tourist spots in assam

Kaziranga National Park

The first and the oldest National Park in Assam situated in Golaghat District, is a World Heritage site. Spread over an area of 430 sq. kms., Kaziranga National Park is the natural home of the one-horned Indian rhinoceros.

Declared a National Park in 1974 the landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes and shallow pools.
The one horned Rhinoceros, Elephant, Indian bison, Swamp Deer, Samber, Hog Deer, Sloth Bear, Tiger, Leopard cat, Jungle cat, Hog badger, Capped langur, Hollock gibbon, Jackal, Goose, Hornbills, Ibis, Cormorants, Egret, Heron fishing eagle etc. all form a part of the very complex ecological balance of the park.
During Winter a large number of migratory birds are also seen here.
The Park can be visited by Jeep, Car or on Elephant back.

Kaziranga is 217 kms from Guwahati and 96 kms from Jorhat by road.The nearest airport is Rowriah(Jorhat). Tourists can either fly to Jorhat or can go by surface to Kaziranga from Guwahati.
The nearest railhead is Furkating.

Hollock Gibbon is the only ape found in the Indian sub continent. They require prime evergreen forest for survival.

The best season to visit is from November to April.
Recommended clothing is Woolen in Winter and light cottons in Summer.

Manas National Park

The only Tiger Project in Assam, Manas is one of India’s most magnificent National Parks. It is situated on the bank of the river Manas at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is a well known World heritage site with it’s unique combination of scenic beauty and rare wealth of wildlife.

Covering an area of 519.77 Sq. Kms, it has a core area of 360 Kms and is situated in Barpeta District. Manas is one of the nine tiger reserve sanctuaries in India. Tigers however are not the only wildlife to be found here. Manas has its own peculiar faunal features, the rarest species of which are Hispid Hare, Pigmy Hog, Golden Langur, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Buffalo etc. Other commonly seen animals are Elephant, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Wild Boar, Samber, Swamp Deer, Hog Deer etc.
View of the river flowing through Manas National Park
Hundreds of the winged species migrate to the friendly climate of Manas during Winter. Among them are Riverchats (White Capped Redstars), Forktails, Cormorants and various types of ducks including the Ruddy Shelduck. The woodland birds are no less charming and include the Indian Hornbill and the Great Pied Hornbill.

Manas is 176 kms from Guwahati by road. The nearest airport is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati. The nearest railhead is Barpeta Road Station which is 40 kms away from Manas.
Season to visit is from November to April.

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

The fourth National Park of the state, this National Park lies partly in Dibrugarh district and partly in Tinsukia district and covers an area of about 340 sq.km.
This important species is found commonly in Assam

Of the seven parts of the park one part is wet land and the rest is mainly grassland and dense forest. The main attractions of Dibru-Saikhowa National Park are its semi-wild horse and White winged Wood- Duck. Other animals are Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Slow Loris, Indian wild water Buffalo, Capped Langur, Gangetic River Dolphin, Indian Wild Dog etc.
More than 250 varieties of local and migratory birds are also found in this Park.
The best season to visit is from November to March.

Nameri National Park

Situated at the foot hills of eastern Himalayas, Nameri National Park covers an area of about 200 sq. km. Hills, deciduous forests and the river Jia Bhoroli have all added a unique charm to it.
It is about 35 km. from Tezpur town which is 181 km. from Guwahati.The nearest airport is Salonibari(Tezpur).

Atlas Moth with a wing span of more than 10 inches has been spotted at Nameri National Park
Many wildlife species are found here such as the Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Indian Bison, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Pangolin, Indian Wild Dog, Civet Cat, Capped Langur etc.
Nameri is a haven for bird watchers which include the most endangered White Winged Wood duck, four species of Hornbill in abundance, the small and beautiful Scarlet Minivet, to name a few. Many species of reptiles are also found in this National Park.

It is an entomologist’s paradise. A huge variety of different butterflies and moths are found here. Atlas Moth with a wing span of more than 10 inches has also been spotted here.
The best season to visit is from October to April.

A very rare and endangered species found in Assam. Was nearly extinct at one time but has healthy population now.
Orang (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park

It is a miniature Kaziranga covering an area of 78.81 sq. kms. and is situated in the Darrang District of Assam. Sixty percent of the sanctuary is grassland. The animals seen in this sanctuary are the One-horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, Elephant, Sambar, Barking Deer, Tiger, varieties of water birds, Green Pigeon, Florican, Teal , Goose, etc.

Most endangered bird found in Assam’s sanctuaries. Out of a total world population of 250, about 200 adjutant storks are found in Assam.

Various species of birds such as the Pelican, Cormorant, Greylag Goose, Large Whistling TeaGreat Adjutant Stork, King Vulture etc. have also found this sanctuary to be their ideal habitat.

