ASSAM THE LAND Of RED RIVER AND BLUE HILLS

Assam the land of hills and valleys,the land of the mighty river Brahmaputra,the land of mother goddess

Kamakhya ,lies in the northeast corner of India.The principal language of Assam is Assamese although a

Large number of other languages are also spoken. Assam comprises an area of 78,523 square kilometer
Assam is a land with illustrious history .Going back to the 4 th century BC .Assam was independent

Kingdom throughout all history till the end of first quarter of the nineteenth century when British
conquered the kingdom and annexed it to British India.The current capital of Assam, Guwahati was
previously known as Pragjyotishpur which means eastern light ,finds mention of its name in the great
Hindu epic Mahabhrata. When Narakasur became the king the name was changed to Kamrupa

Mother nature has showered blessings on this land with open hands and many call it a green
paradise. It is an exotic place with mesmerizing green plains, blue hills,tea gardens and oil fields.Besides
the natural beauty it also has a rich cultural heritage a history enriched by the courage and valour sons
of the soil.The colourful festivals of the different ethnic groups,rare flora and fauna,mouth watering
delicacies and wonderful climate make it a tourist destination

Here is a review of historical monuments, religious places, national parks, festivals,dances

and Paat ,Muga Eri Silk of Assam which make it so attractive----------

HISTORICAL MONUMENTS-. Some of the monuments present in various corners of this beautiful state
of northeast were once built by kings of Ahom dynasty and are still attracting the tourists from different
parts of the world. Some of these beautiful monuments are Rang ghar, Kareng ghar, Talatal ghar,
Sivsagar pond, Joysagar pond etc. Here are some glimpses of these beautiful monuments..................…

KARENG GHAR

-It is situated in Garhgaon of Sivsagar district of Assam. Kareng ghar was constructed by Ahom king
Pramatta Singha who also built Rang ghar, Rudreswar mandir, Sukleswar mandir etc. He used brick
aindigenous cement for constructing it.

RANG GHAR

Rang ghar is located at Rupahi pathar of Rongpur in Assam and was built by Ahom king swargadeo
Pramatta Singha . Pramatta Singha was the son of Rudra Singha. Rudra Singha initially built the Rang
ghar. Later on Pramatta Singha made it Pucca. It is a two storeyed building and was a royal sports
pavilion and Ahom kings enjoyed various sports from it.

TALATAL GHAR
Talatal Ghar is a notable example of finest architecture of Ahom dynasty. It was built by Ahom
swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. It is located in Sivsagar district of Assam. It is a seven storeyed building and
was initially built as an army base.Three storeys of this building are underground. One secret
underground tunnel connects it to Dikhow river and another connects it to Ghargaon palace or kareng
Ghar.

RELIGIOUS PLACES OF ASSAM -Assam from time immemorial was known as land
of spirituality and religion. The temples built time to time are the testimony of the
glorious past.
Maa Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati
Situated in the Nilachal Hills of Guwahati, Assam the Maa Kamakhya temple is
one of the oldest Shakti Peeths . As per fables, Sati’s ‘Yoni’ or Vagina and womb
fell in this particular area and both the parts represent the female power of
procreation. The temple was built between 8th-17th century, attract several
thousands of visitors yearly. Worshipping in this temple includes animal sacrifices.

The Navagraha temple, Guwahati contains nine phallic emblems of Lord Shiva
covered with different coloured clothes which are sacred to the nine planetary
Gods. A Shivaligam symbolizing the sun is present in the centre. Regular worship
is done here.
The Sukreswara temple - Situated on the banks of River Brahmaputra in
Guwahati, Assam. Built in 1744 AD, the temple has one of the largest Shiva linga
or phallic emblems of Shiva. Devotees from all over India visit the place
throughout the year especially during the festival of Shivratri.
Ugro Tara Temple - situated in the western side of Jorpukhury tanks Guwahati,
the temple was built around 1725 AD. Devi Tara is considered as a reincarnation
of Goddess Parvati. It is believed that Sati’s navel fell here, thus making it an
important Shakti Peeth .
Umananda Temple In Peacock Island
Located at Peacock Island, Assam, in the middle of Brahmaputra River was built
around 1681-1696. Worshipping on Umananda Temple in lunar phase of the new
moon (Amavasya) on Monday is considered to be auspicious. Shiva Chaturdashi is
the annual festival celebrated here.
Hayagriva Madhava Temple, Hajo:
Situated in a hill called Monikut hill in Hajo, was constructed in the 16th century.
It’s a stone temple and shows the man lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This
temple preaches both Hinduism and Buddhism and thus attracts many Buddhist
monks from various places.
Powa Mecca,Hajo
Located near the Madhava temple Hajo, constructed by Mir Lutufullah-i-Shiraji in
1657. It is also believed that the foundation of the Mosque here was laid with the
soil that was brought from Mecca.
Da Parbatia Temple, Tezpur
Located at Tezpur, Assam, constructed in 5th-6th centuries AD.3. It is an
iconoclastic representation of art and one of the oldest too in Assam. The temple
is dedicated to the goddesses Yamuna and Ganga.
Maha Bhairav Temple,Tezpur
It is located in Tezpur, Assam and has one of the largest stone-phallus or Shiva
lingam in the world. Believed to be built by prehistoric king Bana, between 8th-
10th centuries AD. Thousands of people visit the temple during the auspicious
time of Shivaratri.
Sivadol,Sivasagar
Located on the banks of Sivasagar (the ocean of God Shiva) tank in the middle of
historic Sivasagar town in upper Assam, Sivadol (the temple of Lord Shiva) is a
group of temples comprising three of Sivadol,Vishnudol (temple of Lord Vishnu)
and Devidol (temple of Goddess Durga).The big tank was constructed from 1731
to 1738. The height of Sivadol is 104 feet and the perimeter is 195 feet at the
base. It is crowned with an 8-ft high golden-dome.
Satras of Assam-The Satras are institutional centers associated with the
Vaishnavite movement founded by Srimanta Sankardeb who established the first
Satra in Majuli in the 15th century by planting a Belva tree( hence the place came
to be known as Belguri) . A satra is a four walled structure with four gates (or
Karapat) and consists of a centrally placed prayer hall (Namghar or Kirtan ghar)
and a Monikut (literally jewel house) or the sanctum sanctorum which houses the
Asana containing the Bhagavat Purana. The namghar is surrounded by four raws
of huts called Hati.
Some of eminent satras of Assam are- Auniati satra, Dakhinpat satra,
Garamur satra, Kamalabari satra, Bengenaati satra, Shamaguri satra etc.

