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I have added quite a bit of information on Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern most state in the Indian sub-continent. Look forward to your visit to this picturesque, serene land of the orchids!!

Tourist Circuit 4: - Pasighat-Jengging-Yingkiong

This circuit starts from Pasighat, the district headquarters of East Siang district, the oldest administrative centre of erstwhile NEFA. Situated on the bank of the mighty Siang River, the main tributary of Brahmaputra bound on both sides by snow-clad peaks, rocky Mountains and virgin forests. As yet an untamed terrain, this circuit offers a unique opportunity for anyone who loves nature. Major attractions: DR. DAYING ERING WILD LIFE SANCTUARY, a rich habitat of many unique plants, birds and wild animals. The Sanctuary is home also to a variety of animals like the Hog deer, Hispid, Hare, Bengal Floricans, Raptors and a host of migratory water bird MOULING NATIONAL PARK, situated in the Upper Siang district, covers an area of 483 Sq km. It is home to some of the rarest wild animals such as Takin, Serow, Goral, Clouded Leopard, Black Bear, Leopard, and Red Panda etc. During winter, a large number of migratory birds can also be seen in this park. KEKAR MONYING (BLACK ROCK) is situated in the East Siang district. It is one of the important memorials of the state erected in memory of Adis who fought with the British at this site on 4th December 1911 and who died a heroic death. KOMSING is the site where the British had erected the epitaph for Sir Neol Williamson killed by Narmi Manmur Jamoh. SIRKI WATER FALLS AND ANCHAL GHAT is an ideal location for trekking, hiking, picnic, and outing. Other important places to see are the Pegu Lake, Nubo Bridge, High Altitude Tea Garden at Ramsing Village, Ako Dumbing Hill station, Rengging village, Riga village, Raneghat Siang bridge, J.N. College Pasighat, Museum, Craft centre, Emporium, famous Adi Ponung dance, War dance of Minyong (TAPU).

Tourist Circuit 3: -Roing-Mayudia-Anini

This circuit begins at Roing, the district headquarter of Lower Dibang Valley District. Tourist information centre Office of the District Tourism Officer, Roing. Phone No. 03803-222468. Places of interests: MAYUDIA Mayudia, a unique hill resort is 56 km from the district headquarters Roing. It is situated at an altitude of about 7000 ft. amidst lofty hills, lush green forests and breathtaking landscapes. The blanket of snow that envelops the place between December and March brings in a unique solitude of peace and calm to the place. Accommodations are available at a beautiful guesthouse overlooking the picturesque valley. A drive from Roing to Mayudia lush green mountainous landscape is in itself a wonderful experience. BHISMAKNAGAR It is the oldest archaeological site of Arunachal Pradesh. A magnificent 'Hill Fort' made of burnt bricks lies mute spectator to the vagaries of time. Built during to 12th century A.D, the ruin of the Hill Fort is a short distance of 29 kms from Roing. The Bhismaknagar Fort, excavated during 1969-1973, has yielded some exquisite artifacts like terracotta plaques, decorative tiles, potteries, terracotta figurines etc. The artifacts shed light on the rich cultural heritage of this place. HUNLI This picturesque small town is situated about 90 kms from Roing on the way to Anini. An interesting cave temple at Kupunli near Hunli draws a lot of the religiously inclined. The Motor drive from Roing to Hunli through the well-maintained roads provides an exhilarating experience in a scintillating setting. CHIMRI FORT or RUKMINI NATI situated 12 kms. North of Roing is the remains of an ancient fort made of brick. It dates back to 12th Century A.D. MEHAO LAKE MEHAO LAKE Situated at a distance of approximately 17 kms from Roing, the lake forms a part of the Mehao wildlife Sanctuary. Covering an area of about 4 Sq. km the lake is enveloped on all sides by a rich variety of flora and fauna. SALLY SALLY, a lake resort, is just 3 kms away from Roing. It forms a part of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. A Natural lake surrounded by lush green vegetation, it overlooks the beautiful valley down below on the far horizon.

Tourist Circuit 2: - Itanagar-Ziro-Daporijo-Along-Pasighat

ITANAGAR (Capital of Arunachal Pradesh) Places of interests ITAFORT ITAFORT: Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, derives its name from the historical Itafort. Situated in the heart of the town, this historical fort is built mostly with bricks in the years of a bygone era. Believed to have been built with more than 80 lakh bricks, the fort has a towering presence even today. The Fort has been identified by some scholars with king Ramachandra of Mayapur belonging to the Jitari Dynasty, dating back to the 1360 -1550 AD. GAEKAR SAENYIK (GANGA LAKE), situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a distinct feature of the capital. The lake locally known as GAEKAR SAENYIK (confined water) abounds in natural beauty. Other important places to visit are the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, Craft Centre, Emporium Trade Centre, Donyi-Polo Centre for hearing impaired, the State Forest Research Institute, the Zoological park, NERIST, Arunachal University, Central and State Libraries, Baba Vishwanath Temple, Kali Mandir, Legi Shopping Complex and the Akash Deep complex. ZIRO Situated at an altitude of 5000 ft. (approx), Ziro is a beautiful plateau and the district headquarters of Lower Subansiri district. Places of interests: TALLEY VALLEY - tale means paradise in the tribal languages of the Arunachalis. Talley valley is 30 Km away from Hapoli (Ziro). It is a picturesque little township where paddy is cultivated in terraced hills. The concept of paddy-cum-pisciculture has attracted people and the practice has gained momentum over the years. Other places of interests are Tarin Fish Farm, Parsi-Parlo archeological site, Orchid Garden and Pine & Bamboo groves. DAPORIJO Daporijo is the district headquarters of Upper Subansiri district. Places of interests: MENGA CAVEis a famous place of pilgrimage for all devotees of Lord Shiva. The Shrine attracts a large number of pilgrims and devotees during the Makkar Sankaranti and shivrathri festival. The Subansiri River in Dapordo is ideal for river rafting, angling and picnic. The local Villages, the district library, the museum and craft centre are also places that hold interest. LIKABALI: Sub divisional headquarters of West Siang district MALINITHAN is the remains of relics and ruins of temples and valuable sculptures belonging to the bygone era. The place is associated with the legend of Lord Krishna. It is believed that on the way to Dwarka from Bhismaknagar, Krishna & Rukmini rested here and Goddess Parvati offered them the choicest flower during their stay. ALONG Along, the headquarters of West Siang District is situated on the south bank of river Yomgo. An ideal place for trekking, hiking and angling, Along has been catching up as hot tourist destination in recent years. The Patum Bridge over river Yomgo, the local museum and the Donyi-Polo Dere are other places of tourist attraction. PASIGHAT The headquarters of the East Siang district; Pasighat is situated on the bank of river Siang called the Brahmaputra in Assam and Tsangpo in Tibet. Dr.D.Ering Wildlife Sanctuary, at Pasighat is the home for a host of wild animals like the wild buffaloes, tigers, sambar deer, Honger, Hispid Hore, Bengal florican, Raptors, and migratory water birds and wild ducks. The Museum and Shopping Centers are other places of tourist attractions. RIVER SlANG RIVER SlANG is ideal for angling and river rafting. There are numerous small and big tributaries of Siang that meander through the lush green landscape. Golden Masheers, trouts, Labeobatas and Sehizo trout are the exotic fishes that have found home in the river. For long an angler's paradise, the Siang is a delight for the fishing freaks. Tourist information centre: Office of the Zonal Tourism Officer, Pasighat. Phone No. 0368-223315.

