Assam
i. The Assam also known as Gateway of North-East.
ii. Ancient name of Assam was Pragjyotishpura.
iii. The people of Assam is basically known as "Assamese".
iv. Main language of Assam is Assamese language.
v. State capital of Assam is Dispur.
vi. Total geographical area is 78,438 sq. km, Forest area- 27673 sq.km.
vii. Total population of Assam is 31,205,576 (as per Census 2011).
viii. Literacy rate: 85.90
ix.. Total District is 35.
x. Total Town is 214 and total village is 26395.
xi. State symbol also State Animal: One- horned Rhino.
xii. State Anthem : "O Mur Apunar Dekh" written by Rasaraj Lakshminath Bezbarua.
xiii. State Bird: The White-Winged Wood Duck (Deo Hanh).
xiv. State Tree: The Hollong.
xv. State Flower: The Fox-Tail Orchid (Kopou Phool).
xvi. Major Minerals: Petroleum, Coal, Limestone etc.
National Park in Assam:-
🌳Kaziranga National Park (Area 858.98 sq. km)
TThe Kaziranga National Park was declared as National Park status in 11 February, 1974. Kaziranga National Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1985. Kaziranga National Park famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger. It located in Golaghat, Nagaon and Sonitpur districts of Assam.
🌳Manas National Park (950 sq. km.)
It was declared as a National Park in 1990 . Manas National Park famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger. It located in the Himalayan foothill bhabar area in the western Assam.
🌳Dibru-Saikhowa National Park (340 sq. km.)
It was declared as a National Park in 1999 . Dibru-Saikhowa National Park famous for its Ferel horses, Dolphin and Royal Bengal Tiger. It located in the Tinsukia district of Assam
It was declared as a National Park in 8th September, 1985 . Nameri National Park famous for its Clouded Leopard and Royal Bengal Tiger. It located in the Sonitpur district of Assam.
🌳Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONPTR) (78.80 sq. km.)
It was declared as a National Park in 13th September, 1999. Orang National Park famous for its one-horned Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger. It located in the Darrang and Sonitpur district of Assam.
🌳Raimona National Park (422 sq. km.)
It was declared as a National Park in 05th June, 2021. Raimona National Park famous for its Golden Langur and Royal Bengal Tiger. It located in the Kokrajhar and Chirang district of Assam.
🌳Dehing-Patkai National Park (111.19 sq. km.)
It was declared as a National Park in 09th June, 2021. Dehing-Patkail National Park famous for its Chinese pangolin, Flying fox, Hoolock gibbon, Himalayan black bear, , Clouded leopard, Leopard, Tiger, White Winged Wood duck, Grey Peacock-Pheasant. Dehing-Patkai also declared as Rain-Forest, because the climate of Dehing-Patkai can be termed as "Tropical Monsoon Rainforest climate with heavy monsoon downpour. The forest interiors are humid; the temperature variation might be as 10 degree Celsius in the winter nights. It located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia district of Assam.
Heritage Sites in Assam:-
Sri Sri Barpeta Satra
Sri Sri Madhab Deva founded the Barpeta Satra more than 500 years back and stayed here for 8 long years. He left the Satra with giving the responsibility to his disciple Sri Mathura Das Burha Ata. who later take care of Satra and he was became the 1st Satria of Barpeta Satra.
"Jatinga" the mysterious valley
he Jatinga Valley is a quaint village in the Dimasa Hasao district. It is famous for The Bird Mystery and known as birds suicide point. Here the Birds come from different places to commit suicide. At the end of the monsoon months especially on moonless and foggy dark nights between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m usually in the months of September and October, birds are not disturbed by the locals but out of the dark northern skies will start to descend as they are attracted to lights. It has been theorized that due to the peculiar topography of Jatinga, these birds are actually attracted by the lights emanating from the houses at night and fly down to the proximity of these lights.
"Nambor" the Hot Spring
The Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar
The Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar founded by Mahapurush Madhabdev in1461. It is located Dhekiakhowa village of Jorhat District, 3.5 km away from NH 37. This namghar has been continuing as an important centre for Vaishnavite faith. In Dhekiakhowa namghar their has been preserved a 100 years old Dhekia Flower which is a rare phenomenon. And since 1528 Mahapurush Madhavdeva kindled an earthen lamp there, which has been burning continuously since then, being refueled with mustard oil by the priests.