National Parks Of Assam

A hotspot for biodiversity, it is only natural that some of India's most important national parks
are in Assam. Two-thirds of the world's population of one-horned rhinoceros are found at the
famous Kaziranga National Park while Manas National Park is a tiger and elephant reserve, both
landing on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. The National Parks of Assam like Dibru
Kaziranga National Park

Home to two-thirds of the world's one horned rhinoceros population, this national park has been
declared as a World Heritage Site.

Made unique with a vibrant, well preserved and sustained ecology this park has a very versatile bio
diversity which makes Kaziranga National Park a very important and popular tourist destination. Other
than the one horned Rhino which almost defines the area, the park also offers pleasant surprises to
tourists as they spot Swamp deer, elephants, wild buffalos, Chinese pangolins, Bengal foxes, gibbons,
civets, sloth bears, leopards and flying squirrels are a few animals that can be spotted here. The park is
also home to the Indian tiger and it is a tiger reserve. 

Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger Reserve, an
Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve in Assam. The only tiger reserve in Assam and also
famous for the rare golden langur and the red panda, Manas is one of the best-kept national parks
in India. It's home to India's second-largest tiger population. It is also famous for its population
of the Wild water buffalo. Manas harbours the maximum number of endangered species from
India as listed in the IUCN Red Book.One can easily spot rhinos and tigers while sitting on an
elephant. Forest officials arrange rides on elephants from Mathanguri for visitors to
Manas. Dibru Saikhowa

Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a river island national park and one of the 19
biodiversity hotspots in the world. This National Park is situated 12 km north
of Tinsukia in Assam. Of the seven parts of the park, one is a wetland and the
rest is mainly covered with grasslands and dense forest. Animal life to be
viewed in their natural habitat includes royal Bengal tiger, hoolock gibbons
and leopards, it is also home to some restricted-range species, such as the
White-winged Wood Duck, Bengal Florican, Lesser Adjutant Stork, spotted-billed
Pelican, White-bellied Heron, Pallas's Fish Eagle, Swamp Partridge, Jerdon's
Babbler, Black-breasted Parrotbill and Striated Grassbird. Marsh Babbler,
Swamp Prinia and yellow weaver.
FESTIVALS OF ASSAM
Bihu is a seasonal festival of Assam & the assamese people which is a part of their soul. The
word “Bihu” derives its origin from Vedic/Sanskrit word “bishubat” or “bishubon”- as the
intellectuals believe. It Is celebrated three times. It starts with time corresponding to the sowing
of crops in the first month of assamese calendar (called Bohag Bihu). It starts when duration of
day & night is equal in the mid of April- Bohag Bihu, also called Rangali Bihu. Likewise, in
autumn when the field & crops are fully blooming –prayers are offered and wellbeing of the
crops are prayed for to the almighty,marking the celebration of “ Kati Bihu” or also called as
“Kangali Bihu” .Then, corresponding with Makar Sankranti – Indian festival when the crops are
ripe and ready to be cut in mid January is celebrated “Magh Bihu” or “Bhogali bihu” Since the
bihu festivities are primarily associated with people who are farmers and earn their livelihood by
engaging themselves in agricultural works – so Bihu is considered as a festival of farmers
because this is concerned with pre & post harvesting as well as the harvesting season. Associated
with the Bihu festivities are the rich culture &different beliefs along with song, dance & use of
traditional instruments(dhol,pepa).

Dances Of Assam.

