Umananda is nestled right in the middle of Brahmaputra river and the biggest river island is Majuli. The wildlife sanctuaries at Kaziranga and Pobitora, the scenic beauty of Brahmaputra, black magic of Mayong and its culture make Assam one of the most visited tourist sites in northeastern India. Therefore, looking at your persona we created this beautiful post for you.
So, let's right dive in to the beautiful historical places of Assam.
1. Guwahati
Guwahati is the gateway to many other places in the northeast. Nestled on the bank of River Brahmaputra, Guwahati is famous for its temples and amicable people. While the entire northeast is a treasure house of unblemished beauty and tranquillity, Guwahati can be safely the gateway to solo backpacking trips for travelers. The ancient temples like the Kamakhya temple and Umananda in Peacock Island dot the urban landscape.
Also known as "Peacock Island," the smallest inhabited river island in the world is here and open to visitors! Perched on the Brahmaputra, the ferry ride from Guwahati required to reach it is - who would've guessed - one of the biggest pulls, but there's so much more to this unexplored gem.
Home to troops and troops of golden langurs, the island is a heaven send for animal enthusiasts who want a glimpse of the endangered primates. The Umananda temple and Shiva temple are also worth the walk, both popular sites for the religious.
Featuring as a jewel in the crown of the Seven Sisters States, Guwahati will leave you amazed with its lush natural beauty, cultural heritage, diverse collection of flora and fauna and tantalizing cuisines. One of the famous festivals in Assam, held in Morigaon district, Jonbeel Mela is a common attraction for the visitors because of the barter system. It is a three day long fair during the Magh Bihu.
Mayong is a small village located near Guwahati, the capital of Assam. On reaching this village surrounded by forest, one realizes coming to an untouched and mysterious site. However, this village has always been famous for its black magic. The traditional importance of this place comes from the fact that it is considered the black magic capital of the country.
A visit to this village can provide an opportunity to see some of the rare ways that the modern world may find unnatural they are capable of surprising anyone.
2. Sualkuchi
Sualkuchi which is also known as Silk Village, is the largest village in Assam, which is a weaver’s paradise. Here the silk thread is processed, dyed and finely woven into the garments which are sold in many markets of the village as well as in Assam.
Home to the silk cottage industry, Sualkuchi is a hub of silk sarees, mekhela chadar and cane handicrafts. Don't stop from pampering yourself with an exquisite piece of silk from Sualkuchi. Muga is one the rarest silk in the world. The golden saga, is only produced in Assam. This is the most expensive silk and are available only in the upper segments of the market. It is made with organic and natural fibre.
3. Nagaon
A religious place without any radical element, here we can smell and experience the great cicerone of the Assamese society - Srimanta Sankardev and his great contributions. Do you know my friend, this is the very first Namghar ever built in Assam state? Yes!
In the very early of the 16th century (The year 1509), Sankardeva built it with his three companions. They were – Ramaram Guru (The childhood friend of Sankardeva), Jagatananda or Ramrai (younger brother) and Bongonyagiri. This is the pioneer of all other Namghar's, we have seen today in our societies. Borduwa Bornamghar is situated in Nagaon district, Ali Pukhuri, Borduwa.
If you visit Assam then you should visit this place, at least once a time. Believe me, it will bring a sweet smile on your face and your heart will be happier.
4. Tezpur
Tezpur is another important tourist spot in Assam because of its scenic natural beauty. The Brahmaputra River that flows through the city from Sadiya, adds to the beauty of this place. Tezpur is also the cultural center of Assam due to its theater, traditional dances and cultural events. The tea plantations around the city are also another attraction here.
5. Kaziranga National Park
If you are a nature enthusiasts and feel excited at the thought of travelling alone amidst dense jungles, then the Kaziranga National Park, known for its one-horned rhino, about 200 km from Guwahati, must be included in your itinerary. It is very appropriate to justify its name on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Want to visit one of the most popular wildlife attractions with the most intriguing creatures like a one horned Rhino then Kaziranga National Park is the exact location. It is home to the world's largest population of one horned Indian rhinoceros. The maximum number of one horned rhinos are found in Kaziranga National Park.