Orang is 150 kms from Guwahati and 31 kms from Tezpur. The nearest railhead is Rongapara and the nearest airport is Salonibari(Tezpur). Both Govt. & Private buses ply regularly from Guwahati.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in the Morigaon district, Pobitora is one of the major wildlife sanctuaries of Assam. It is about 60 km. from Guwahati City, situated on the border of Nagaon and Kamrup Dist.

Covering an area of 38.8 Sq. km., Pobitora is mainly famous for its Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. Other animals such as the Asiatic Buffalo, Leopard, Wild Bear, Civet Cat etc. are also found here. More than 200 birds and various reptiles are found in this sanctuary.

The best season to visit is from November to March.

Is an endemic species found commonly in the forests in Assam
Bura-Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary

Another magnificent wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 44.06 sq. kms. is Bura-Chapori. It is situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra in Sonitpur District.It is considered to be an ideal habitat for the Bengal Florican.Various species of migratory birds are also seen here.Other attractions are the Great Indian One horned Rhinocerous, Asiatic Buffalo, Wild Boar, Otter, Civet Cat, Leopard Cat, Barking Deer, etc. Various reptiles and fish are also found here.

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

Covering an area of 70.13 sq. kms Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Nagaon Dist. and is only 25 kms from Nagaon town. Its main attraction is the Great Indian one horned Rhinocerous. Other animals found here are Tiger, Elephant, Leopard, Asiatic Buffalo, Wild Boar, Civet Cat, Leopard Cat, Hog Deer etc. Various species of birds and reptiles are also found in Laokhowa.

The sanctuaries in Assam are home to many different species of deer.

Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary, 220 Sq. Kms. in area, is situated in Sonitpur District. Extending along the Himalayan foothills it offers a magnificent view of both scenery and wildlife. The sanctuary is home to Elephants, Indian Bison, Deer and a variety of hill birds.

Pobha or Milroy Sanctuary

Covering an area of 49 sq. kms., Pobha Wildlife sanctuary is situated in Lakhimpur District. It is a sanctuary created exclusively for the protection of the magnificent Wild Water Buffalo.

Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary

Covering an area of approximately 45.568 sq. kms, this sanctuary is located in the Dhubri District of Assam and is 68 kms from Dhubri.

This area was recognised as a Sanctuary by the Govt. of Assam on 14th July’1994. It is surrounded by hills and there are two lakes on either side of the sanctuary. The world famous Golden Langur was discovered here in the year 1986.

Many different mammals, birds, twenty three species of reptiles, more than forty butterfly species are found in this area. Hornbills are also seen here.

Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary

Wedged between the Himalayas and Bhutan, this sanctuary is situated in the Darrang District of Assam. It covers an area of 26.22 sq kms. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1980 by the Govt of Assam especially for the protection of the Hispid Hare and Pigmy Hog.

Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary

This small sanctuary covering an area of 6.05 sq. kms was recognised as a sanctuary by the Govt. of Assam in 1952. Situated in Karbi Anglong district, it is 25 kms from Golaghat and 65 kms from Kaziranga National Park. This area is famous for it’s hot water springs.
Animals found here are Elephants, Leopards,Tigers, Deer, Golden Langurs, Hoolok Gibbons in additon to a large variety of birds and reptiles.

Pani Dihing Bird Sanctuary

Covering an area of 33.93 sq. kms, Pani Dihing was declared a sanctuary in December ’1996 by the Govt. of Assam. It is situated in Sibsagar district. Pani Dihing is famous for migratory birds. Adjutant Storks, Fishing Eagle etc. are commonly found here.

Deeporbeel Bird Sanctuary(Proposed)

Deeporbeel is situated at a distance of 18 kms from Guwahati city and is a proposed Bird Sanctuary.The area of the sanctuary is 4.14 sq kms. In this area 120 different types of birds have been listed by Dept of Forest, Assam. Adjutant Storks, Fishing Eagle, Kingfisher etc. are found here.

Bordoibum Beelmukh Bird Sanctuary(Proposed)

Bordoibum Beelmukh is also a proposed Bird sanctuary.It is situated at 50-55 metres above sea level in Dhemaji district. Bordoibam was formed after the great earthquake of 1950 when the river Subansiri changed it’s course. Adjutant Storks, Fishing Eagle etc. are found here.

Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary

Nambor Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 37 sq. kms. Situated in Karbi Anglong district, it is 25 kms from Golaghat and 65 kms from Kaziranga National Park. Animals commonly found here are Elephants, Tigers, found here.

East Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary covers an area of 221.81 sq. kms and is situated in Karbi Anglong District.Animals commonly found here are Elephant, Tiger, Bison, Bear etc.

Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 96 sq. kms. Situated in Karbi Anglong district. Animals commonly found here are Elephant, Tiger, Leopard etc.

Reserved Forests are Holongpar in Jorhat District, Jaipur in Dibrugarh District, Barail in North Cachar District, Dhansiri in Karbi-Anglong District, Dumduma in Tinsukia District and Dipu-Chirang in Kokrajhar District.

