Nestled in the Brahmaputra valley this state has Tantrik Shaktism, Shivaism and later Vaishnavism flourishing in its laps. From time to time people from different races, religion and culture have migrated to this place.

The Mohmmedan invasions brought Islam into the state. Sikhism flourished here, Buddhist communities have kept the flag of Buddhism flying high. The famous Gurudwara at Dhubri established by the ninth Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur is held in the high veneration by the sikhs throughout the country.

With the advent of new faith & religion many temples and monuments were built all over Assam. Most of these architectural graduers belong to the medieval period and represent the architectural style of the Koch, Kachari and Ahom royal courts. These temples and monuments, spread almost all over Assam, bear silent witness to a glorious past.

Temples & Monuments in and around Guwahati

Kamakhya Temple

The Shakti Temple of mother Goddess Kamakhya situated on the top of Nilachal Hills is 8 Km. away from the railway station of Guwahati.

The greatest shrine of tantric Shaktism find mention in the inscription of the Allahabad pillar of Samudragupta. Devotees from all over India converge on this holy place during Ambubashi and Manasha Puja. City buses ply regularly to Kamakhya. It can be easily reached by auto-rickshaw as well.

Nabagraha Temple

The temple of nine planets situated on Chitra Chal Hill in Guwahati. It is 3 km away from the Railway Station. In ancient times, it was said to have been a great centre of study of astronomy and astrology. This is also one of the reasons why Guwahati is referred to as Pragjyotishpur or the city of eastern Astrology. It can be approached by taxi or auto-rickshaw.

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Temples & Monuments in and around Guwahati

Umananda Temple

The great Shiva temple situated on the Peacock island in the middle of the Brahmaputra in Guwahati attracts devotees from all over the country during Shiva Ratri. One can visit the temple by crossing the river by country boat plying from Kachari ghat. On the north bank of the Brahmaputra, opposite Guwahati, where the third Pandava Arjun is believed to have watered his horse while undertaking journey during Ashwamedh Yajna. Regular ferry services are available to this place.

Basisthashram

Situated in the southern-most rim of Guwahati city on the Sandhyachal hill is a well known holy cum picnic spot, called Basisthashram, after the great vedic Sage Bashistha, who is said to have lived here. Three rivulets named Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta meet here and flow perenially adding scenic grandeur to the place. It is 12 Kms. from the Guwahati Railway Station. City buses ply regularly to the Ashram.

Madan Kamdev

Barely 40 kms. away from the sprawling metropolis Guwahati, on N.H. 52 Madan Kamdev is an enigma, a mystery, a marvel and in the words of Omar Khayam, "a veil past which I could not see". Very little is known about the origin of this magnificient archaeological ruins.Written history is almost silent on it, leaving wide room for conjectures and hypothesis.

Kamrupa - the ancient name of Assam, is believed to have derived its name from the legend that love God Kama or Madan, after being turned into ashes by an angry Shiva, was reborn here. One school believes that Madan was reborn and united to Rati on this tiny hillock. The season to visit is from October to May.

Poa-Mecca

There is also a mosque built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia and is held that it has one-fourth sanctity of Mecca and so it is known as Poa-Mecca. It is believed that by offering prayer a faithful gains one-fourth (poa) spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca and so is known as Poa-Mecca.

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Satra

The Institution of Satra is a unique feature of Vaishnavism in Assam, founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture.
Satras are basically monasteries which propogate neoVaishnavism. They also became centres for education and dissemination of the art of harmonius living.

In 15th century the first Satra was founded in Majuli. Since then sixty five Satras have come up for the propagation of ethics and socio-cultural ideals. However, at present there are only twenty two Satras in Majuli. The others had to be shifted to safer places due to the devastation of flood and erosion.

The main existing Satras are:

Dakhinpat Satra: Founded by Banamalidev, an exponent of Raasleela, which is now observed as one of the National Festivals of Assam. During Rasotsava several thousand devotees visit these holy Satras every year.

Garamurh Satra: Founded by Lakshmikantadeva. During the end of Autumn, traditional Raasleela (co-acting) is shown with great enthusiasm. Some ancient weapons called "Bortop" (canons) are preserved here.

Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the Satra is famous for "Paalnaam" and Apsara Dance and also its considerable collection of Assamese old utensils, jewellery and handicrafts.

Kamalabari Satra: Founded by Bedulapadma, it is a centre of art, cultural, literature and classical studies. It's branch, Uttar Kamalabari Satra, has showcased the Satria Art in several states of India and abroad.

Bengenaati Satra: It is a storehouse of antiques of cultural importance and an advance centre of performing art. Muraridev, the grand son of Sankardeva's step mother founded this Satra.
The royal robes belonging to the Ahom king Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha, made of gold and an golden umbrella are preserved here.