Tourist Circuit 1:- Tezpur-Bhalokpung-Bomdila-Tawang

This Circuit starts from Tezpur in the plains of Assam and takes you all the way up to the seventeenth century Tawang Monastery. Nuranang en route offers you a splendid opportunity for snow and rainbow trout fishing. The Sela pass on the way runs through a high altitude lake of shimmering crystal blue clear water. Flocked on both sides by rhododendrons of various hues, the Lake is a brilliant portrait of bliss by nature. Tipi is another important station along the route. A botanical station housing 500 varieties of orchids, which grow abundantly in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh is a must see for all visitors. Places of interests BHALUKPONG (65 kms. from Tezpur) An Orchidarium at Tipi (5 km from Bhalukpong) is the Botanical paradise of the state. About 300 species of the orchids can be seen in the flora-glass house. Some of the orchids here are rare and endangered. Located 24 kms from Tipi, on the way to Bomdila is an Orchid Sanctuary at Sessa. The sanctuary is home for over 2600 orchids of 80 different species, nurtured and cultured in their natural environment. Scenic beauty, exotic water falls and the evergreen forests along the banks of river Kameng is dream come true for the Nature enthusiast. The meandering Kameng river provides excellent opportunity for white water rafting. It's also been the Anglers' paradise for long. BOMDILA (165 kms. from Tezpur) At a height of 8500 ft., Bomdila, the headquarters of West Kameng District, is the land of the Monpas, Sherdukpen, Aka (Hrusso), Miji and Bugun (Khawas) tribes. Places of interests: Buddhist Monasteries, an Ethnographic Museum, a Craft center where fine woolen carpets and Masks of exquisite designs are produced. At Bomdila you get a breathtaking, Bird's eye view of Kangto and Gorichen, the highest peaks of the state nestling majestically in the Himalayan landscape. Tourist information centre: Office of the District Tourism Officer, Bomdila, Phone No. (O3782)-222049. DIRANG (42 kms. from Bomdila) Places of interests: Buddhist's Monasteries, the Nuranang Water falls at Jung, the Hot Springs of Dirang with medicinal properties for curing skin ailments. The Apple and Kiwi Orchards, the National Yak Research and Breeding Centre, at Nigmadung are also interesting spots to visit. Sheep Breeding Farm at Sangti valley, where the Siberian Black Necked Storks visit during winter (nine kms. from Dirang) is the place to go for vivid bird enthusiast. The Trout Hatchery farm at Nuranang is also an interesting place to visit. SELA PASS SELA PASS is on the way to Tawang, the world's second highest motorable pass at 14000 ft. height running along the Paradise Lake is hiker's paradise. JASWANT GARH ( 14kms. from Sela Pass) JASWANT GARH ( 14kms. from Sela Pass), the War Memorial raised to pay homage to Jaswant Singh, a soldier who received the Mahavir Chakra awarded by the Govt. of India for bravery (Posthumous), is a place where patriotic emotions of all Indians find a natural expression. In the battle of Nuranang in 1962 during the Chinese aggression, this brave son of the country showed unmatched valor by fighting and holding the invading Chinese for 72 hours, all alone before he met the martyr's end. TAWANG (183 kms from Bomdila) Nestling in the lap of Himalayas at 11,500 feet above sea level lies Tawang - the beautiful land of the Monpas. A picturesque canvas of mesmerizing natural grandeur, it fills one's mind with spiritual bliss. With its cascading waterfalls, and glistening snow-white peaks, Tawang brings you closer to Mother Nature. Places of interests: TAWANG MONASTERY: Built in the 17th Century AD, the Tawang is the second largest in Asia. It is located atop a hillock at a height of about 10,000ft. With a history of over 400 years, the monastery is the largest of its kind in the country and controls seventeen Gompas in the region. It is the fountainhead of spiritual life for the followers of the Gelugpa sect of the Mahayana School of Buddhism. The legendry 17th century Tawang Monastery, perched atop a hill, beckoning the visitor is sure to churn in a poetic bliss with its ethereal beauty. The Tawang monastery is associated with the famous Torgya festival, which is held in the 11th Monpa month called the Dawa Chukchipah (i.e. December to January as per the Gregorian calendar). The festival brings out the Monpas from far and wide in all their colourful finery. The festival provides ample opportunities for the Gompas to sell an array of all their wares. Other important places to see near Tawang are P.T.TSO lake, Sangetser Lake, the 700 year old Gorsham Chorten, the Nuranang fall, Gontse Garden Rabgayaling, Singsar Ani Gompa(a nunnery still being used by the Nuns), a Craft Centres producing very fine woolen carpet and masks in a burst of colors and myriad of designs. Tourist information centre: Office of the District Tourism Officer, Tawang. Phone No. (03794)- 222359.

Monasteries in Arunachal Pradesh

The monasteries of Arunachal are some of the major attractions in the northeastern part of India. These religious places are an ideal location for those who are inclined towards contemplation and meditation

Orchids of Arunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal's rich flora and fauna, one must make a special mention of the orchids. Of the thousands or so species of orchids in India, Arunachal is home to over 500 of them. These orchids bloom in a brilliant hue of colours and come in some spectacular shapes and sizes. Some of them bear exotic names like Sita-pushpa and Draupadi-pushpa, as it is believed that these Goddesses have worn the orchids. Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department has developed an Orchid Research and Development Centre at Tipi in West Kameng district for propagation and conservation of these species. In addition to this Orchidarium at Tipi, two Orchid conservation sanctuaries have been developed at Sessa and Dirang in West Kameng district. In the rich tropical forests of the Tirap district, clusters of the beautiful blue Vanda (Vanda coerulea) adorn the trees. Their large blue - violet blooms are delicately veined, swaying gently in the breeze - whispering among themselves the secrets of their beauty. The bamboo orchid, Arundina graminifolia, the pretty evergreen species can be seen blooming with attractive pink - purple flowers in open the sunny areas, blushing and bowing in the areas near Tipi. An Orchid Research Centre at Tipi boasts of a good collection of orchids. Dendrobium gibsonii are clusters of beautifully formed yellow flowers coloured with a rich maroon in the center. And the Dendrobium nobile are white and purple flowers found along the roads leading to Sessa from Tipi. Sessa, 24 km from Tipi, has an Orchid Sanctuary, which abounds in a variety of species including the beautiful white Coelogyne nitida (which grows on moss covered rocks), the tree borne yellow; Cymbidium elegans and Dendrobium chrysanthum (bright yellow flowers with two dark reddish brown blotches in the centre) present a magnificent sight when in bloom. In Dirang Orchid Sanctuary, Paphiopedilum fairieanum - The "Lost lady slipper orchid" which is very rare, endangered and endemic orchid found in dirang area. Tipi is house to tropical orchids, Sessa for Sub-tropical orchids and Dirang is for temperate orchids.

Wildlife & Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh

The diverse topography with dramatic changes in altitude, make Arunachal Pradesh one of the most unique geographical zones in India. The climatic conditions dependent on the altitude provide for a very diverse ecological environment. This shift in climatic conditions across the state has given rise to a rich and diverse wildlife population. Arunachal Pradesh is home to two national parks and 7 wild life sanctuaries. Some of the rare and endangered species that can be seen in Arunachal Pradesh are the Mishmi, Takin, Hoolock Gibbon, Musk deer, Bharal, Hisbid Hare, the Flying squirrel and a host of birds from over 500 species. There are 7 wildlife sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh. Pakhui: Location - East Kameng District Area - 862 sq. km Wild life - Elephants, Tiger, Barking Deer, Gour, Leopard, Hornbill etc. Itanagar: Location - Papumpare District Area - 140.30 sq. km Wild life - Elephants, Tiger, Barking Deer, Leopard, various bird species and orchid species. Daying Ering : Location - East Siang District Area - 190 sq. km Wild life - Hogdeer, Lispid bear, endemic, migratory birds and migratory water birds Mehao: Location - Dibang Valley and Lohit District Area - 281.5 sq. km Wild life - Hoolock, Gibbon, Tiger, Elephant, Leopard. Eagle's Nest: Location - East Kameng District Area - 217 sq. km Wild life - Elephants, Goral, Tiger, Leopard, Red panda. Kamlang: Location - Lohit District Area - 783 sq. km Wild life - Gibbon, Tiger, Leopard, Takin etc. Dibang: Location - Dibang Valley District Area - 4149 sq. km Wild life - Musk Deer, Takin, Black Bear, Leopard, Khalij and rare birds. Apart from this there is one Orchid Sanctuary: Sessa Orchid Sanctuary: Location - West Kameng District Area - 100 sq. km Species - Variety of Orchids and some wild life like Red Panda, Pheasant, Scrow, and Goral etc.

Adventure Sports in Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh offers immense opportunities for those who want to lung it out from their hearts. The ups and downs of the mountainous ravines, the rapid rivers and the vast area of unconquered virgin forests are waiting for those with a bounce in the shoes. And for those who are a little less inclined, there is always angling. Trekking

Treks and a walk through the virgin forest is an exciting and exhilarating experience. The entire stretch of Arunachal Pradesh lying on the eastern side of the Himalayas is covered with lush green vegetation juxtaposed with soaring peaks. It offers innumerable trekking routes for the nature enthusiasts. The suspended bridges across raging rivers and the inclined terrain provide enough and more excitement for those who seek adventure. Various trekking expeditions from many locations are being regularly organised by the Government / authorities. The best time for trekking around Arunachal Pradesh is generally between the months of October and May. Bomdila- Daimara-via-Ramlingam and Chakku (Distance 100Km) in 6 Days on any time. Bomdila- Seppa (Distance 120Km) in 8 Days on any time. Along- Mechuka (Distance 85Km) in 7 Days on any time. Daporijo- Taksing (Distance 250Km) in 25 Days on September. Pasighat- Tuting (Distance 80Km) in 7 Days on December - January. Pasighat- Mariang (Distance 80Km) in 7 Days on December - January. Daporijo- Along (Distance 50Km) in 4 Days on any time. River Rafting -

River Rafting is a catching up adventure sport in many parts of Arunachal Pradesh. The rivers and their innumerable tributaries rushing down the mountains at raging speeds, provide unparalleled opportunities for adventurous rafting. For those not so adventurous, shorter rafting trips are organized from Rengging. These trips though not very adventurous are still very exciting. River Rafting along Kameng (Seppa- Bhalukpung), Subansiri (Taliha- North of Daporijo), Siang (entire course), and Dibang (Anini- Assam Border) are some of the trips that one can try. Angling: -

Arunachal Pradesh provides excellent opportunities for fishing. The innumerable streams and the meandering rivers have an abundance of aquatic life, bringing out the best possibilities for a rich and varied haul. Angling festivals are organized to provide ample opportunities for all angling enthusiasts.

Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh

Festivals form an integral part of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh. Most of the festivals are celebrated to thank providence for benefits received. As there are myriad of tribal communities, the festivals are celebrated through out the year in one community or the other. Animal sacrifices are common in most of the festivals, particularly in the non-Bodic tribes. The festivals have firmly blended with the lifestyle of the people. For some communities like the Mijis these are occasions, which bring all people together, who otherwise remain scattered in far-flung villages. Different groups celebrate the springtime festivals from January to April. In the celebration of these festivals, the priests assisted by some select male members generally perform the religious rites and sacrifices. Some of the important festivals celebrated by the people are Solung, Mopin, Losar, Boori Boot, Dree, Nechi Dau, Chalo-loku, Longte Yullo,Ojiale, Reh, Sanken, Si-Donyi, Nyokum -Yullo, and Tamladu. Music and Dance: -

Dance and music form an important aspect of celebrations either as an expression of joy or a ritualistic submission to the supremacy of god. Though both men and women participate in a vast array of dances, there are some ritualistic dances, which are performed only by the male. The monastic dance or the chaams, performed by the lamas is a stunning spectacle of colour, movement and sound woven so intricately that it stuns and lulls the viewer into submission. Guga, a bamboo string instrument and ujuk tapua a wind instrument made of bottle gourd and reed flutes such as the pupe and tapu are some of the common instruments used by the people. Ponu yoksi is a sword like instrument used during ceremonial dances performed by the priest. Buddha Mahotsava: -

The festival celebrated across the state, showcases the ideals of Buddhism, ushering in the much needed values of peace, harmony and tolerance in today's world. The festival highlights include Monastic Dances, Traditional Tribal Music, Song & Dances, Religious Procession, Food Festival, Handloom & Handicraft Exhibition, Flower/Horticulture Show, and Adventure Sports like Trekking, Rafting & Hot Air Ballooning, Cultural Nights and other Special Events. Siang River Festival The Siang River Festival aims at projecting the Siang(Brahmaputra) river as a symbol of integrity and communal harmony. It was previously celebrated as Brahmaputra Darshan Festival in Tezu and Pasighat. From this year (2005) it is being celebrated as Siang River festival and it will be celebrated in places like Tuting, Yingkiong and Pasighat in the month of December. The festival highlights the traditional song and dance of different tribes of the area. Indigenous games and sports like elephant race, traditional boat race, Didi - the mock war game of Mishmis and exhibition of traditional herbal medicines, etc are other important highlights of the grand celebration. Apart from this an exhibition of handloom and handicrafts by the different districts is also conducted.

Entry Formalities

Any Domestic tourist visiting Arunachal Pradesh is required to obtain an Inner Line Permit. The procedures are simple and easy and not a bottle neck for those visiting Arunachal Pradesh. The Inner Line Permit can be obtained from the following offices of the Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh Resident Commissioner, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, New Delhi, Arunachal Bhawan, Kautilya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. Phone No: (011) - 23013915 / 23013956 / 26880901 (R). Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Kolkatta, CE-109, Sector-1, Salt Lake City, Kolkatta. Phone No: (033) - 23341243 / 23589865 (F). Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Guwahati, R.G. Baruah Road, Guwahati-781021. Phone No: (0361) - 2412859 / 2416720. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt Arunachal Pradesh, Shillong, Pin-793001, Meghalaya. Phone No: (0364) - 2224247 / 2224476. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Parvati Nagar, Tezpur, Assam. Phone No: (03712) - 260141 / 260173. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Mohanbari, Dibrugarh, Assam. Phone No: (0373) - 2382560 / 2382738. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Lilabari, North Lakhimpur, Assam. Phone No: (03752) - 223170. Deputy Resident Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Jorhat (Rowriah), Assam. Phone No: (0376) - 2340173. Foreign tourists intending to visit Arunachal Pradesh require the Restricted Area Permit. The foreign tourists can obtain the Protected Area Permit from all Indian Missions abroad, All Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai, Home Ministry, Govt. of India and Home Commissioner, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar for a period of 10 (ten) days for a group consisting of four or more persons. The application giving details of name, passport number, its issuing authority and the expiry date, place of birth, profession, proposed duration of stay and the purpose of visit should be made to the Home Commissioner Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar (0360-2212339) or Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, New Delhi-110001. Foreign Tourists visiting Arunachal Pradesh on their own arrangement will have to pay US $ 50 per head to Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal Pradesh - A profile

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Take a step into the past, welcome to the land of the Dawnlit mountains. Arunachal Pradesh - the habitat of the most splendid, variegated, multilingual tribal people of the world. The frontier state of India, Arunachal Pradesh shares its border with Tibet (China), Bhutan and Myanmar (Burma). A unique habitat with glaciers, high altitude meadows, sub-tropical forests and an amazing array of flora and fauna, all this and more strewn generously with glistening water bodies and gushing rivers. Its dense forests, snow clad peaks, towering mountains and roaring rivers offer numerous opportunities for rafting, hiking, mountaineering or simply basking- in all it's beauty Arunachal Pradesh has more than 550 rare species of orchids and hundreds of species of rare plants, covering more than 60% of the total area. The wildlife is equally rich and varied, which includes elephants, tigers, leopards, jungle cats and also white gibbons, red pandas, the musk and the "Mithun" (BOS FRONTALIS). Arunachal Pradesh also finds mention in literature such as the Kalika Puran and epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. It is believed that sage Vyasa was here to do penance. One more interesting feature is the remains of a brick structure scattered around two villages in the hills north of Roing, believed to be the palace of Rukmini, the consort of Lord Krishna. The people with a glorious past have a deep sense of beauty that finds delightful expression in their songs, dances and crafts.

Hi ...Viewers!

My blog so far, has travel information relating to all the tourist destinations in the state of Assam, I have tried to include all relevant do's and don'ts pertaining to this state and I sincerely hope that this suffices. My next several posts would be highlighting the state of Arunachal Pradesh, another must visit state of this region!

Hi....viewers!!

It has been my sincere endeavour, while developing my blog, to provide authentic and targeted information to the intending travelers/tourists to the seven sister states of the north east of India. My effort is to provide a single window service for getting all information related to the various tourist destinations, travel information, entry restrictions ( in-force in certain states) etc. I sincerely hope that after going through my blog posts, tourists and travelers from both India and abroad, may feel more confident to come and visit this beautiful, warm and enchanting region of India. BON VOYAGE!!

Barak valley

The Barak valley forms the southernmost part of Assam comprising of three districts. The Barak River originates in the Manipur hills and flows west to enter Assam in Cachar district. Cachar: The district was created in 1830 after annexation of Kachari Kingdom by British. Silchar is the headquarters of the Cachar district of Assam and is the second largest town of the state. Nestled on the banks of the Barak River, the town has an average elevation of about 72 feet and is renowned for its scenic beauty and natural splendor. The city is surrounded by Manipur on the east, Bangladesh on the west, Mizoram on the south and the Barail hills on the north. Due to its picturesque location, the region is rightly coined as the Island of Peace and is the major gateway to the neighboring areas of Manipur and Mizoram. Distance from Guwahati 342 Kms. The Kachakanti temple (mandir): Located at a distance of 17 Km. from Silchar stands the historical & most celebrated temple of South Assam, i.e. the temple of mother Goddess "Kachakanti". She is said to be amalgamation of 2 powerful Hindu deity, i.e. Mother DURGA & mather KALI. The original temple was built in the year 1806 AD by the then Kachari king. Human sacrifices were offered to the Goddess till 1818 AD. The Old temple however is ruined now, and is replaced by new temple. Places Of Interest Khaspur: 20 Km. from Silchar stands the ruin of a great capital of historical time and importance.The main attractions are the Lion Gate, the, Sun Gate and aged old kings' temple. The ruin of the capital is of great importance and a visiting spot for tourists. The original palace is in a state of non-existence, but its subsidiaries, the main entrance gate, the `Suryadwar"Debalaya' are still there intact. The entrances are of elephant-patterns Bhubenes war temple (Bhubanhill): It is the most celebrated temple of Lord Shiva in the entire' South Assam. The Bhubeneswar temple is situated at a distance of about 50 Km. from Silchar and located on the top of a high hill. This is a place of pilgrimage and during the festival of Shivaratri, thousand of Shivaits march towards the hilltop of worship Lord Shiva. This temple by its geographical location attracts a lot of hikers as there are no motor roads to reach the hilltop. One has to hike at least 17Km. from the plants to the temple. Salganga: About 22 kms away from Silchar on the way to Kumbhirgram airport a Vishnu temple at salganga is another tourist attraction. Karimganj: The district headquarter town of Karimganj is nearly 55 km from Silchar. The town is on the Southern bank of the Kushiara River that demarcates the Indo¬Bangladesh border. Badarpur: It N.F. Railways’ one of the longest station Badarpur fort: The Badarpur fort situated on the bank of Bark River is an important historic place of Barak valley. The Fort is about 16 kms away from Badarpur Railway station. Hailakandi: The district town of Hailakandi is 55 km from Silchar. The district is sandwiched between Silchar and karimganj. On the South and south eastern sides it is bordered by Mizoram. Pirbadi: A dargah of Sufi saint is visited by a large number of devotees. It is 35 Kms away from Hilakandi on Gharmuda road. Siddheswar Temple: 1 1/2 Kms from panchagramnear badarpur, this temple is located on the bank of Dhuleswari river. Adi kali Mandir: The wife of Kachari king Krishna Chandra, Induprava Devi constructed this temple in 1707. This is the oldest kali mandir in barak valley.

