Assam is the largest and most accessible of the north-east States. The word Assam is derived from the Sanskrit word 'asoma' meaning peerless. The land of Assam is, in fact peerless, judging by its sheer natural beauty and cultural richness. Home to diverse races, Austric, Mongoloid, Aryan and Dravidian, who settled in these hills at different points of time, Assam has developed its own peculiar composite culture, one of variegated colour. It is a vibrant land of contrasts, each nook and corner of which, has something special and rare to offer. Assam is bordered in the north and east by Bhutan and the State of Arunachal Pradesh. To its south lie the States of Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Assam's early history includes some semi mythical Hindu rulers such as Narakasura, mentioned in the Mahabharata, who ruled from Pragjyotishpura (modern day Guwahati). The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang visited the area in 640 BC. During the 13th century, the Ahoms, a Shan tribe from Myanmar (Burma) conquered Assam, adopted Hinduism and established a dynasty which lasted till 1826 when it was annexed by the British. This allowed Assam's Hindu culture to blossom in relative peace.

The British developed the initial tea industry and now Assam grows 60% of India's Tea and produces a large proportion of India's Oil.

How to Reach -

Guwahati in Assam is the principal airport of the Northeastern region of India. It is well connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Bagdogra and Patna. Assam is also well connected by train to all the major cities. A network of National Highways and other roads connect all the important cities of Assam.

Guwahati
Kaziranga National Park
Nameri Wildlife Sanctuary
Orang Wildlife Sanctuary

GUWAHATI

Guwahati is Assam's biggest city located besides the impressively wide Brahmaputra River. Once known as Pragjyotishpura (the Eastern City of Light) and mentioned in the Mahabharata, Guwahati has long been the region's most important city. The name is a combination of two words: Guwa meaning areca nut and Haat meaning market. It is now the service centre for the oil industry and tea plantations; the world's largest tea auctions are held here. Its main importance is as the gateway to the North Eastern region of India.

The city is split into two towns lying on either side of the Brahmaputra River, with most places of interest and offices in the southern section, simply known as Guwahati. The northern section is North Guwahati. The busiest shopping areas are the Pan Bazaar and the Fancy Bazaar.

Places to See -

Kamakhya Temple - is by far the greatest attraction of Guwahati. Lord Shiva's consort Shakti is worshipped here as Goddess Kamakhya. Located on the Nilachal hill, the temple is a centre for Shakti worship and Tantric Hinduism because its believed that when Shiva was carrying the corpse of his first wife, Shakti, her body disintegrated and her yoni (vagina) fell here. It was probably an ancient Khasi sacrificial site and daily goat sacrifices are still very much part of worship here. It attracts pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambuchi festival, a celebration of the end of the earth's menstrual cycle, which usually falls around June or July.

Umananda Temple - is a Shiva Temple located on the Peacock Island in the middle of the Brahmaputra River. Ferries ply from the Umananda Ghat from 7 am to 5 p.m.

Navagraha Temple - located on Chitrachal hill is the Temple of the Nine Planets. It has long been known as a centre of astrology and astronomy. The nine planets are represented as nine lingas inside the main temple.

Assam State Museum - is an archaeological, ethnographic and natural history museum, which is well worth a visit. Particularly interesting are the dioramas of Assamese tribal villages. There are also good displays of weaving, musical instruments and an impressive sculpture gallery.

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KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

Located north east of Guwahati on the swampy banks of the Brahmaputra River is the Kaziranga National Park, famous as the last major home of Rhinoceros unicornis (the one-horned Rhino). The Park is spread out in an area of 430 sq. km. Tigers, which are natural enemies of Rhinos, are also found there in sizable numbers.

Other attractions of the Park include - gaur (Indian bison), deer, elephant, bear, wild buffalo, wild boar, Hoolok gibbon, capped langur and ratel (badger). A wide variety of snakes including the rock python and the monitor lizard are also found here. A wide variety of water bird species also breed here. Amongst the birds, the crested serpent eagle, fishing eagle, storks, cranes, bar-headed goose, whistling teals, pelicans and so on.

The Park is open from November to April and the best time to see the bird life is December/January.

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NAMERI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The Nameri Wildlife Sanctuary straddles the border between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Located 181kms from Guwahati, it protects 137 sq. km of forest and wetlands along the Jia Bharali River. The park is home to the Mithun or Indian bison and the rare White Winged Wood Duck, among the most endangered avian species in the world. Other attractions are sambar, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, pangolin, Indian wild dog, and various birds like hornbills.

As in Kaziranga the best season to visit is November to March.

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ORANG WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

This sanctuary sprawled over an area of 72 sq. km is actually a miniature Kaziranga. It is situated in the North bank of river Brahmaputra and is 150km from Guwahati. Sixty percent of the sanctuary is grassland. Apart from the famed one-horned Rhino the fauna to be seen here are - elephants, leopard, sambar, barking deer, tiger, pangolin, otters, etc and a variety of water birds, cormorant, green pigeon, florican, teal, king fishers, geese and so on

The best season to visit is November to March.

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