic, Mahabharat. This city is famous for being the seat of numerous ancient Hindu temples, which are scattered in and around this place. Some of these worth mentioning are the Kamakhya, Navagraha and Umananda temples, which are important pilgrim centres. The famous wildlife sanctuary Manas and the National Park Kaziranga, as well as the Assam State Zoo, Museum and Botanical Gardens are some other well known places located in and around Guwahati. These places attract tourists in large numbers every year. The river Brahmaputra divides the city into two towns – the Southern part simply known as Guwahati and the Northern part known as North Guwahati. However, most of the places of tourist interest as well as the offices, are located in the southern section.
Over the years, Guwahati has developed at a fast rate. As the capital of Assam, it has become an important service centre for oil industry and tea plantations. It has also become famous for hosting the world’s largest tea auctions.
TEZPUR
Tezpur is one of the important towns of Assam, which is quite well known for being the centre of Assam’s tea industry. Infact this was the place where Assam’s first tea plantations were carried out. It was Mr. C.M. Bruce who pioneered the tea industry in Assam, and which has now become famous all over the world.
Situated on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river, Tezpur even today, sports a colonial look. It is an amalgamation of the old and new, which is clearly visible in the old English churches and houses amongst the newly developed structures. Architecturally too, this town holds lot of importance as it houses some ancient temples like the Mahabhairava temple, and ruins of the Gupta sculptures. Tezpur is located at a distance of 180 km. north–east of Guwahati.
JORHAT
Jorhat is the gateway of Upper Assam and an important tea centre of this region. This place also serves as a stopover for tourists, who want to visit the Majuli Island of Assam – the largest river Island in the world.
Jorhat also has a rich cultural heritage. It is known for being an important centre for the Assames Vaishnava Culture. In the month of November every year, Jorhat becomes the venue for the Assam Tea Festival. There are also a few famous monasteries and ‘Satras’ located here, which attract people from far and wide.
SIBSAGAR
Sibsagar was once the ancient capital of the Ahom Dynasty, who ruled for 600 years, before the British finally took over the power. Today this town stands as the district headquarters of the largest tea and oil producing area in the North – East. The tea industry here provides employment to scores of tribals, namely the Santhals and the Oraons, who were brought here by the British from central India.
Sibsagar is famous for a huge lake, constructed by the famous Ahom Queen Madambika in 1734 which is located at the centre of the town. The well–known ‘Shivadol Temple’ is situated on the banks of this lake. It is famous for being one of the highest Shiva temples in India, standing at a height of 33 m.
Sibsagar also has a number of interesting places to visit, most notable of which are the 18th century ruins of the palaces of Kareng Ghar and Talatal Ghar. The tombs of the Ahom rulers lie at Charaideo hill, about 28 km. east of town.
SILCHAR
Silchar lies at the banks of the Barak river at the southern extremity. This place connects Assam with the rest of India and is an important transportation centre.
DIGBOI
When the oil fields of Upper Assam were first exploited in 1879 . Digboi came into the lime light. It is known as Assam’s Oil City and has some of the oldest oil wells in India, where drilling began in 1888 and the wells came on stream in 1892. Thus came up the first refinery in 1900.
Digboi, even today has a lot of potential as far as its oil reserves are concerned. It is the seat of a hundred years old oil field, still producing oil, and the world,s oldest operating oil refinery. They represent the modern wonders of the world.
HAFLONG
This is a beautiful hamlet of southern Assam, which is the only hill station of this region. Haflong is quite popular for a place known as Jatinga. Located at a distance of 9 Km. south of Haflong, this place is visited by flocks of migrating birds during the September nights that are said to come to commit suicide. But actually, these birds get attracted to the lights in the villages while passing over them. They then land and are eventually caught and eaten by the villagers.
Haflong has a mixed population of Hmar, Mizo and Naga people who live together in harmony giving this place an aura of friendliness and peace. It is located at a distance of 85 km. north of Silchar.
SUALKASHI
Sualkashi is an important silk producing centre is Assam, which is quite famous for producing excellent quality of silk. Silk like Muga, Endi or Tassar are woven by the villagers, all of whom are practically involved in this process. Moreover, the silk produced here is priced 30% cheaper than that produced in Guwahati. Sualkashi is also famous for its brassware.
This place is situated 32 Km. south of Guwahati and is easily approachable through the ferry services operating across the river Brahmaputra.
HAJO
Hajo is an important pilgrimage centre for different religions, which is situated at the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river. This place holds immense religious importance as it is frequented by the Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims alike. The ‘Hayagriba Madhab’ temple – one of the best known of the Hindu temples, is visited by the Hindu devotees, while the Buddhists believe that the Buddha attained Nirvana here.
There is also a famous Muslim Mosque known as ‘Pao Mecca, which is held in high esteem by the Muslim pilgrims since the Mosque is believed to have one quarter i.e., ¼ (pao) of the sanctity of Mecca. It was built by Pir Ghiasuddin Aulia.
Hajo is also well known for its Bell metal work produced here. It is at a distance of 24 kms. from Guwahati.
MAJULI
Majuli is the world's biggest riverine island, which is nestled in the lap of the Brahmaputra river. This picturesque place is quite famous for being the centre of the Vaishnava ‘Satra’ culture, founded by the Assamese poet, composer and philosopher Sri Sankaradev in the 15th century. Today, only 22 satras are preserved here, which function as centres for Assamese Art. Of these, some notable ones are : Bengenaati Satra, Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Anuiati Satra, Gaamurh Satra and Shamaguri Satra.