Temples in assam
The Shakti temple of Mother Goddess Kamakhaya, the greatest shrine of tantric shaktism.
Nestled in the Brahmaputra valley this state has Tantrik Shaktism, Shivaism and later Vaishnavism flourishing in its laps. From time to time people from different races, religion and culture have migrated to this place.

The Mohmmedan invasions brought Islam into the state. Sikhism flourished here, Buddhist communities have kept the flag of Buddhism flying high. The famous editordwara at Dhubri established by the ninth Sikh editor Teg Bahadur is held in the high veneration by the sikhs throughout the country.

With the advent of new faith & religion many temples and monuments were built all over Assam. Most of these architectural graduers belong to the medieval period and represent the architectural style of the Koch, Kachari and Ahom royal courts. These temples and monuments, spread almost all over Assam, bear silent witness to a glorious past.

Temples & Monuments in and around Guwahati

Kamakhya Temple

The Shakti Temple of mother Goddess Kamakhya situated on the top of Nilachal Hills, overlooking river Brahmaputra, is 8 Km. away from the railway station of Guwahati.

The greatest shrine of tantric Shaktism find mention in the inscription of the Allahabad pillar of Samudragupta. Devotees from all over India converge on this holy place during Ambubashi and Manasha Puja. City buses ply regularly to Kamakhya. It can be easily reached by auto-rickshaw as well.

Nabagraha Temple

The temple of nine planets situated on Chitra Chal Hill in Guwahati. It is 3 km away from the Railway Station. In ancient times, it was said to have been a great centre of study of astronomy and astrology. This is also one of the reasons why Guwahati is referred to as Pragjyotishpur or the city of eastern Astrology. It can be approached by taxi or auto-rickshaw.

The temple of nine planets believed to be the ancient seat of study of Astronomy.
Umananda Temple

The great Shiva temple situated on the Peacock island in the middle of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati attracts devotees from all over the country during Shiva Ratri. One can visit the temple by crossing the river by country boat plying from Kachari ghat. On the north bank of the Brahmaputra, opposite Guwahati, where the third Pandava Arjun is believed to have watered his horse while undertaking journey during Ashwamedh Yajna. Regular ferry services are available to this place.

Shiva temple situated in the midst of the river Brahmaputra.
Basisthashram

Situated in the southern-most rim of Guwahati city on the Sandhyachal hill is a well known holy cum picnic spot, called Basisthashram, after the great vedic Sage Bashistha, who is said to have lived here. Three rivulets named Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta meet here and flow perenially adding scenic grandeur to the place. It is 12 Kms. from the Guwahati Railway Station. City buses ply regularly to the Ashram.

Mahabhairab Temple

An ancient temple where King Bana worshipped Mahabhairab, another incarnation of Lord Shiva. A place of pilgrimage.

This Shiva temple is regarded as the oldest Shiva shrine where thousands converge on “Shiv Ratri”.

Madan Kamdev

Barely 40 kms. away from the sprawling metropolis Guwahati, on N.H. 52 Madan Kamdev is an enigma, a mystery, a marvel and in the words of Omar Khayam, “a veil past which I could not see”. Very little is known about the origin of this magnificient archaeological ruins.Written history is almost silent on it, leaving wide room for conjectures and hypothesis.

Very little is known about this archaeological ruins, making it a mystery.
Kamrupa – the ancient name of Assam, is believed to have derived its name from the legend that love God Kama or Madan, after being turned into ashes by an angry Shiva, was reborn here. One school believes that Madan was reborn and united to Rati on this tiny hillock. The season to visit is from October to May.

Satra

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.

Poa-Mecca

There is also a mosque built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia and is held that it has one-fourth sanctity of Mecca and so it is known as Poa-Mecca. It is believed that by offering prayer a faithful gains one-fourth (poa) spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca and so is known as Poa-Mecca.

Poa-Mecca is believed to have one-fourth the sanctity of Mecca, a place of pilgrimage for the Muslims.
Temples & Monuments in and around Tezpur

Da-Parbatia

The ruins of the door frame of Da-Parbatia Temple a few kms. from Tezpur town, is perhaps the finest and oldest specimen of sculptural or iconoclastic art in Assam. It’s carving has the characteristics of the style of early Gupta School of sculpture. The door-jambs having two goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, standing below with garlands in their hands in artistic pose and elegance are decorated with beautiful ornamental foliage.

Preserving the sweet memory of young lovers, Agnigarh is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Tezpur.

Agnigarh

“Preserving the sweet memory of young lovers”, Agnigarh or the rampart, surrounded by fire, is perhaps the most beautiful tourist spots in Tezpur. According to legend, Princess Usha, the only daughter of King Bana, was kept inside the palace which was surrounded by rampart of fire. The present Agnigarh, now only a hillock facing the mighty Brahmaputra, provides the tourist a soul touching panoramic view of both the river and Tezpur town.