It is considered to be the safest heaven for the one horned rhinos as well as for the migratory birds at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
Apart from all human habitation, the natural life thrives so perfectly here.
Along with the giant rhinos, Kaziranga National Park is also home to bears, panthers, elephants and other beautiful feathered creatures.
6. Jorhat
Jorhat Gymkhana Club is the first one built in Asia and is also the third oldest in the world. You can reach Jorhat via bus from Guwahati. From here you can go to Dima Hasao hills.
7. Majuli
Situated in the heart of Assam is Majuli island. This island is situated amidst the river Brahmaputra. The largest river island in the world covers a surface area of 1250 sq. km. Majuli is known as Assam's cultural capital and is filled by people mainly engaged in fishing. Majuli relies heavily on waterways so don't forget to take a motorboat or ferry trip.
The sacred island is a medley of enthralling views of beautiful wooden boats, rustic countryside side, the lush green paddy fields, extended water body and vibrant culture. If you want to explore an island, Majuli is the place to visit as it offers some stunning scenes of water meadows and rice fields.
Majuli, located about 20 km from Jorhat, is an ecological access point and the largest river island in the world. Declared by UNESCO as a world natural heritage, this fluvial island has preserved the ancient weapons, utensils, jewelery and other elements of cultural importance. It is the world's largest river island situated on the banks of River Brahmaputra in Assam.
The island here gets submerged during rainy season due to abundant rainfall. Bird watching is a great practice here as it has over 100 species of bird. Also, enjoy the neo-Vaishnavite culture and tradition while you are here. Visit this place after monsoon and enjoy the hospitality of locals by living in the guest house or rooms. You can reach Majuli by taking a ferry ride from Jorhat.
8. Sivasagar
The very first capital of the Ahom kingdom. In 1228, the first Ahom king Chaolung Sukaphaa established the foundation of the great 600 years ruling at this place. This is an ideal place for those people or students, who want to know about the old Ahom kingdom, society, and culture. If you you are traveling to Assam and you have children then bring them to this place. It will help them to understand Assam history and to be respectful to it.
Get yourself a tuk tuk to cover your day's travel as you ride from the Shiva to the Vishnu to the Devi Dol, each temple more magnificent than the last. The Kareng Ghar, a palace constructed in the late seventeenth century, lies all but ruined in the heart of the village. Sprawling lawns lie on either side of the crumbling castle, trying to offset the tragic loss of what once was a spectacular monument. The air of grandeur still remains, though, and makes it the popular site that it is today.
Over 300 km from Guwahati, Sivasagar served as the capital of the Ahom Kingdom for almost a hundred years. The Talatal Ghar, the largest of all Tai Ahom monuments, continues to stand tall despite being about 300 years old. Visitors are allowed to explore all the way up to whatever remains of the second and third stories, but the floors that lie underground have been sealed due to previous travellers getting lost and never being found again… Gulp.
The enormous Sivasagar lake and Sivasagar tank (that's all lit up in the nights) are among the usual star attractions, and the Dikhow river flowing to the east facilitates a nice evening sit-down.
Charaideo: A 2 hour drive from the Dibrugarh Airport, Charaideo is like a condensed version of what we all imagine Assam to be. Blooming fields, village life in full display and a snaking highway. Its charm lies in its down to earth normality. However, the town's star attraction couldn't be less mundane.
Home to the late medieval Ahom kingdom that remained sovereign for over half a MILLENIUM, the burial spots of the dynasty's great kings (known as "maidams") are awesome and well worth the drive. The main reason, why Charaideo is famous today is its Maidams, which is called Charaideo Maidams. As you know this is none other but the graves of dead Ahom kings.
Rang Ghar: Rang Ghar is incredibly famous as the first pavilion of Asia. As it is mentioned in the name Rang Ghar, here Rang means Happiness and Ghar means House. In the year 1702, it was very first built by the Ahom king Swargadeo Rudra Singha but his construction was not a very high standard. Therefore later his son and the new king Swargadeo Pramatta Singha rebuilt it with stone and brick in between 1744-50.