Kamrup Metro and Rural districts of Assam has few pre-historical /historical monuments/places. They are- Kamakhya Dham, Haigrib-Madhava Mandir, Umananda Mandir, Naba-Graha Mandir, Dirgheswari Mandir, Sri Aswaklanta Temple, Madan-Kamdeva, Basistha Ashram etc.
Aswaklanta Temple
The Aswaklanta Temple was constructed by king Siva Singha in 1720 A.D. situated on the bank of the river Brahmaputra. According to Hindu mythology that, Lord Krishna, while coming to kill Narakasura, his horse got tired in this place. and he stopped in this spot to give them rest. Aswa means Horse and Klanta means tried, then this place has been known as Aswaklanta. This temple situated at Amingaon, Kamrup (M) district, Assam.
Basistha Ashram
The Bashistha Ashram, situated in the Sandhychal hills, Belt0la, Bashistha, Guwahati, is an important pilgrimage centre. Constructed in the second half of the 18th century, the temple was built by the Ahom king, Rajeswar Singha. This ashram is the last existing monument, which was constructed by the rulers of the Ahom dynasty. The ashram is the meeting point of three rivulets namely, Sandhya, Kanta and Lalita.
According to a popular belief, it is said that a dip in the water enhances a person’s life and also washes off the sins committed. In addition, there are several legends associated with sage Vashistha and this ashram. According to one of the popular legends, it was said that the hermit Bashistha used to perform his ‘sandhya’ in a stream near his ashram, which was also his home. The sage became agitated due to the ardent games played by Lord Indra with his queen Shachi and other heavenly women in the stream, as the water became impure. As a result of this, the sage cursed Indra that he would have sexual contact with a demon woman. This curse transformed Indra into a normal person and the curse of Bashistha also came true.
Dirgheswari Temple
The Dirgheswari Temple is situated on the North Guwahati. Dirgheswari brick temple was Built by Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha. Dirgheswari temple is considered as a Shakti Peeth for Shakti Worship. Inside the Dirgheswari temple, there has a Foot Print of Goddess Durga in a rock piece.
Hayagriva-Madhava Temple
The Hayagriva Madhava Mandir is situated on the Monikut hill near Hajo of Kamrup district .It is known that the temple was constructed by the King Raghu deva Narayan in 1583. There are Around 100 steps lead to the entrance.
Hayagriva Madhava Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Hayagriva (Vishnu with a horse head) is one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. According to Hindy mythology that, two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, took away the Vedas from Lord Brahma, while he was on the lotus. Upset and offended by this, Brahma awoke Lord Vishnu, while he was sleeping and requested for the recovery of the Vedas. It was then that the Lord assumed the form of Hayagriva, went to Rasatala (where the demons had kept the Vedas), recovered them and gave them back to Brahma.
After recovering the Vedas, Lord Vishnu went to the north-east corner of the great sea and slept in His Hayagriva form. While he was sleeping, the demons came back and challenged the Lord to a fight. A big war commenced and the demons were finally killed by the Lord.
Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Temple, located at Guwahati, is one of the biggest Shakti shrines in the country. Situated on the Nilachal hills, this temple is an important pilgrimage centre for tantric worshippers and Hindus. The former temple was destroyed by Kala Pahar, which was later reconstructed in 1565 by Chilarai, the General of the Koch dynasty. Ambubachi Mela is one of the major festivals of this temple. The festival is held every year to commemorate the yearly menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. It is also said that during the month of mid-June, there is a natural spring which flows through the yoni.
According to the Hindu mythology, the demon king Narakasura of Pragjyotishpur constructed a stone path (known as Mekhela Ujowa Path) connecting the temple from foothills with the intent to marry Kamakhya Devi, though he failed.
The Umananda Temple
On the instructions from Ahom King Gadadhar Singha, the temple was constructed in 1694 AD by Borphukan Gargaiya Handique. The area where this temple has been raised is known as Bhasmachala. According to a legend, once Lord Shiva was meditating on this hillock, when he was interrupted by Kamadeva. As a result of this interruption, Kamadeva was burnt to ashes by the fire of his anger.
According to the Kalika Purana, it was believed that Goddess Urvashi who brought nectar for the pleasure of Kamakhya, resided here. Therefore, the island on which this temple is constructed is also known as Urvashi Island.
