TOP 10 PLACES TO VISIT IN ASSAM
Assam, land of red river and blue hills, It comprises of three main
geographical areas: the Brahmaputra Valley, the Barak Valley, and the intervening Karbi Plateau and North Cachar Hills. If you are looking for variety while choosing your holiday destination, this could be the perfect spot.
1) Kaziranga National Park
This protected area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and serves as one of the last remaining habitat of the Great Indian One-horned Rhinoceros. The park is spread over 430 sq. kms and you will find various wild species such as tiger, elephant, rhinoceros, Indian bison, sambar, deer and many more. If you love birds, you need to be here during winter as migratory birds are seen in great numbers.
2) Kamakhya Temple
It is one of the oldest of the 51 Shakti Pithas and is dedicated to mother goddess Kamakhya. River Brahmaputra flows on the northern side of the hill. The temple is over 2200 years old. it is the main temple in a complex of individual temples dedicated to the ten Mahavidyas: Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhuvaneshwari, Bhairavi, Chhinnamasta, Dhumavati, Bagalamukhi, Matangi and Kamala.
3) Hajo
It is an ancient pilgrimage centre for three religions Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Among the famous Hindu shrines in Hajo are Hayagriva Madhab Temple on Manikuta Hill, Kedareshwar Temple and Ganesha Temple. On the other hand Muslims also rever Hajo as a holy place and come here to pay homage at Powa Mecca. Buddhists see Hajo as a pious place where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana. It lies on the banks of the Brahmaputra River, 24 km from the city of Guwahati in the Kamrup district.
4) Charaideo
It was the first capital of the Ahom kingdom established by the first Ahom king Chao Lung Siu-Ka-Pha in 1228.It is about 30 km from Sibsagar town. The tombs (Maidams) of Ahom kings and queens at Charaideo hillocks are comparable to the Pyramids of Egypt and are objects of wonder revealing the excellent architecture and skill of the sculptors and masons of Assam of the medieval days.
5) Agnigarh
Agnigarh hill is situated in Tezpur in Assam. As per Hindu mythology, a fortress was built here by King Banasura with a view to isolate his daughter Usha. The legend further goes to say that the place derived the name owing to the fire that surrounded the fortress always to avoid movement in and out of the place. The name itself is derived from the words 'Agni' (meaning fire) and 'garh' (meaning fortress or wall) in Sanskrit.
6) Rangpur Palace/Rang Ghar/Talatal ghar/Kareng ghar
It is 3 km away from the center of the Sivasagar Town. Rangpur Palace is a seven-storied royal complex comprising the Talatal Ghar and the Kareng Ghar.Rang Ghar is a two-storied building which once served as the royal sports-pavilion where Ahom kings and nobles were spectators at games like buffalo fights and other sports at Rupahi Pathar (pathar meaning field in Assamese) - particularly during the Rongali Bihu festival in the Ahom capital of Rangpur.
7) Digboi
It is known as the Oil City of Assam, Asia’s first oil refinery and second in world. The first refinery was started here as early as 1901. Digboi has the oldest oil well in operation. The place with misty blue hills offers various attractions including Digboi Oil Refinery, Ridge Point and Digboi Centenary Museum. From Ridge Point, one could have a stunning view of snow-clad mountains of eastern Himalayas.
8) Madan Kamdev
It is an archaeological site in Baihata Chariali, Kamrup. This place dates back to the 9th and 10th century AD. Excavation and ruins here shows the prosperity and might of Pala dynasty of Kamarupa.
9) Dipor Bil
Also known as Deepor Beel is a permanent freshwater lake, Considered as one of the largest beels in the Brahmaputra valley. The Dipor Bil is reported to provide, directly or indirectly, its natural resources for the livelihood of fourteen indigenous villages located in its precincts.
10) Assam State Museum
The Assam State Museum is located in the southern end of Dighali Pukhuri tank which is in the heart of Guwahati city. The exhibits of the Museum are displayed under different sections, viz., Epigraphy, Sculptures-The sculptures from the Assam region fall into four principal categories - stone, wood, metal and terracotta, Miscellaneous, Natural History, Crafts, Anthropology & Folk Art & Arms section. The collections which are on display here, are very rare.