Assam

Situated on the southern bank of the river Brahamputra, Gauhati is the gateway to North-east India. It is the capital of Assam State and important business and communication center.

Places of Interest :

1. Janardhan Temple : In the heart of Gauhati, it stands on the Sukleswar hillock on the river bank. It contains an image of the Buddha representing the assimilation of the Buddhist and Hindu cultures.

2. Kamakshya Temple : 10 km from Gauhati on the Pandu Road and situated on the sacred Nilachal Hill, Kamakshya temple is representative of old Assamese architecture. The shikhara or spire of the temple follows the pattern of a beehive, commonly used in the temple of Assam. The temple dedicated to the goddess Kamkshya (Kali), has been a center of the Tantric form of Hinduism and Saktism. A motorable road leads to the top of the hill from where a panoramic view of Gauhati and the sunset across the river Brahmaputra can be seen.

3. Navagarh Temple : Navagarh or Nine Planets Temple is situated west of Chitrachal Hill. It was once the seat of study of astronomy and astrology in ancient India.

4. Umananda Temple : Situated in the middle of the river Brahamputra on the Peacock Island, opposite Gauhati court, this is one of the picturesque temple in Assam. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

5. Zoo (Assam state) : This zoo has Rhinoceros, Tiger, Lion, Panther, Wild bison, slow loris among other species and rich bird life. Zoo opened from : 6.00 to 18.00 hrs. in Summer.

   7.00 to 17.00 hrs. in Winter.

6. Anthropological Museum : This museum is situated in Department of Anthropology, Gauhati University. It has the Ethnological collection of all branches of anthropology. Open from : 10.00 to 16.00 hrs. closed on University holidays.

7. Assam Forest Museum : It contains exotic ferns and plants. Open from : 10.00 to 16.00 hrs : Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00 hrs : Closed on Sundays.

8. Assam Government Cottage Industries Museum : open from :10.00 to 16.00 hrs. : Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00 hrs : Closed on Sundays.

9. Department of Historical and Antiquarian Research : It contains manuscripts and records. Open from : 10.00 to 16.00 hrs. : Closed on Sundays.

10. Museum of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science : This museum is situated at Assam Veterinary College. Open from : 10.00 to 16.00 hrs. : Closed on Sundays.

11. Assam State Museum : It contains Archaeology, stone sculpture, images and inscriptions, paintings, costumes, ethonology, metal, ivery and woodworks, royal costumes and curios.

    Open from : 9.30 to 15.30 hrs. : Sundays : 9.30 to 12.30 hrs. : Closed on Mondays.

12. Basistha Ashram : 12 km to the south of Gauhati lies the Basistha Ashram believed to be the place where the famous rishi or sage Basistha lived. Three streams Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta flow nearby adding to the beauty of the place. It is a place of pilgrimage and also a picnic spot.

Excursion :

1. Hajo : Hajo is situated at a distance of 24 km from Gauhati across the river Brahmaputra. The Hayagriba Mandap Temple and Pao Mecca mosque are located here. According to some Buddhists, the Buddha attained Nirvana here. Pao mecca mosque built by Pir Ghiasudding Aulia, which is supposed to have one fourth (pao) of the sanctity of Mecca.

2. Sualkashi : (24 km) Situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputr, this famous silk producing village where every household weaves the well-known Assam silk Endi, Muga and Pat. Ferry services operates between south Gauhati and north Gauhati.

3. Orang : (150 km) Orang wildlife sanctury is situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra. The animals to be observed here are rhinoceros, tiger, bear, wild boar, sambhar, hog deer, barking deer, golden langur and many other animals. The bird life both indigenous and migratory is quite rich.

Accommodation : There is forest rest house which should be booked in advance.

Air : Airport is 22 km from the city Indian Airlines Office.

Bus : Regular buses to Barpeta Road, Kaziranga, Jorhat etc.

Conducted tour : Gauhati City sight seeing tour, excursions tours of Kaziranga National Park and Manas

Wildlife Sanctuary. (On Saturdays )

This sanctuary is located in the North Kamrup district of Assam. The sparkling waters of the Manas river sweep through the Bhutan ravines and spills itself onto the plains of Assam. Here it forms the three river courses of Manas, Hakua and Beki, making a glorious panorama of nature. Rowing down downstream this river by country boat is a thrilling and memorable experience as wide verities of birds and animals can be seen during the journey.

More then half of the sanctuary area is covered with tall grass and scattered patches of wood land. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 2837 sq. km. Extending from the Sankosh river in the West to the Dhansiri river in the East.

Conducted Tour : (From Mothangure) For Viewing the Animals.

Jeep : Rs.5.00/- per head. Minimum charges Rs.15.00/-.

Elephant : Rs.30.00/- per elephant ride, Maximum number three persons.

Accomodation : Manas Tourist Lodge.

Forest Bungalow, Mothanguri.

Bhutan Tourist Lodge, Mothanguri.

Tourist Bungalow, Barpeta Road.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Gauhati (176 km).

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is at Barpeta road (40 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Barpeta Road, buses play between Barpeta Road and Gauhati.

Orang : (150 km from Gauhati) Orang wildlife sanctuary is situated on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra. The animals to be observed here are rhinoceros, tiger, bear, wild boar, sambhar, hog deer, barking deer, golden langur and many other animals. The bird life both indigenous and migratory is quite rich.

Sibsagar was the capital of the Ahom Kings who ruled Assam before the advent of the British. The town is built round the Sibsagar tank, dug over 200 years ago. The tank is above town level, although situated in the heart of the town. Some of the famous temples of sibsagar are located on its banks.

Places of Interest :

1. Sibsagar Tank and Temples : The tank comprising 129 acres of water, is fed by natural springs, the tank is surrounded by deep ditches and earthen moats. Three temples are built on its banks - Shiva temples, Vishnu Temple and Devidol Temple.

2. Talata Ghar : Built in 1699 by King Rudra Singha about 6 km from Sibsagar, it is an underground garrison having three storeys underground the lowest connected with Dikhow river by tunnel.

3. Kareng Ghar : 9 km from Sibsagar, this is a seven storeyed castle, four above and three below the ground, containing two under ground pathways to Dikhow river and Gargaon Palace.

4. Rang Ghar : The Ahom Kings watched elephant fights and other sporting events from this two-storeyed oval shaped pavilion built by king Pramutta Singha.

5. Joysagar Tank & Temple : Historical records reveal that the tank was constructed in 45 days at Rangpur in 1697. The tank stands on an area of 318 acres. On its banks stand the Joydol (Vishnu) temple, Shiva Temple, Devi Ghar and Ghanashyam (Nati Gosain) temples.

6. Gaurisagar : 16 km south of Sibsagar on the Assam Trunk road, Gaurisagar is constructed by Queen Phuleswari in the year 1723. This spring fed tank is 150 acres and on its bank stand three temples dedicated to Devi, Shiva and Vishnu.

7. Gargaon : The principal town of the Ahom kings, constructed by the 15^th Ahom King Suklenmung in 1540 lies 13 km east of Sibsagar. The present seven storeyed palace was built by king Rajeshwar Singha in about 1762. All the underground storeys and passages were blocked by the East India Company.

Air : Nearest Airport is at Jorhat (56 km)

Rail : Nearest Railway Station is at Simaluguri (19 km)

Bus : Regular buses to Gauhati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, etc.