The Umananda Island is home to the species of the endangered golden langur.
Powa Mecca
Approximately one kilometer to the east of Hayagriva Madhava, on the Garurachala hill, is the Islamic sacred site of Powa Mecca, famous as the tomb of Pir Giasuddin Auliya. Born in Tabriz, Iran in 1193 with the name of Shaikh Jalaluddin, Giasuddin Aulia, was a pir, or religious teacher, who lived in Hajo for twenty years. It is believed that Pir Giasuddin Aulia was responsible for bringing a portion of soil, a poa, from the Holy city of Mecca and establishing a mosque on the Garurachal hill. From this one fourth of Mecca the name Poa Mecca evolved and it is believed that a visit to Powa Mecca in Hajo confers one-fourth of the merits that can be obtained from a pilgrimage to Mecca itself.
Majuli district of Assam is the world's largest river island. This river island is situated on the Brahmaputra River. Majuli can also be called the 'Cultural capital of Assam'. Majuli has long been the center of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture, which started in the 15th century under the guidance of the Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Apart from Satras or Vaishnavite monasteries, Majuli is famous for mask-making and has a tradition of pottery making. The island has through ages have good learning centre for neo-Vaishnavite philosophy as well as dance, music, painting, sculpture and dramatics. Around sixty-five Sattras were the originals of the Majuli Island and out of them, at present thirty-five Sattras are present. Major Satras are:- Kamalabari Satra, Sri Auniati Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Garamur Satra, and Samaguri Satra, Bengena Ati Satra. Four major royal satras build by the Ahom kings are- Garamur Satra build by Ahom King Jayadhaj Singha , Auniati Satra build by Ahom King Jayadhaj Singha , Dakhinpat Satra build by Ahom King Jayadhaj Singha , Begena Ati Satra build by Ahom King Lakhmikanta Singha . The heritage of Neo-Vaishnavism in Majuli. Raas Utsav (Majuli Raas festival) or the Raas Lila is the annual cultural festival celebrated in the famous river island of Majuli in Assam. This festival is celebrated every year on the full moon day in the month of November.
Batadrawa Than
The Batadrawa Than, situated at Nagaon district, also known as Bordowa Than, the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva, the great Vaisnavite saint of Assam. The Batadrawa Than founded by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva in 1494 A.D. The Than holds immense importance for Vaishnav followers of Assam. Mahapurush Sankardeva founded the first ever Kirtan Ghar at Bordowa to practice and preach neo Vaishnavite faith during 15th century in Assam. People believe Bordowa Than as the “Dwitiya Vaikuntha”, the second heaven on earth. A huge pond “Akashiganga” and another pond “Santijan” too are the places of attraction of the devotees.
Billeswar Temple
The Billeswar Temple, situated at Nalbari has been built about 500 years ago, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. As the legend goes, a priest once had a cow which refused to be milked. Upon following the cow, the priest found that the cow gave milk on a bush of “virina” (type of grass). When the king came to know about it he got the place dug and found a Shiva Linga on that spot. A temple was built which was first called Birreswar or God or Virina, then Billeswar and now Belsor. It is situated about ten k.m. south-west from Nalbari Town.
Sivasagar -The Royal Capital
The Sivasagar district of Assam located at Latitude-26° 58' 48.0000'' N, Longitude-94° 37' 47.9892'' E. It was the Capital of great Ahom Kingdom as known as "Rangpur". The Ahom dynasty ruled the Ahom Kingdom in present-day Assam for 600 years. The great Ahom dynasty dug more than 300 big and small ponds in the undivided Sivasagar district of Assam. Four main historical ponds are :-The Sivasagar Tank also known as Borpukhuri (tank built area 133 acres) at heart of the Sivasagar town, The Joysagar Tank (tank built area 318 acres) at Joysagar, The Gaurisagar Tank (tank built area 132 acres) and The Rudrasagar Tank (tank built area 120 acres). Other few Historical monument of Sivasagar districts are- The Talatal Ghar, The Kareng Ghar (both are royal Palaces of Ahom King and both are inter connected by a underground tunnel), The Rang Ghar (built for enjoyment of recreational/sports activities by the royal family of Ahom dynasty), The Siva Dol, The Joy Dol and Charaideo Maidams (presently in Charaideo District) and many more .