North Cachar Hills

Dima Hasao district ( formerly North Cachar Hills) is a pristine picturesque dreamland of undulating hills, valleys, gently flowing streams and waterfalls, where the very breeze that wafts across the paddy fields and bamboo forests is redolent with fragrance of the land of which man and animal live in perfect harmony with nature. It is the No.1 district in India with highest concentration of the number of ethnic tribes (15). A fascinating mosaic of ethnic, cultural and tribal mix, the people of Dima Haso embody all the values derived from centuries of shared living in the lap of nature. Equally enticing is the flora and fauna of the land, which has the famed Jatinga village where, drawn by some mysterious alchemy of earth and sky, disoriented bird come in thousands in the cloudy months of September and October to take part in an extraordinary suicide pact. Though there is no direct Air connection to Dima Hasao district, one can fly up to Silchar or Guwahati or Dimapur from where easy road & railway services to Haflong are available. Haflong is a beautiful hill-station in Assam, at an altitude of 680 m above sea level. It is about 85 km north of Silchar and 345 km from Guwahati Umrangso: 112 km from Haflong & 224 km from Guwahati. The huge Hydel plant has come up under North East electric Power Corporation(NEEPC0) with dams in the Kopili river. Near Umrangso, there is a Hot spring,the water of which is believed to have medicinal value. Panimoor: Approximately 120 km away from Haflong, & 8-10 km from Haflong Tiniali,The Kopili River turns into a thrilling waterfall, rolling over the rocks of Panimoor. Jatinga: Just 9 km from Haflong. World wide famous for bird mystery (Birds Harakiri). The migratory birds come during the months August to November & it becomes the ornithologist's attraction. From the elevated watch tower one can see them yielding to their death wish & their little plumage dropping down. Maibang: Located on the bank of the river Mahur and 53 km from Haflong. Maibang once flourished as the capital of Dimasa, Kachari Kingdom. Stone house & temple of Kachari king & other ruins of the kingdom are the main attractions of the place. Where to Stay: Haflong Tourist Lodge, Eastern Hotel,Elite Hotel, Joyoswary Hotel

Dibrugarh

435 Kms North East of Guwahati, Dibrugarh is a major town of upper Assam and important commercial centre of the state. It's often referred to as the 'Tea City of India. Oil and Timber are the other two big industries in and around Dibrugarh. Situated on the bank of Brahmaputra River, the town is also an important education centre in upper Assam. Assam Medical College was formally established on November 3, 1947 at Dibrugarh. It was, however, earlier known as Berry-White School of Medicine, which was founded in 1900. It has the distinction of being the first medical college in the entire North-eastern region of India. Dibrugarh has had a fluctuating relationship with the River Brahmaputra. Back in 1950, the river changed its course because of the Medog Earthquake, resulting in widespread destruction in the town. The earthquake and the resulting flood destroyed almost 75% of the town of Dibrugarh. The town has recovered from the aftermath since then, and people have come to accept the mercurial nature of the river while staying in its shadow. Dibrugarh, apart from being one of the largest producers of tea in the country, is also known for its oil and natural gas reserves Dibrugrah is well connected by air, road, and rail. Places to see in Dibrugarh: Koli Aai Than: a sacred place dedicated to 'Ka Aai', the daughter of the head priest of the `Dibaru Satra'. Legend states that due to lack of a male heir, the Satra started declining. However, Koli Aai kept it alive by preaching its ideals and the principles to the masses. It is believed that Koli Ai was bestowed with divine powers and she vanished from the site one day, leaving behind a strong religious legacy in the minds of the people. Medieval Memorial Grounds (Maidams): In and around Dibrugarh, there are number of memorial grounds raised during the regime of the Ahoms. Some of these Maidams are Barbarua Maidam, Bormechlow Maidam, Lekhai Chetia Maidam and Bahikhowa Maidam. Dehing Satra: The ruins of this famous Satra from the times of King Rajeswar Singha, lie along the banks of Dehing River. During the famous Moamoria revolution, the Satra received royal support. Lush green tea estates: Excursions can be organized to visit the sprawling lush green tea estates dotted with old world bungalows. During the visit one can the tea labourers plucking tea leaves, the factories and lifestyle of the tea estates.

Sivasagar

Around 369 kms away from Guwahati is Sivasagar. This was the seat of Ahom power for more than six hundred years till the British take-over. In the early 13th Century, a band of hardy hill men wandered into eastern extremity of the Brahmaputra, after crossing the Patkai Hills, led by chance rather than a pre-conceived purpose and quite oblivious of the fact that they were destined to bring the whole valley under their rule. These were the progenitors of the Ahoms. While some say that the Ahoms migrated from a place called Mong Mit in the Northern Shan States of Burma, another record says that they migrated from Mong Mao Lung, the south-west Yunnan province of China. When the Ahom army with their first king, Siu-ka-pha crossed the Patkai Hills in 1228 A.D and saw the beautiful valley of Asom, they knew for sure that this was the Golden Land for them. Chaulung Siukapha called this place Chung-mung-dung-kham or 'The Fields of Golden Crops'. They established their first capital at Charaidew of Sivasagar in 1253A.D. Thereafter, the capital shifted to several other places in Sivasagar; Charagua, Gargaon, Salaguri and finally Rongpur. Ahom architecture over the centuries has resulted in some of most defining edifices. The Talatal Ghar at Sivasagar is a seven storied building with four floors of basement and three floors above ground. And amazing simplistic palace for the Ahom Kings. Ranghar remains Asia's largest amphitheatre and was the cultural playground of Ahom Swargadeos or Kings which was constructed in 1746 during the reign of King Pramatta Singha. The royal king and his officers would sit in the auditorium and watch indigenous games like wrestling, birds' fight, buffalo fights and more. There is a beautiful park near the ancient royal auditorium, which enhances the picturesque setting. 14 kilometres eastward from Sivasagar town is the majestic seven storied Karenghar. In 1540, the Ahom King Suklengmung or Gargoyan Raja shifted the capital of the state to Gargaon and it emerged as the principal capital of the Ahom Kingdom. It was first constructed by King Rudra Singha in 1699. The successors thereof made several alterations and additions to this palace. The original structure was made of bricks The original structure was made of bricks and stones. The present palace made of bricks and indigenous cement was constructed by King Rajeshwar Singha in 1752. The palace is of seven stories; four above and three below the ground. The structure was partially destroyed during the East India Company when they carried away valuable material to build their offices and building. The Sivasagar tank was artificially built on 125 acres of excavated earth with the Siva Dol on its banks. Joysagar tank is at the fringe of the Sivasagar Town. King Rudra Singha dug up the Joysagar Tank and constructed a temple complex at Jerenga and later named it as Joysagar. The Joysagar Tank is the biggest man-made tank comprising an area of 318 acres of land including its four tanks. The Ahoms kings had kept changing their capitals from time to time and Charaideo, about 30 kms away from Sivasagar, was the first capital of the Ahom Kingdom established by King Siu-Ka-Pha. This is also the sacred burial ground of the Ahom kings and queens. The maidams or burial places are small hillocks and reveal the superb skill of sculptors and the fine form of architecture. These are hemispherical mounds usually enclosed by an octagonal wall into which the Ahoms preferred to place the bodies of the departed family members. Very similar to the Egyptian Pyramids, this is also the place where the first Ahom King, Siu-Ka-pha has been laid to rest, along with his attendants, pets and valuables. This practice was later banned by King Rudra Singha. Charaideo, also believed to be the ancient place of the Ahom Gods, however now only bears a few remnants of the Deosal and Langkuri, some of the ancient Ahom Temples. Sivasagar is dotted with temples and monuments of alluring architectural wonders. And then one can also discover in the nooks and crannies structures which have borne the brunt of time but is still standing tall. One such structure is the Namdang bridge, between Gaurisagar and Joysagar and over the Namdang River. Carved out of a single piece of solid rock, this bridge was constructed during the reign of King Rudra Singha in 1 703A.D and is 60 meters in length, 6.5 meters in breadth with several images engraved on it. Thousand of vehicles roll over it every day, without causing any damage to it so far. An amazing architectural ingenuity! Ajanpir Dargah: 20kms away from Sivasagar is Saraguri, where lies the Dargah or Tomb of the 17th Century Muslim Saint, Ajanpir. This dargah was built during the reign of King Godadhar Singha. It was at Saraguri that the saint, Azanpeer, with his 120 disciples propagated the Islamic tenets by composing the Zikir, a kind of devotional song characterised by the adoption of Assamese elements into his religious faith. These are regarded as great contributions to Assamese literature. This potpourri of the old and the new gives Sivasagar an identity of its own making it the cynosure of all eyes.

Majuli

Majuli- the Vaishnavite stronghold, home to 22 satras and the principal seat of Vaishnavite faith, culture and practice. Majuli stakes its geographical claim as the largest river island in the world. The Sattras are Vaishnava monasteries established in the 16th century by the saint and cultural reformer Srimanta Sankaradeva and his disciple IVIadhab Deva. The Satra hub, Majuli, is situated 340 km east of Guwahati. This erosion-threatened island still has some 22 of the oldest` Satras, where spiritualism is blended with cultural extravaganza. Due to river bank erosion many of these sattras have shifted base to Assam's mainland. In sixteenth century Shankaradeva took shelter in Majuli and spent a couple of months at Belguri in West Majuli which was a place of glory for the historic and auspicious,Manikanchan Sanjog' between Sankardev and Madhavdeva. There had been sixty five "Satras" growing up for propagation of ethics and socio¬cultural. But at present there are only twenty two satras in Majuli. The other had to be shifted to other safer places due to devastation of flood and erosion. Among those the main existing satras are (a) Dakhinpat Satra, (b) Garamurh Satra, (c) Auniati Satra, (d) Kamalabari Satra (e) Benegenaati Satra (f) Samaguri Satra. These Satras are the treasure house of "Bongeet" Matiakhara, jumora dance, Chali dance, Motua dance, Nande Bringee, Sutradhar, Ozapali, Apsara dance, Satria Krishna dance, Dasavater dance etc. which were contributed by shri Sankaradeva. Multifaceted in its attractions. Majull unfolds a variety of interest to the tourist-rare migratory birds; pottery, ethnic culture and dance forms, water sports etc. How to go Majuli can be reached by three main route-Jorhat Nimatighat from Jorhat. Dhokuakhana from Dhemaji and Luit¬Khabolughat from North Lakhimpur, Besides these, there are many ghats with single machine boat from both banks of the Brahmaputra. What to see : Vaishnava Satras founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. (a) Dakhinpat Satra : Dakhinpat Satra was founded by Banarnalidev, an exponent of Raasleela, which is now observed as one of the National Festivals of Assam. (b) Garamurh Satra : This "Satra" was founded by Lakhsmikantadeva. During Autumn ending traditional Raasleela is shown with great enthusiasm, Some ancient weapons called " Bartop" are preserved here. (c) Auniati Satra : Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva the Satra is famous for "Paalnam" and Apsara Dance also its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, Jewellerry and handicrafts. (d) Kamalabari Satra : Kamalabari Satra founded by Bedulapadma Ata, is a centre of art, cultural, literature and classical studies its branch uttar Kamalabari satra has performed cultural programme of Satria Art in several states of India and abroad. (e) Bengenaati Satra : It is a store house of antiques of cultural importance and an advance centre of performing art, Muraridev, the grand son of Sankardeva's step mother has founded the Satra. The royal robes belong to the Ahom king Swargadeo Godadha Singha, made of gold are preserved here. (f) Shamaguri Satra : The Satra is resourced with famous Mask-crafts in India. OTHER ATTRACTIONS The entire plain tribes also possess a colourful and resourceful cultural entity. Various species of rare migratory birds like Pelican, Siberian Crane, Adjutant Stork are found in Majuli. Festival like Ali-ai-lvigang of the Mising tribe is also celebrated here during the first Wednesday of the month February-March. The pottery making centre is situated at Upper Majuli. Many suitable places are there for viewing the full sunset during winter. The paal naam at Auniati Satra is a huge mela, helds at the end of Autumn. Another festival performed by the Sonowal Kacharis tribe is "Bathow Puja" , where Lord Shiva, is workshiped with high veneration. Where to stay : Alohee Ghar Kakoti Guest House, Ph.9435203418 Kamalabari Satra Guest House,Ph.03775-273302 La Maison De Ananda, Ph.5597186356 Seuj Ville,Ph.9435734138 Circuit house at Garamurh, Head Quarter of Majuli Contact: SDO (Civil) Majuli,Ply 03775-274424 Majuli eco-tourism Lodge Nearest airport: Rowriah (Jorhat) Railway Station: Jorhat Police Station: Garamukh P.S., Ph. No. 435, Kamalabari P.S., Ph. No. 430

