Assam in North East India stands out from the modern cesspool in many, many pleasant ways. Be it the pure air of the place, the long lush harvest grounds, or the people that seem to belong to another era, everything contributes to creating an ambience that transports you into a sort of a fairy land is you are on vacation here. And nothing helps improve that even more than the occasional festivals that arrive at harvest seasons each year, and transform everything with colour and energy all around. While everyone knows about Bihu, there is more to Assam’s festival scene than that, chiefly the good food and the fairs that match any big shopping district in human feel. So here we have compiled a list of 7 best of the bests, to direct your tour the next time you’re here when its festival season!
Assam
Top 5 Places to Visit in Dibrugarh
Dibrugarh is one of the most important cities in Assam after Guwahati and Tezpur. The headquarters of Dibrugarh District, the city is also known as the “Tea city of India”. Known to be the industrial and commercial hub of Upper Assam, the city was proclaimed as the centre of administrative activity by the Britishers when they arrived here in the year 1826. The city derives its name from ‘Dibarumukh’ which was an encampment of the Ahom rulers during a war. Let us look at the top five places to visit in Dibrugarh-
Top 5 Places to Visit in Nagaon
Formerly known as Nowgon, the city of Nagaon is located in Assam about 120 kilometres from Guwahati. The Kolong river, a Brahmaputra river tributary flows through the city and divides it into two regions. The land here is marshy and has many swamps as wetlands form the majority of the area due to the Kolong and Kopili rivers. One of the most important cities of Assam, it has various places to visit from National Parks to historical monuments. Let us look at the top five places to visit in Nagaon-
Top 5 Places to Visit in Majuli
Majuli is known to be the cradle of Assam civilization. The largest river island in the world, Majuli is located near the mighty river Brahmaputra. It is a unique amalgamation of culture and heritage that might be at the brink of extinction due to global warming. The wonderful island is home to the ‘Satriya’ dance, the delightful drama style called ‘Bhaona’ and the temples associated with the Vaishnavite tradition within Hinduism. It is said that the father of Assam’s culture, Sankaradeva, established the first Satra here in Majuli. Let us look at the top five places to visit in Majuli–
Complete Guide to Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
Extending along the Great Himalayan foothills, lays the pride of Assam, the Sonai Rupai wildlife sanctuary. Out of the eighteen wildlife sanctuaries and six national parks in Assam, it has achieved crucial importance in the wildlife hub of this region. Not only rich in terms of flora and fauna but equally worth visiting to relish and rejuvenate in the lap of beautiful surroundings of Mother Nature. Considered as a jewel in the state of Assam, one can easily be spellbound by fragrance and blankets of greenery around, adding to the charm, fun, thrill and excitement of this once in a lifetime voyage.
Complete Guide to Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam
Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary was segmented from the Hoollongapar Reserved forest in Jorhat district of Assam. In the year 1997, it was declared a separate protected reserve, having its name derived from the dominant species of trees in that region called Hollong or Dipterocarpus macrocarpus. The reason behind the uniqueness of this wildlife sanctuary is that it is home to India’s only nocturnal primate, the Hoolock Gibbon. The Hoolock Gibbon can be found throughout the forest reserve in groups of two, one being male and the other female.
Top 5 National Parks In Assam
Lying in the north-eastern region of India, Assam is one of the lands comprising of the seven sisters. Blessed richly with diverse flora and fauna, Assam is one of the quaint realms of the nation. Geographically made up of The Eastern Hills of The Northern Himalayas, the Deccan Plateau and The Brahmaputra Plains, Assam has copious forests. With the tropical monsoon rainfall type of climate Assam is one of the greenest states of the country. Because of its profuse forests Assam witnesses ample of rare species that seek shelter in the greens of the nature. Assam has an enormous wildlife that draws a lot of wildlife lovers to this state. Yet on the unexplored side these five national parks of Assam are a must visit.
Nameri National Park, Assam
“Cradled in the lap of Himalayan woods, be a guest to serene-hood”
Lying in the lap of Eastern Himalayas, the Nameri National Park is located in the Sonitpur district of Assam, India. At the northern border, it adjoins the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary of Arunachal Pradesh, spanning across a combined area of 1000 sq. km. This huge land is abode to an enormous diversity of mammals, reptiles, birds, marine life and butterflies! The scenic beauty of this land is unmatched. As the Jia Bharoli river makes its way cradled amidst thick forests and Himalayan peaks, it is like a dynamic painting standing in front of you. This place has it all: adventure activities, bird watching, a walk through the woods and wildlife tours. You ought to be here to witness such awesomeness.
Orang National Park, Assam
“The land here tells a glorious tale of having survived the ravages of time”
Situated in the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam, the Orang National Park is spread across 78.81 sq km of land and has an interesting historical tale of how it was formed. What began as a land abandoned by the tribes due to the spread of an epidemic has now transformed into a place that even provides shelter to the rare one-horned rhinoceros and the critically endangered Pygmy Hog. The national park is surrounded by the Brahmaputra River on the north. Many (believed to be) man-made water bodies can be found inside the park which are thought of as remains of the old tribe that left ages ago. Nevertheless, the park now boasts of a beautiful landscape that attracts tourists from all over. Interestingly, the landscape of this Assamese national park is so similar to the Kaziranga National Park that Orang is often called ‘Mini Kaziranga’.
Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Assam
“The north-eastern skies above this island have witnessed some of the rarest of flights”
Dibru Saikhowa National Park is assimilated within an island bound by Brahmaputra and Lohit rivers along the periphery. It is situated 12 km from the town of Tinsukia in Assam, at an altitude of 118 metres above sea level. Spanning an area of 765 sq km, this sanctuary is one of the nineteen biodiversity hotspots in the world and is also a biosphere reserve. It is popular among bird watchers as it is an abode to and welcomes several extremely rare and endangered endemic and migratory birds. All through the woods, you can hear unusual yet beautiful echoes of these flying creatures, and if you’re lucky you might even spot some!