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Assam is the gateway to the North-East and is dominated by the mighty river
Brahmaputra that has its origin in Tibet. Indeed, a large part of the state is
located in the narrow valley that the river has created over the ages. The
state's population includes a startling mix of Dravidians and Aryans and
Tibeto-Burmans. Assam is perhaps best known for two things: tea and the
one-horned Rhinoceros, which is found in large numbers at Kaziranga National
Park.
Dispur
The capital of Assam, is
Dispur, a suburb of Guwahati in 1972. The uneven
topography of the land, full of hills, plains and rivers might, therefore, have
contributed to her name. The Mongolian Ahom dynasty which had ruled Assam for
more than six hundred years might also be the cause for her name.
Guwahati
:
Next to the mighty
Brahmaputra River, is also Assam's Capital. Host to the world's largest Tea
Auctions and full of ancient Hindu Temples. It is divided into two towns housed
on either sides of the river - Guwahati and North Guwahati. Guwahati is also
Assam's biggest city. We can find the mention about Guwahati in the epic of
Mahabharata, known by the name of Pragjyotishpura, meaning the eastern City of
Light.
Majuli
The largest river island in the world is in Assam.
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Jatinga
Where birds come in hundreds and die also in Assam.
Assamese is the most widely spoken language of Assam and is spoken by more than one crore
people. The origin of the Assamese language dates back to antiquity. Scholars
are of the view that the language originated from the eastern variety of
Magadhan Prakrit. It is by all standards a composite language into which words
of Indo-Aryan, Indo-Chinese as well as Tibeto-Burman origins have made their
way.
Assam was once upon a time the original home of Tantricism in India. The Shakti temples like
Kamakhya in Guwahati and Kechaikhati near Sadiya are proof to this. While
veneration to Shiva largely prevailed in the early period, the other goddess
cult gained ground subsequently. In fact, at one time, Assam came to be
identified with Tantrik Shaktism, especially centering around the Kamakhya
temple. Even today, Shiva and the Mother Goddess are venerated in various forms
at the folk level in large sections of the Assamese society, both tribal and
non-tribal.
Jorhat :
A night stop for travelers to
Majuli.
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Tezpur :
Center for Tea Industry with still having a touch of
Colonialism.
Also in Tezpur we have
Cole Park, which has 9th century
sculptures and the excavated remains of a palace.
There is also a Agnigarh Hill
which provides a marvelous
view of the river at sunset.
Sibsagar :
Important center for the tea and oil Industries and 55 kms from
Johrat. It was also the summer capital of Assam for 600 years before the arrival
of British in India.
An artificial lake built by some Queen in 1734 is in the center
of the town with a Shiva temple next to it. This temple is 33m tall and one of
the tallest in the country.
Silchar :
Famous as a Transport Base into this side of the
country.
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