Jorhat - the knowledge city of Assam

Jorhat is one of the important towns in Assam. Jorhat was established as a new capital in the closing years of the 18th century by the decaying and declining Tunkhungia Ahom Dynasty. Jorhat, as the name signifies, was just a couple (Jor) of markets (Hat). Two parallel markets namely, Chowkihat and Macharhat, lay on the eastern and the western banks of the river Bhogdoi. Jorhat as "The last Capital of the Ahom Kingdom", has archeological values associated to Rajamaidam — the last burial mounds of the Ahom kings. Nestled in the tea gardens dotted around sprawling in and around the city, boosts of the Tocklai Research Association (TRA) is the oldest and the largest tea research station of its kind in the world. Jorhat today has grown into a thriving town with a strong sense of character and identity. It is the best laid out city in Upper Assam with broad roads, cutting each other at right angles. People of Jorhat have traditionally displayed a high interest towards arts and culture diversities. Jorhat is known as "The Cultural Capital of Assam". Jorhat, a rapidly developing town of Assam, also has the distinction of having the largest number of educated residents in Assam, among all other districts of Assam and is one of the major business hubs of the state. Places of Historical Significance Bangalpukhuri On the southern side of Jorhat, near Na-ali, there is a tank popu¬larly known as Bangalpukhuri. In the month of Sravana of Saka 1739, Badan Barphukan was mur-dered by Rupsinghh Bangal when he was going to take bath. For this act , he was rewarded with some money which he spent in excavat¬ing this tank. Thengal Manor Build in 1880 by Raibahadur Shiva Prasad Barooah, the first Assamese Daily Dainik Batari was started from this complex. Burigosain devalay The Buri¬gosain and the priest were brought from Jayantiya after defeating that king and were established first at Rangpur. When the capital was shifted to Jorhat, the image of Burigosain was also shifted and placed in a temple which lies in the middle of the town. It is a sakta Shrine. Purnananda Buragohain Maidam There is a maidam on he bank of Toklai near Macharhat which is of Purnanand Buragohain. It was constructed by his son. Bilvesvar Siva Temple About 35 Km. North of Jorhat town by the side of South Trunk Road there lie ruins of an old and small temple, along with a tank built by Rucinath Burgohain. Magolu Khat Magolu Khat is situated about four miles west of the Jorhat town. The king Rajeshwar Sinha established the Magolus or Manipuris here after marrying Kuranganayani, the princess of Manipur at Manaimaji vilage. Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar Established during 1497-1539 by Saint-reformer Madhavdeb. Lachit Borphukan's Maidam: Burial vault of the greatest Ahom General who defeated the mighty Mughals at Sairaighat in 1672 . Jorhat Gymkhana Club: Built in 1876 by D.Slimmon. Raja Maidam: The existing maidam (vault)which lies on the south bank of Toklai river on the northern side of Jorhat town is of king Purandar Sinha who expired on 1st Oct 1894. The present maidam was constructed to preserve the ashes of the late king. Baduli Pukahuri: During the reign of the king Jayadhvaj Sinha a tank was excavated by Baduli Borphukan near the Trunk Road at Teok, and it was named after Baduli Borphukan. Borbheta: Situated 5 K.M. from Jorhat town Borbheta is known for Assam Agriculture University, District Jail, Jorhat police Reserve and the Christian Mission Hospital. Karanga: It is a village famous for its Black smithy which caters to the demand of neighbouring tea estates and local people. Nimati: Situated at a distnace of 17km.from Jorhat, It is an important river port of the district as well as of Upper Assam.

Tezpur - the city of eternal romance

The city of eternal romance - Usha's love for Lord Krishna's grandson Anirudha caught her father Baana's disapproving notice and so he kept Usha in isolation. The place is now known as Agnigarh. Anirudha with the help of Chitralekha managed to make Usha his own though not without Aniruddha being held captive by Baana. This resulted in a bloody War between L.ord Krishna and Baana and the bloodshed was unprecedented. Romantic Tezpur indeed got its name! The Tezpur town abounds in archaeological sites, hills, lakes and gardens. Da-Parbatia: The doorframe of Da-Parbaitia is the oldest specimen of sculptural art in Assam and its carving is characteristic of the style of Gupta school of art. It dates back to 600 AD. The figurines of goddesses Ganga and Yamuna on the Jambs of the door frame are enchanting Bamuni Hills: The sculptural remains of Bamuni hills date back to 9th Century A.D. A cross- shaped bracket lintel ornamented with horned Kirtimukha panels contains the figures of 10 incarnations of Vishnu. The Bhomoraguri stone inscription of the Ahom general Kalia Bhomara Barphukan and Harjjar Varman's 9 line inscription are located near Tezpur. Chitralekha park: The picturesque stone inscription of yore is endowed with hillocks, gardens and lakes. The Chitralekha Udyan, the most beautiful garden of Tezpur has impressive ornamental stone pillars, sculptural relics, water sports facility, lush green walkways and a small amphitheatre too. Here, the ancient and the modern co-exist in harmony. Agnigarh hill is the site of the legendary romance of Princess Usha , the daughter of King Bana and Aniruddha , the grandson of Krishna. King Bana kept Usha on this hillock surrounded by fire. A landscape garden with exquisite sculptures, soft illumination and a cascanding waterfall welcome thousands of tourists to this memorial of eternal romance. The hill top provides a spectacular view of the Brahmaputra and the Kalia Bhomora bridge. The Ouguri Hill houses giant monoliths which are any rock climber's delight. The hill top provides a panoramic view of Tezpur on one side and the Brahmaputra on the other side The Padum Pukhuri, literally meaning lotus pond, has a lovely central island. A musical fountain and a toy train are other attraction in the Padum Pukhuri Park. The Mahabhairab Temple believed to have been built by King Bana, has one of the biggest and oldest Shivalingas of the world. It attracts thousands of devotees especially during Shiv Ratri festival. Other historic temples in the vicinity of Tezpur include Holleshwar, , Bhairavi and Rudrapada temple. Sonitpur district has 73 tea gardens including world's biggest tea garden, Monabari . A visit to a tea garden provides insight not only into tea making and the unique culture associated with it but also gives the flavour of bygone era of the Raj. Getting here Tezpur is well connected by air,road and rail AIR LINKS Direct Alliance Air flights to Tezpur from Kolkata are available on Thursdays and Sundays. Where to Stay: Prashaanti Tourist Lodge Jenkins Road, Tezpur, Ph : 03712-2210 6 Centre Point Main Road, Opp.police station Ph.: 03712-232359/232295 & 9854000108, Fax:0374-223210 Kanyapur N.T.Road, Ph.03712-220261/222311 KRC J.N.Road Ph.03712-222688/788/9706521793 Fax: 03712-223188 Luit Ranu Singh Road Ph. 03712-222083/224708 Madhuban Near Kamrupia Namghar, Ph.03712-221180/233467