Shamaguri Satra: The satra is home to famous Mask crafts.

Batadrawa Satra: It is the birthplace of the greatest Vaishnava Saint Srimanta Sankardev,a Shrine and a centre of Vaishnava art and culture. It is about 140 kms. from Guwahati and about 15 kms. from Nagaon town.

Barpeta Satra and Kirtanghar : This famous Shrine and Kirtanghara attracts Vaishanavas from all over India. It was established by Madhadeva, the greatest discipleof Shankardeva.

Next Temples & Monuments in and around Tezpur

Temples & Monuments in and around Tezpur

Da-Parbatia

The ruins of the door frame of Da-Parbatia Temple a few kms. from Tezpur town, is perhaps the finest and oldest specimen of sculptural or iconoclastic art in Assam. It's carving has the characteristics of the style of early Gupta School of sculpture. The door-jambs having two goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna, standing below with garlands in their hands in artistic pose and elegance are decorated with beautiful ornamental foliage.

Agnigarh

"Preserving the sweet memory of young lovers", Agnigarh or the rampart, surrounded by fire, is perhaps the most beautiful tourist spots in Tezpur. According to legend, Princess Usha, the only daughter of King Bana, was kept inside the palace which was surrounded by rampart of fire. The present Agnigarh, now only a hillock facing the mighty Brahmaputra, provides the tourist a soul touching panoramic view of both the river and Tezpur town.

Mahabhairab Temple

 

An ancient temple where King Bana worshipped Mahabhairab, another incarnation of Lord Shiva. A place of pilgrimage.

 

 

 

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One of the world's largest rivers, the Brahmaputra and it's tributaries flow through the state offering a wide network of rivers for various water sports.

ANGLING

The river Jia Bhoroli, Kapili and Manas are the best places for angling. The Jia Bhoroli river is home to the fierce game fish, the Golden Mahseer, or tiger of the Himalayan rivers.

Famous for its golden Mahseer, an annual Angling competition is held regularly at Jia Bharali.

An annual Angling competition is regularly held at Jia Bhoroli where a number of anglers both from outside the state as well as abroad participate every year. Angling is so popular a sport here that there is an organised body by the name 'Assam Bhoroli Anglers Association' which organises this sport in the month of November every year in collaboration with the State Forest Department.

Eco Camp situated at the fringes of the Nameri National Park is an avid camper's ideal getaway.

 

Eco Camp, Situated in the fringes of Nameri National Park is an ideal camping site with all modern amenitites

 

 

 

RIVER CRUISE

The turbulent rivers, the mystic blue hills, the savage terrains and serene countryside beckon the adventurers to Assam. Challenge the Brahmaputra, one of the four largest rivers in the world and cruise down the mystic river from Ninging to Dhubri.

BOAT RACING

Boat racing is a very popular sport of the state. People very often organise boat racing during festive occasions at places like Hajo, Saulkuchi, Barpeta, Guwahati etc. The involvement of the masses in this sport can be compared with the snake-boat racing in Kerala.

RIVER RAFTING

The mighty river Brahmaputra and its turbulent tributaries like Manas, Jia Bhoroli and Kapili offer immense scope for River Rafting. The fiery rapids in these rivers fuel the spirit of adventure in you.

GOLF

Most of the tea gardens of Assam have golf courses attached to them. All of them are 9 hole golf courses except for Digboi which is an eighteen hole course.

Assam has 21 golf courses. Most of these are run by the tea estates and have air strips attached to them.

 

 

Golf courses in Assam

 

 

 

 

MOUNTAINEERING & TREKKING

Assam's topography makes her an ideal destination for trekkers, mountaineers and rock climbers. The hills, in particular, the North Cachar Hills and Karbi Hills are ready to receive tourists for trekking and mountaineering.There is a recognized trekking route in both the districts.
There is also a rock hill in Morigaon District known as "Elephant Rocks" which offer ample scope for Rock Climbing. The Simhasana Hill of Karbi Anglong is also famous for rock climbing. The main city of Assam, Guwahati, is surrounded on three sides with beautiful hills.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

The hilly terrain offers a very good challenge to Mountains Bikers. The Assam Tourism Department in collaboration with The Assam Tourism Development Corporation and other adventure organizations have organized several bicycle and motorbike rallies in and outside the state. Several foreign groups including individual tourists have visited the state for the same.

PARA-SAILING

A totally new sport, Para-sailing, has been introduced by Assam Tourist Development Corporation to attract domestic and foreign tourists. The ideal place for Para-sailing near Guwahati is North Guwahati. HANG GLIDING
Hang Gliding also has potential here. The ideal place for Hang Gliding are Kamakhya Hills and hills around Kaziranga.