The state of Assam is situated on the foothills of the Himalayan range of mountains and the Meghalayan plateau. The state is particularly dominated by the presence of the Brahmaputra River, which acts as the factor of pristine beauty for this state. The countries of Bangladesh and Bhutan acts as its immediate neighbours. Guwahati also known as Pragjyotishpur or the Light of the East is the capital of Assam and acts as the gateway to the East.
5 Cool Tourist Destinations in Assam
1. The Cultural Capital of Assam – Jorhat City
Also known as the Cultural Capital of Assam, Jorhat was the last capital of the Ahom Kingdom and thus has the last burial mounds of the empire. Tourists traveling to Jorhat can witness the largest Tea research station in the country. Jorhat is also known as the Tea Capital of India. The place is inhabited by people of different culture; thus every now and then the city is seen celebrating one festival or the other making it one of the most popular travel destinations in Assam.
The most popular tour attractions of Jorhat include the Bangal Pukhuri, Thengal Manor, Burigosain Devalaya, Purnananda Buragohain Maidam, Bilvesvar Siva Temple, Magolu Khat, Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar and the Raja Maidam which lies on the south bank of River Tocklai on the northern side of Jorhat town is of the last Ahom king, Purandar Sinha, who expired on 1 October 1848. The present maidam was constructed to preserve the ashes of the last Ahom King Purandar Singha.
2. Sivasagar or the Ocean of Shiva
Shivsagar means “the Ocean of Lord Shiva” and this place is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Assam. Sivasagar, formerly known as Rangpur, was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1699 to 1788. The Ahoms ruled Assam for six centuries, until their kingdom fell to the Burmese in 1819 and their ruling class was all but wiped out. It is said that the original name of Sivasagar was ‘Kalansupar’ after the name of ‘Kalansu Gohain’ who resided in a village that originally existed in the place where currently the Sivasagar lake is located.
3. Barak Valley
The Barak Valley is situated in the southern region of the Indian state of Assam. The main city of the valley is Silchar. The region is named after the Barak river. The whole of Barak Valley is a dreamland with undulating lush green hills, tea gardens, meandering rivers (Barak and Kushiara) and impeccable peace; it is indeed the best place for sightseeing tour in Assam. The main attractions of Barak Valley are Khaspur, Bhuban Temple, Salganga, Karimganj, Badarpur Fort, Hailakandi, Pirbadi, Siddeshwar Temple, Adi Kali Mandir and Kachakanti Temple.
4. Dibrugarh – The Tea Capital of Assam
Dibrugarh also known as the tea city of Assam is situated in the Upper West region of Assam. An important tea trading centre and the authentic reflection of Assam, Dibrugarh has been quite a charmer all through the years. It is the gateway to the three tea-producing districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, and Sivasagar. One has the opportunity to see the most turbulent face of Brahmaputra here. Dibrugarh is also known as Ti-Phao in Ahom Buranji which means Place of Heaven.
5. The River Islands of Majuli
The beautiful scenic islands of Majuli is formed by the Brahmaputra river in the south and the Kherkutia Xuti, an anabranch of the Brahmaputra, joined by the Subansiri River in the north. Mājuli island is accessible by ferries from the city of Jorhat. It was formed due to course changes by the river Brahmaputra and its tributaries, mainly the Lohit. Mājuli is the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture.
The place with its scenic greenaries and blue skies is also a birdwatcher’s paradise and the camera wielders are simply going to get hooked to this place. Holiday in Assam is incomplete without paying a visit to this impeccable destination. With almost no hotels, Majuli is a one of its kind place that you will visit in India.
Homestays are the only option here, but during the stay one gets the chance to witness the lifestyle of the people of Majuli. The main occupation of the locals are agriculture, weaving, fishing, pottery and boat making.