Hajo - the pilgrimage center

Hajo, 32 kms west of Guwahati, in Kamrup district, is an important pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims alike. Hajo is home to ancient and medieval temples and mosques and is seen by a section of Buddhists as the place where the Buddha attained parinirvana. Hayagriva Madhab Temple on Manikuta Hill is perhaps the oldest temple in Hajo. Believed to have been originally built by Pala rulers in 6th century AD, the present structure was erected by the Koch king Raghudeva Narayan in 1583 after it was destroyed by an invading army. Made of stone, it houses the images of Hayagriva Madhab, worshipped by Hindus as an incarnation of Vishnu. The garbhagriha of the temple enshrines the Pancha Madhab, or the five forms of Vishnu. The image of the main deity, Hayagriva Madhab is at the centre and is flanked by Jagannath and Garuda to the right and Radha Govinda and Basudeva to the left. Some scholars attribute a Buddhist origin to the temple based on the row of caparisoned elephants sculpted along the plinth. These, they say, are reminiscent of the animal figures at the Buddhist caves of Ellora in Maharashtra. Some Buddhists are of the opinion that the temple was the site of the Buddha’s parinirvana. Another structure adjacent to the main temple is called Doul Griha. It is said to have been built by the Ahom king Pramata Singha in 1750 AD. The festival Doul, similar to the colourful festival of Holi, is celebrated here on a grand scale every year. The stairway leads from the foot of the hill to a gateway that opens to the temple complex. At the foot of this stone stairway is a large pond inhabited by one of Hajo’s oldest residents- giant turtle. All around of the temple are numerous loose sculptures. Most of these sculptures stand testimony to the sculptural finesse attained by the artisans of Assam. Though Hayagriva Madhab is the most popular, Hajo has a number of other temples dating back to the 18th century. Ganesh Temple, built on a giant, elephant-shaped rock is also called Deva Bhavana and is traditionally the meeting place of all the deities of the region. Kedareshwar Temple is located on Madanachala Hill, 2 kms from Ganesh Temple. The shivalinga in the temple is said to be svayambhu or naturally formed and is always kept covered with a big metal bowl. Numerous references

Sualkuchi - the ''Silk Village of Assam''

Located on the banks of the Brahmaputra, 35 kms north of Guwahati, Sualkuchi is a weaving village that produces some of the best silk in the state. This sleepy little village exudes a charm like no other. Almost every house has an adjacent shed (karkhana) that houses the traditional bamboo looms, the gentle click-clacking of which can be heard from the streets. You can walk into any of the numerous karkhanas and observe the talented weavers giving birth to intricate patterns on the golden Muga silk. In the early years of the 20th century, Sualkuchi was developed as a “crafts village”. Most of the funds for this development work came from eminent Gandhians across the country who responded to the “back to the villages” slogan of Gandhiji’s swadeshi drive. Although the weaving industry of Sualkuchi remained almost confined within the tanti community till the 1930’s with encouragement from the government, people from other communities have taken up silk weaving. There are about 17000 silk looms presently working in Sualkuchi producing an eclectic range of silk products. Most of Sualkuchi’s silk is woven into mekhela-chadar and gamosas. Owing to the increasing demand from other parts of the country, the weavers of Sualkuchi have diversified to saris, shawls and dress material. The silk weaving of Sualkuchi provides direct and indirect employment to more than 25,000 people throughout the year. The large number of looms and the ever increasing output from them has earned Sualkuchi the monicker “Manchester of the East”.

Getting to Assam

Air The Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati is well connected by air to most of the metros in the country. There are regular flights to Guwahati running all year long on daily basis. All the major carriers of the country like Jet Airways, Kingfisher Red, SpiceJet, Go Air Business, JetLite and IndiGo airlines connect Guwahati to most of the major cities of India. Druk Air operates a weekly flight to Bangkok. Most of the carriers also operate flights connecting the other towns of Assam like Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur and Silchar to Guwahati and to the other major cities in India. FLIGHTS TO/FROM ASSAM (DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL) INDIAN AIRLINES : www.indian-airlines.nic.in JET AIRWAYS : www.jetairways.com JET LITE : www.jetlite.com INDIGO AIRLINES: www.goindigo.in GO AIR BUSINESS: www.goair.in SPICEJET: www.spicejet.com Rail A convenient Indian Railways network runs throughout the state connecting major Indian cities with Assam. There are train services connecting Assam to all corners of the country such as Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum. Railway reservation at www.irctc.co.in Road Guwahati, the largest city in Northeast India, is the hub of the road network to the north eastern region. A good network of National Highways and other roads connect Assam to all the prime cities of India. Travel within Assam Assam State Transport Corporation and other tourist bus services run by private operators offer a good network of bus routes throughout the state covering all the cities and towns of Assam. These buses also ply to the capital cities of the neighboring northeastern states. The Indian Railways network also connects the major towns of Assam to Guwahati and to the rest of India. There are several new and fast trains operating effectively these days. Assam Tourism department has a fleet of luxury buses and cars, which are available for hire at reasonable prices. Private taxis and auto rickshaws are perfect for covering short distances within the towns.

Best Time to Visit

Assam has four well defined seasons in a year.......summer, monsoon, winter and spring which present Assam in different moods. October to April is considered the best time to visit Assam as these months offer a mild and moderate climate with pleasant and sunny days and cool nights. Assam is never extremely cold or hot though during December and January night time temperatures may fall to single digit numbers.

Useful Tips

Time Zone Indian standard Time (1ST) is 5 1/2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 10 1/2 hours ahead of US Eastern Standard Time. 1ST is 4 1/2 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time, 3 1/2 hours behind Japanese Standard Time and 1 1/2 hours behind Thai Standard Time, Despite its vast geographical territory, lodia has just one time zone and no daylight saving time in summer. Money Changers Standard Chartered Bank, GNB Road, Ph. (0361) 2540597 State Bank of India, Pan Bazar, Ph. (0361) 2543576

Assam Tourism Offices

Guwahati Tourist Information Officer, Station Road, Guwahati 781001, Phone: +91-361-2544474 / 2547102 / 2542748 Tourist Information Office Lokapriya G.N.B. international Airport, Borjhar, Guwahati, Assam, India. Tourist Information Counter Guwahati Rly. Station, Guwahai-781001. New Delhi Tourist Information Officer B-1 Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Emporia Complex, New Delhi- 110001, Ph.(011) 23345897 Kolkata Tourist Information Officer Assam House, 8,Russel Street Kolkata- 700071, Ph.(033) 22295004 Silliguri Tourist Information Officer Pradhan Nagar, Hill Cart Road, Siliguri. Mumbai Tourist Information Centre Plot No. 28, Sector 30-A, Vashi, Navi Mumbai-3 Ph. 022 27810309, 27814616

Passport & Visa Information

There are few things you need to take care of before coming to India Passport Foreign travelers to India must always have a valid passport with them. If your passport is lost or stolen, you should immediately contact the embassy or consulate of your country. Visa The tourist visa is normally given for six months. The 15-day single / double entry visa is issued only to bonfire transit passengers. Tourist groups of not less than four people travelling under auspices of a recognized travel agency may be considered for a collective tourist visa. A visa is given for a period for which the passport is valid. So if the validity of the passport runs out before the visa expires, the visa is not issued. The visa is valid for 180 days from the date of its issue and not from the date of entry into India, unless specified otherwise. Visa Extension The 180-day tourist visa is supposedly non-extendable but can be extended for another 15 days in case of emergencies, A valid onward ticket must, however, be produced as proof of the intention to depart India's shores. The 15-day extension on the 6- month visa is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, the local state Government and the Foreigner's Regional Registration Office (FRRO) office is open on weekdays, 9.30 am to 1.30 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm.