The Shiva Dol located next to the Sivasagar tank, in heart of the Sivasagar Town. The Shiva Dol was built in 1734 by Ambika Kunwari, queen of Ahom king Swargadeo Siva Singha. It is believed to be the highest shiva temple in India with an height of 104 feet and a perimeter of 195 feet with an eight foot high golden koloshi (dome) at the top. Daily worship of God Shiva is still being offered in this temple. In site of the Shiva Temple there are another two temple constructed by Queen Ambika alias Madambika in same year i.e. Vishnu Doul and Devi Doul. One of the major festival of India; i.e. International Shiva Festival (Shiva Ratri) is Organized every year during the month of February/March.
The Rangganath Temple is located at Joysagar, District of Sivasagar. It is also known as Phakuwa Dol or Kashi-Viswanath Shiva Mandir. The temple was constructed by Swargadeo Rudra Singha in the year 1703 A.D near the Borduar. Here always do worshiped to Lord Kashi-Viswanath Mahamrtytunjaya Mahadev and Maa Sheetala Devi (who give long life and cured diseases). Mahamrityunjaya Siva Yagna
Tezpur-The City of Eternal Love
The Tezpur the City of Eternal Love is the district Head quarter of Sonitpur District of Assam located at Latitude: 26.63°N, Longitude: 92.8°E. The name Sonitpur or Tezpur literally means "the city of blood". It reminds of the romantic legend of Usha and Anirudha and Hari-Har Battle. The Legend is - Banasura was a powerful demon king who ruled the Sonitpur of Asaam . He was the great-grandson of the fervent devotee of Vishnu, Prahlada, and the son of the legendary asura Bali. Banasura had a beautiful daughter named Usha. Concerned about her charming appearance, he kept his daughter in a fortress in Agnigarh that was surrounded by fire at all times so that no one could enter or leave the perimeter without permission. She fell in love with Aniruddha in her dreams, not knowing who he really was. His companion Chitralekha, who was an excellent painter, identified him by painting his portrait from Usha's description. Chitralekha at the will of her friend Usha flew one night and brought Aniruddha to Usha's place while she was still sleeping, using her powers.
When Aniruddha opened his eyes and saw Usha, he fell in love with her immediately. However, Banasura was furious to discover Aniruddha in the fort. He tied him up with snakes and imprisoned him. Lord Krishna agreed to their marriage and wanted Banasura to accept the same. But Banasura furiously denied the proposal. Banasura was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, and as a blessing he had asked him to help him when he needed it. Lord Shiva granted it. He, therefore, was not afraid of anyone.
Lord Krishna along with another Yadavas came for the rescue of Aniruddha. A war broke out between the Asuras and the Yadavas. Banasura's army was unable to resist the Yadavas' war and power tactics and eventually had to take refuge under Lord Shiva. Then a war ensued between the Haris (Lord Krishna and his followers) and the Haras (Lord Shiva and his followers) due to the blessing. Rivers of blood flowed and the city was named Tezpur (City of Blood in Assamese).
Finally, there was a final battle between Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva, where Lord Krishna invoked his Sudarsana Chakra and Lord Shiva invoked his Trishula. To avoid the collision of the two destructive weapons, Lord Brahma appeared and intervened, asking them to stop the war.
A discussion ensued in which the two Lords made Banasura realize his wrong act that he could not recognize before the war due to his arrogance. Finally, Usha and Aniruddha were united. And justice was established.
Few pre-historical /historical monuments of Sonitpur are- Agnigarh, Mahabhirava Temple, Chitralekha Park, Padum Pukhuri, Bamuni Hills, Da Parbatia etc.
Festivals of Assam
Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. The people of Assam enjoy each and every festival to the fullest, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.
Bihu is the chief festival of Assam. It is largely based on agriculture. The people of assam celebrate three Bihus in year the Assamese calendar year, namely- i) The Bohag Bihu or Ranglai Bihu, ii) The Kati Bihu or Kangali Bihu and iii) Magha Bihu or Bhogali Bihu.
In addition to the above mentioned festivals, the prople of Assam also celebrate Ali-Ai-Ligang, Sri Krishna Raas Lila, Kherai, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, Tusu Puja, Bathou Puja, Durga Puja, Holi, Dipawali, Id, Muharram etc.
Few Dances of Assam
Folk Instruments of Assam