The best manifestation of the rich culture and tradition of a particular place is through dance. Assam is
home to many indigenous tribes and races, each of which has its own fairs and festivals. This has led to
the emergence and propagation of numerous dance forms throughout the region. The different dance
forms in the state can be categorized into two broad headings – classical dances and folk dances.

Classical Dances.

Sattriya Nritya – Sattriya is a renowned classical dance originating in the monasteries of Assam and was
introduced by the 15th century Vaishnavite scholar Srimanta Sankardev to propagate the religion of
Vaishnavism. Traditionally, it was performed only by Bhakats (male monks) in monasteries as a part of
their daily rituals or to mark special festivals. Today, in addition to this practice, Sattriya is also
performed on stage by men and women who are not members of the Sattras or with themes which are
not merely mythological. The plays choreographed in Sattriya are found in Hindu texts such as the
Bhagavat Purana, the Epics and the compositions by Assamese scholars. The themes played relate to
Krishna and sometimes other avatars of Vishnu such as Rama. Sattriya dance is accompanied by musical
compositions called Borgeets (composed by Sankardev and his disciple Shree Shree Madhavdev) which
are based on classical ragas. Recognized in 2000 as a classical dance by Sangeet Natak Academy of India,
modern Sattriya explores many themes and plays, and its performances are staged world-wide.

Bhaona – It is a theatrical depiction of the one-act play Ankia Nat, initiated by Sankardev to promote the
Vaishnavite culture in Assam. It is basically performed in the village Namghars and Satras. An integral
part of this dance is the Sutradhar, who recites the slokas, sings, dances and explains the various stages
of Bhaona in detail.

Bhortal Nritya – This form of dance was originally developed by the well known Sattriya artist, Narahari
Burha Bhakat. During the festivals in the Barpeta and Guwahati regions, this dance is performed by a
group of 6-10 dancers equipped with cymbals (Bhortal). It is performed to a very fast beat. The use of
the cymbals makes the dance presentation appear vibrant. The dance movements are designed such
that they can produce some very colorful patterns.

Oja Pali – It is a dance performed by a group of chorus singers and dancers, with Oja as the leader and
Palis as his assistants. A total of three or four Palis may be required for the dance. Apart from dancing,
they also sing and play small cymbals, relating stories from the Epics and the Puranas.

Folk Dances.

Bihu Dance – It is the most popular folk dance of Assam and as its name suggests, it is related to the
Bihu festival which is celebrated with much pomp and glory within the state. The festival is mainly a
celebration of the different phases of cultivation and is observed by all the Assamese, irrespective of
their caste and creed. Bihu dance is performed to traditional Bihu music with the songs accompanying
the bihu dance being handed down through the generations.

Oja Pali – It is a dance performed by a group of chorus singers and dancers, with Oja as the leader and
Palis as his assistants. A total of three or four Palis may be required for the dance. Apart from dancing,
they also sing and play small cymbals, relating stories from the Epics and the Puranas.

Bagurumba – This is a folk dance performed by the Bodo community of Assam. A number of Bodo girls
dressed in colorful apparels of dokhna and aronai, dance to the tune of the tribe’s traditional musical
instruments, with slow steps and outstretched hands.

Jumur Nach – This is a folk dance performed by the tea community of the state. Girls hold each other’s
waist and sway to the tunes of the Jumur dance, moving the legs forward and backward synchronously.

Besides these, the other ethnic tribes of Assam like the Rabhas, the Karbis, the Kacharis, the Misings and
the Tiwas have their own unique dance which together make up the rich and diverse culture of the state
of Assam.

Assam Silk
The traditional attire of Assamese women, Mekhela Chadar woven with silk is
indigenous to Brahmaputra Valley in Assam. Assam was well known for the
production of high quality silk since ancient times. Kautilya's Arthashastra, a
political literature of the 3rd century BC, makes references to the highly
sophisticated silk clothing from Assam. There are also references of Assam silk in
the records written by Huen Sang. Assam silk denotes the three major types of
indigenous wild silks produced in Assam—golden muga, white pat and
warm eri silk. The silk produced is known for its glossy, fine texture and durability.
Very often the silk outlives its owner. They can easily be hand washed and are
known to gain luster with every subsequent wash. And can be dried in shadow.
Although silk is cultivated and woven by women all around Assam, the main hub
of these Mekhela Chadors is a tiny town called Sualkuchi, situated at just 35
kilometers from the city of Guwahati. Sualkuchi is also known as the Manchester
of Assam.

Pat silk or Mulberry silk of Assam is a variety of domestic silk in Assam. Pat silk is
produced by Bombyx textor silkworms which feed on mulberry (Morus spp.)
leaves.

Muga silk is the product of the silkworm Antheraea assamensis endemic to

Assam. Muga, "the golden fibre" is produced only in Assam 

Eri silk is made by Samia cynthia ricini which feed on leaves of castor oil

plant (Ricinus communis). It is also known as endi or errandi silk. Because
manufacturing process of eri allows the pupae to develop into adults and only the
open ended cocoons are used for turning into silk, it is also popularly known as
non-violent silk. This silk is soft and warm and is popular as shawls and quilts
ded down through the generations. The most important musicians a