Guwahati and Around - The 'Gate Way" to the North East

Guwahati To the spiritually oriented, Guwahati is home to the goddess Kamakhya; to history buffs, it stands on the very spot where the brave people of this great land thwarted the mighty Mughal army in the battle of Saraighat in 1671; to the inhabitant, it is the child that has been, over the years, nurtured, fulfilled and at times, even admonished by the mighty Brahmaputra. Guwahati is commercially and spatially one of the fastest growing cities in India. From a humble population of 2 lakh in 1971, presenting Guwahati is a teeming metropolis with 808,021 people (2001 Census). The city stretches for 45 kms from Gopmath Bordoioi International Airport in the west to Narengi in the east and from the southern bank of the Brahmaputra to the foothills of the Shillong plateau for around 15 kms. Guwahati Municipal Corporation administers an area of over 216 sq kms. The town derives its name from two Ahomiya words – guwa or a areca nut and haat or the weekly market, thus tracing its origins to a time when it was a trading post on the Brahmaputra. Guwhati is identified with the ancient city of Pragjyotishpura overlooked by the hallowed temple to goddess Kamakhva. In the Mahabharata, it was the capital or the Kamrup kingdom under Narakasura and his son Bhagadattu who fought in the battle of Kurukshetra on the side of the Kauravas. The 7th century Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, w ho visited the court of Bhaskar Barman writes that Pragjyotishpura stretched 19 kms from east to west and was the principal base for the kingdom's strong navy consisting of more than 30,000 war-boats. From the 7th century to the founding of Ahom rule in the l3th, Guwahati passed through the hands of the Palas, the Kamtas and the Kochs. Excavations in Ambari and at Cotton College suggest that it was a prosperous city from the 9th to the 11th century AD under the Palas. Under the Ahorns, the city saw a spurt of building activity, and it was during this period that most of the ponds in the city were excavated. Taking advantage of the weakening of Ahom rule in the last decades of the eighteenth century, the British East India Company made rapid inroads into the region. By 1938 they came to control entirely what is now the state of Assam. Guwahati received a boost with the establishment of the city of Shillong and the booming tea business. Burgeoning trade in tea and timber (not onlv from the northeast but also from Burma) hastened the arrival of railways and telegraph, laying of roads and increased accessibility. After Independence in 1947, Guwahati remained the most important commercial centre of northeast India. After 1972, when the state of Meghalaya was carved out of Assam, Shillong became the capital of Meghalaya while Dispur, a part of Guwahati town, was made the administrative capital of Assam. With its wide roads, serene water bodies and numerous parks, Guwahati is a well-planned and picturesque city. In the heart of Guwahati is the Pan Bazaar area. Not only it is it the commercial hub of the city but also houses some of Guwahati's important landmarks. The famous Cotton College, a premier educational institute, stands at the northern edge of Pan Bazaar. Established in 1901, the college was named after Sir Henry John Stedman Cotton, Chief Commissioner of the erstwhile British province of Assam. On the southeastern corner of Pan Bazaar is a large, rectangular lake, Dighali Pukhuri. The lake is believed to have been dug by Bhagadutta, king of Pragjvotishpura and was once connected by a canal to the Brahmaputra. It was used extensively by the Ahom rulers as a sheltered harbour for their naval vessels. Dighali Pukhuri derives its name from the word dighal meaning elongated. To the west of Dighali Pukhuri and facing the main entrance to Cotton College is Nehru Park. A little green oasis in the heart of town, the park preserves a number of rare species of plants. Behind Nehru Park is Christ Church. One of the earliest churches in northeast India, it was consecrated in 1859 by Reverend Daniel Wilson Bishop of Calcutta. The original structure collapsed in an earthquake in 1856 and was rebuilt in 1861. Barely four decades later it was destroyed once again in the earthquake of 1897 only to be rebuilt again in 1901. Curzon Hall, Earle Law College, Handique Girls' College, Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiri, Assam State Museum, Cotton College, Assam Sahitya Sabha, Assam Lawn Tennis Association and the High Court are located on the banks of Dighali Pukhuri. Assam State Museum, just east of the railway station, was established in 1940. Apart from separate sections on archaeology, numismatics and epigraphy, it has particularly interesting ethnographic displays that include local crafts, a reconstructed tribal village and medieval stone and bronze sculptures from Ambari. Nagkata Pukhuri derives its name from the custom of serpent worship, prevalent in medieval Assam. Its origin is traced back to the days of the Ahom king, Swargadeo Pramatta Singha (1744-1751). Sil Pukhuri derives its present name from a stone (sil) inscription found on its banks, in Sanskrit, but written in Ahomiya alphabets. The inscription mentions that the pond was excavated by Tarun Duwara Phukan in 1753 AD, during the reign of Swargadeo Rajeshwar Singha (1751-1769). The pond now stands in the middle of Guwahati's business district, surrounded by bustling shops and high-rise residential buildings. Sil Pukhuri was originally called Nau Konia Pukhuri, (or 'the lake with nine corners'). It is believed that when the lake was excavated, nine wells were dug in nine corners. Water was taken from these nine wells to perform the navagraha bath (a ritual bath involving invocations and incantations to the nava or nine grahas or planets). Shaktipeeths of Guwahati The immediate environs of Guwahati are blessed with four shaktipeeths. Kamakhya Temple on Nilachal Hill where the yoni fell Dirgheswari Temple in north Guwahati where Sati’s thigh fell Ugratara Temple, where her navel landed Bhubaneshwari Temple atop Nilarhal hill where the head of the goddess fell Jor Pukhuri is the name given to a pair (jor) of identical tanks, separated by a road excavated during the reign of the Ahom rulers. Ugratara Temple, a prominent centre of Shakti cult stands on the northern bank of Jor l'ukhuri. legend has it that after Vishnu dismembered Satis body her navel fell on the spot where the temple now stands. The temple was built in 1725 AD by the Ahom king, Swargadeo Siva Singha (1714-1744), who was also instrumental in excavating Jor Pukhuri to facilitate the needs of the devotees at the temple. Like Dighali Pukhuri, it was connected to the Brahmaputra and formed the naval and ship-building base of the Ahom kings. That ancient Guwahati was a significant seat of astrology and astronomy is attested by the Navagraha Temple. Located on Chitranchal Hill, northeast of the city centre, the temple, according to scholars, was in the heart of Pragjyotishpura. The temple has a red beehive-shaped dome and enshrines nine lingas representing the nine planets in its inner sanctum. A short distance northwest of Sil Pukhuri is Ujan Bazar. Sprawled out along the southern bunks of the Brahmaputra, the area is best known for its fish market or the maach ghat where a flurry of trading activity is to be seen every morning. Be sure to reach very early as the day's business usually wraps up by 7 am. According to local lore, Ujan Bazaar derives its name from the word azaan (Muslim call for prayer) due to the presence of a mosque in the urea. Another theory suggests that the name comes from the Ahomiya word jaan (a rivulet), though no such stream exists any longer. A little ahead of Ujan Bazaar, along the river, is Sukreshwar Devalaya, a Shiva temple, constructed in 1744 by the Ahom king Swargadeo Pramatta Singha. From the wee hours of the morning, devotees throng the temple to .seek the deity's blessings before setting about their daily activities. Shops outside the temple, adjoining the main road, sell flowers, mainly marigold and tulsi and bel leaves. The main temple is approached by a long flight of steps and is guarded by two beautifully sculpted Nandis. The huge linga enshrined in the temple's garbhagriha is considered by locals as one of the twelve rive jyotirlingas or ‘lingas of light', marking the spots where Shiva pierced the earth with columns of fire. Within the same complex is the equally popular Janardan Devalaya dedicated to Vishnu. This is believed to be an older temple, rebuilt in the 18th century. A small pathway at the back of the temple complex leads down to Sukreshwar Ghat, the jetty from where Assam Tourism's Brahmaputra river cruises take off. Midway down the steps, if one looks to the right, one is completely unprepared for the breathtaking sculptures carved into the rock-face, that look out on to the river. Said to be over 600 years old, the sculptures, depicting Brahma and other Hindu deities, are in a remarkable state of preservation. Nearby is the Gateway of Guwahati, erected, it is said, to commemorate the visit of Thomas Baring, the Earl of Northbrook, while he served as Viceroy of India (1872-76). Paltan Bazaar, another of the citv's commercial centres, lies to the east of Ujan Bazaar. It forms the transportation and hospitality hub of Guwahati. Apart from the city's railway station, Paltan Bazaar also houses the main depot of the state-owned Assam State transport Corporation (ASTC). Most of the city's hotels -both high-end as well as budget establishments - function from Paltan Bazaar. The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre here is the largest of its kind in the world. Set up in 1970, it handles most of the tea business of Assam. The scale of its turnover can be judged by the fact that Assam produces 55% of India's tea and accounts for 80% of India's tea export. A short ferry ride from Kachari Ghat takes one to Peacock Island. This tiny island on the Brahmaputra, with its spiritually stirring vista, is home to the Umananda Temple. The temple is located atop the Bhasmachala Hill (or the ‘hill of ashes') on the island. Legend has it that Lord Shiva used the island as one of his meditation spots. Once when he was deep in meditation, he was disturbed by Kamdev, the god of love. Infuriated by his actions, Shiva burned Kamdev and the mound of his ashes formed the present hill. The temple was built in 1694 AD by the general Garhganya Handique under orders from Gadadhar Singh (1681-1696), one of the ablest and strongest rulers of the Ahom dynasty. The original temple was damaged during the devastating earthquake of 1897. Later, it was reconstructed by a rich, local merchant who chose to inscribe the interiors of the Shiva temple with Vaishnavite slogans. The island is also home to the rare golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), first brought to the attention of science by the naturalist E P Gee in the mid-20th century. Although the tiny island has over ten of these beautiful animals, they are extremely difficult to spot, and sightings are, hence, counted as fortuitous. Ferries ply to and from the island all day long. The best time, however, to explore the island is during the afternoon. The island, as well as the trip back offers spectacular views of sunset over the immense Brahmaputra. The sky is painted a bright shade of red and the afterglow persists even when the sun is long gone. Located in the Panjabari area of the citv, Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra is a multi-arts complex that aims to preserve and promote the socio-culrural heritage of Assam. The complex has an open-air theatre and a central museum that showcases various artifacts made by the different ethnic groups of Assam. The open-air theatre, a replica of the Rang Ghar in Sivasagar can hold about 2,000 persons, and stages folk festivals, traditional dances and theatre. There is an Artists' Village where resident and invited artists display and sell their creations. A section of the village portravs rural life in Assam through life-like statues and model thatched huts. Sahitya Bhavan in Kalakshetra has a huge collection of rare books and manuscripts. It is a repository of the literature of the region. Another section of the art complex is the Lalit Kala Bhavan. It organizes exhibitions and workshops on art and culture. A heritage park is also a part of the huge complex About a 45-minute drive east from Pan Bazaar, some of it through picturesque country roads, takes one to Basishtha Ashram. Located on the outskirts of the Garbhanga Reserve Forest, this serene temple complex is believed to have been the hermitage of the legendary sage Basishtha. Basishtha was one of the saptarishis or seven great sages of Hindu mythology. In the Ramayana he is said to have tutored Lord Rama and his brothers. The ashram is nestled like a well-hidden jewel some distance away from the Basishtha Chariali or the main crossing where NH 37 intersects Basishtha Road. An 18th century Shiva Temple built by the Ahom king, Kajeshwar Singh, greets the visitor as he steps into the sylvan environs of the hermitage. While the large mandapa of the temple is frequented by sadhus in Vermillion robes, the paid guardians of the temple precincts are the monkeys who ring the bells near the ashram gate when given a little morsel of food Devotees, used to the simian presence, light lamps and offer incense to the dvurapalas and lesser deities who flank the doorway to the garbhagriha. They then proceed inside to make offerings to a shivalinga, barely visible in the dimly lit interiors, and receive prasad. Steps leading down from the Shiva Temple take you to the smaller Ganesh Temple, with its curious conical spire surrounded by smaller similar-shaped turrets. A path carries on further to three streams, Sandhya, Lalila and Kanta, that flow down from the waterfall that cascades beside the ashram. On winter evenings, the flow of the streams is considerably reduced as compared to the gush during the rainy seasons. Yet, on any given day, families, lovers and tourists are to be found sitting on the giant rocks that flank the streams and soak in the tranquility. Today, both picnickers and devotees will find a host of culinary options at the modest eateries that have cropped up beside the car park outside the ashram. Heading westward towards the airport, a short way off National Highway 31, is Deepor Beel, a large freshwater lake surrounded by wetlands of immense biological importance. Covering a total area of 414 hectares, the lake (beel in Ahomiya) and its Surroundings support the livelihood of over 1,200 tribals in 14 villages around it, and also protect and nurture a unique ecological habitat. From the smaller phytoplankton to the giant water lily (Euryale ferox), the floating water hyacinth to deciduous forests rich in teak, sal and bamboo, it forms the 'lung space' that constantly replenishes the increasingly choked metropolitan air. It was designated a Ramsar site in November 2002 under the Ramsar Convention for the protection of wetlands. The beel is a natural habitat to as many as 219 species of endemic and over 70 species of migratory birds. During the winters, it is very common to spot congregations of more than 20,000 migratory aquatic birds. Some of the globally threatened species like the spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis), lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus.), Baer’s pochard (Aythya Baeri), Pallas’ sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and greater adjutant stork (Leptoptilos dubius) can be seen here. Close by, in Jalukbari, stands the Gauhati University campus overlooking the Brahmaputra. Established in 1948, the University is among the oldest in the northeastern states. Connecting the city of Guwahati with the northern bank of the Brahmaputra is the 1.5 km long Saraighat Bridge, built where the Brahmaputra is at its narrowest in its entire course through Assam. This was also the Site of the historic battle of Saraighat. Construction of this bridge began in 1958 and upon completion in 1962, it became India's first road cum-rail bridge. This helped create a railway link between the northeastern states with the rest of the country. The bridge remains of immense strategic importance and is heavily guarded by armed police. Across the Saraighat Bridge is the futuristic Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, built in 2007 for the National Games of India. Kamakhya Temple Kamakhya Temple, on Nilachal hill, eight kilometres west of Guwahati railwav station, is one of the most venerated shaktipeeths in India. The temple is dedicated to goddess Kamakhya, an incarnation of Sati. It is on Nilachal Hill, says the Shiva Purana, that the yoni or creative organ of Sati fell when Vishnu, in a bid to save the world from the Shiva's tandava nrittya or dance of destruction, cut her dead body into 51 pieces with his sudarshan chakra. The garbhagriha deep inside the temple, marks the sacred spot and is kept covered with red silken cloth. Inscriptional evidence dates the temple to 5th-6th century, however the present structure was built in the 16th century by the Koch king Naranarayan. The temple is perhaps the earliest of the surviving Koch monuments in Assam. It is said that in a battle with the Nawab of Gaur, Naranaravan's army suffered a crushing defeat and his brother Chilarai was taken prisoner. Chilarai prayed to goddess Kamakhya, who assured him of his imminent release. No sooner than she had spoken, that news reached that the Nawab's mother was dying of snakebite. Only Chilarai could save her from the jaws of death. Grateful, the Nawab ordered his immediate release. On his return, Naranarayan and Chilarai rebuilt the Kamakhya Temple. Legend however attributes a much higher force behind the construction of the temple. It is said that once, Kamdev, the god of love disturbed Shiva while he was meditating. Infuriated, Shiva turned Kamdev to a pile of ashes. Kamdev's wife Rati, pleaded with Shiva to bring her husband back to life. Moved by Rati's tears, Shiva agreed on condition that she built a temple to Sati on the spot where her yoni had fallen, on Xilachal Hill. It is also said that Assam's ancient name, Kamrup, was derived from the belief that it was here that Kamdev resumed his original rup or form. A sleep path up the hill to Kamakhya Temple is said to have been built by the mythological king, Narakasura. Flanked by wild flowers, the path is referred to as mekhela ujuwa path or the road where you have to lift your mckhela high. Today, the steps leading up to the temple are flanked by a host of shops selling puja paraphernalia. On the right is a carved, colourful gate that leads to the Tara Temple, one of the many subsidiary shrines devoted to eight manifestations of the Mother Goddess, the others being Bagala, Tripurasundari, Kamala, Matandi, Shvama, Bhairavi. Dhumawartand Bhuvaneshwari. Each has their separate shrines in and around the temple complex. As one enters through an elaborately carved archway, one is greeted by the imposing shikhara of the main Kamakhva Temple. The temple itself is reached by climbing down steep steps. It has a pancharatha base and hemispherical shikhara, embellished with honey-comb patterns, tagged by historians as the 'Nilachal' style. This departure in structural idiom set forth a new style in temple architecture, which was later adopted by the Ahom kings to erect their magnificent dols or temples in Sivasagar. Shaktipeeths One of the most popular legends associated with Devi worship is that of King Daksha and his son in-law, the great Shiva. Once Daksha invited all the gods tor a yagna, except Shiva. His daughter Sati, utterly humiliated with the insult meted out to her husband, plunged into the sacrificial fire and immolated herself. Overcome with sorrow, Shiva held her charred body and broke into the tandava nrittya, the dance of destruction, annihilating everything in his way. Durga Bhagwata records that Vishnu, to save the world, splintered Sati's body with his sudarshan chakra. Pieces of the body were flung in various directions and these spots became charged with primordial energy and came to be known as shaktipeeths. The Nilachal style is seen by several scholars as a fusion of Islamic and traditional Hindu architecture. Around the shikhara were built isolated angashikharas like the minarets around an Islamic dome. The saving goes that the artisans who built the Kamakhya Temple were brought from Koch Bihar and were hence more well-versed with Islamic architecture. The temple consists of three mandapas. The antarala has u plain do-chala roof while the jungha (outer wall) of the temple is decorated with ornate sculptures. A flight of steep steps descends into the garbhagriha or inner sanctum which is a dark, underground chamber. Here, a rock covered with red cloth symbolizes the spot charged with divine shakti and stays moist from the waters of an underground spring. Emerging from the garbhagriha on to the open, the temple faces a series of steps that lead to the Saubhagya Kund, overlooked by a Ganesh shrine. The story goes that the mythical warrior-saint, Parashurama once practiced tapasya or penance at the shrine of Kamakhya. Ambuvaci The most popular festival here is the 4-day annual festival of Ambuvaci. The festival of Ambubaci (June-July) celebrates the harmony between the reproductive female body and the cycles of nature. As the mother goddess is believed to be menstruating, for three days the temple is closed for worship. Devotees hold kirtans through the night while sadhus chant outside the temple to allow the divine mother her privacy. Ploughing the fields during these three days is forbidden. The festival is the celebration of the divine mother’s retreat from the demands of her devotees, who are constantly beseeching her. For these days, she resides in the solitude of her feminine nature and enjoys freedom from the concerns of her children. At the end of three days the temple doors are opened, amid great festivity. Devotees from far and wide throng the temple. A piece of red cloth is offered as prasad (consecrated item) and believed to convey wondrous blessings. Then, it is said, a pool sprang forth from the mind of Brahma and the Divine Mother appeared before Parashurama to take a dip in the lake’s cool waters. Upon seeing her, Parashurama spontaneously recited the Saubhagya Stotra, and the pool came to be known as the Saubhagya Kund or the Pool of Divine Benediction. Scholars hold that in ancient times, Nilachal Hill was the site of Khasi sacrificial worship. A natural spring in a cave here oozes out reddish water during the month of Ashadha (June-July). This is attributed by most scholars to the presence of Hematite, an oxide of iron, in the rock. The Khasis believed it to be the menstrual blood of the mother goddess and venerated it. From Kamakhya Temple, a road winds up to the hilltop where another shaktipeeth, Bhubaneshwari Temple, is located. Built in late Ahom period, it is said that Sati’s head fell here. The road leading to Bhubaneshwari Temple offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day one gets a view of the city of Guwahati sprawled along the banks of the Brahmaputra.