The composition of Rang Ghar we have seen today was built during the age of Pramatta Singha. As you know, the actual purpose of Rang Ghar was entertainment. During the Ahom age, it was used to organize various entertaining programs on some special occasions, like Bhogali Bihu and Rongali Bihu days.
Activities like Bihu dance, human wrestling, buffalo fight, bulbul bird fight were very popular. However, today these activities are still organized in those occasions.
Talatal Ghar: Ahom kings were extremely conscious of their security matters. An insane example of it is the Talatal Ghar. After moving the kingdom capital from Gargaon Palace to Rangpur, they established it at Talatal Ghar. This is located in the western part of Sivasagar town. It was built by Rudra Singha in the year 1698. Do you know this is the most mysterious compositions of Ahom period, ever made?
Once there were two secret roadways in the very bottom of Talatal Ghar. Here one reached the Gargaon Palace, which is located 16 km away and the other reached to the Dikhow River, located 7 km away from it. However, at present-day both underground ways are closed due to heavy clay jam.
9. Golaghat
It is common in our country to have yagya and havan to make rain, but you will also be shocked to hear the wedding of frogs to please Indra Devta. The people of Assam organize frog marriages. In fact, the people of Assam believe that this type of marriage gets good rain. It is believed that unless the frog of your place says no to rain, it cannot rain till that time. So farmers pray to the god of rain, that is Indra. This is the reason why a frog is married in Assam so that it rains at the right time and all the crops grow properly.
10. Haflong
Assam's only hill station, Haflong is kind of a novelty act that you should really consider stopping by at. A solid 8 hours by bus from Guwahati, the long ride has a high pay off for anyone who wants a change of scene. There aren't too many options when it comes to accommodation! The Hangover Cafe and Emika's both serve light snacks and continental food and pop up regularly when asked about the best places to eat in the area.
A good 230 km from Guwahati, Panimur is a quiet village in the Dima Hasao district, famous for its gushing waterfalls and the clear blue Kopili river. The roads to the spot offer cute detours but are best avoided when there's too much rain. Plan a trip to Panimur in the summer months and you won't be disappointed.
Boat rides across the Kopili are a favourite activity, along with picnic lunches by the banks. The devout make the journey for the Haraulim Shibhraikho, a Shiva temple that exerts a magnetic pull for hundreds of kilometres.
11. Digboi
Digboi not only has a refinery, which is more than 100 years old, but also several tea gardens. The place with misty blue hills offers several attractions, including Digboi Oil Refinery, Ridge Point and Digboi Centenary Museum. From Ridge Point, you can have a breathtaking view of the snow-capped mountains of the eastern Himalayas.
The "Oil City of Assam" (which got its name from the phrase "dig boy, dig," much repeated by the British to the manual labourers searching the earth for crude oil) is less visited than it would seem. Its oil history aside, the war cemetery makes for an awe-inspiring (albeit grim) day out.
On the second Sunday of every November, a special program commemorating the British lives lost in the second world war takes place. The Pengeri Reserve Forest is another day trip waiting to happen, adding a splash of wildlife to Digboi's famous sights. The tea gardens in Margherita and the Digboi golf course round up our recommendations in the region.
11. Silchar
While Assam and tea estates are practically synonymous, Barak Valley houses some of the lesser known properties that are as gorgeous as they are tranquil. The Dolu and Langai Tea Estates are our top picks from the region, and the Dolu lake that's enclosed within the former makes the perfect end to an amble through the valley.
Home to a whopping 104 forest villages, about two thirds of the village is shrouded by forest cover. As a result, the Barail Wildlife Sanctuary has set up shop in the valley, nestled between the thirteen reserve forests that spread out across the perimeter.
Why not head on a staycation in Assam? Start your week in the open valleys and rolling hills, sipping fresh tea from plantations, and letting your mind rest as much as it can even if you have to return to the laptop!
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