Buddhism

Satras of Assam

The Institution of Satra is a unique feature of Vaishnavism in Assam, founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. Satras are basically monasteries which propogate neoVaishnavism. They also became centres for education and dissemination of the art of harmonius living. In 15th century the first Satra was founded in Majuli. Since then sixty five Satras have come up for the propagation of ethics and socio-cultural ideals. However, at present there are only twenty two Satras in Majuli. The others had to be shifted to safer places due to the devastation of flood and erosion. The main existing Satras are: Dakhinpat Satra: Founded by Banamalidev, an exponent of Raasleela, which is now observed as one of the National Festivals of Assam. During Rasotsava several thousand devotees visit these holy Satras every year. Garamurh Satra: Founded by Lakshmikantadeva. During the end of Autumn, traditional Raasleela (co-acting) is shown with great enthusiasm. Some ancient weapons called "Bortop" (canons) are preserved here. Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the Satra is famous for "Paalnaam" and Apsara Dance and also its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts. Kamalabari Satra: Founded by Bedulapadma, it is a centre of art, cultural, literature and classical studies. It's branch, Uttar Kamalabari Satra, has showcased the Satria Art in several states of India and abroad. Bengenaati Satra: It is a storehouse of antiques of cultural importance and an advance centre of performing art. Muraridev, the grand son of Sankardeva's step mother founded this Satra. The royal robes belonging to the Ahom king Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha, made of gold and an golden umbrella are preserved here. Shamaguri Satra: The satra is home to famous Mask crafts. Batadrawa Satra: It is the birthplace of the greatest Vaishnava Saint Srimanta Sankardev,a Shrine and a centre of Vaishnava art and culture. It is about 140 kms. from Guwahati and about 15 kms. from Nagaon town. Barpeta Satra and Kirtanghar : This famous Shrine and Kirtanghara attracts Vaishanavas from all over India. It was established by Madhadeva, the greatest discipleof Shankardeva.