|
Assam
is one of the most easily accessible states
of the northeast. It is spread all along the
valley of the river Brahmaputra. Guwahati,
the capital city is situated at the site of
the ancient city of Pragjyotishpura,
renowned for astronomy. Of all the things,
the state is known more for three specific
things. The first is the one-horned rhinos
Kaziranga National Park, the second is the
Assam tea and the third is the Kamakhya
temple, one of the Shaktipeeths of India.
The other places to visit in Assam are the
Nameri Sanctuary, where you can find the
clouded leopard, mithun and the white-winged
wood ducks and Haflong, full of natural
beauty of the blue hills, cascading
waterfalls orchids, and orchards of orange
and pineapple.
The Kaziranga National Park is the
first national park to be listed in the
UNESCO's World Heritage Site. It is known
for the endangered species of the Rhinoceros
unicornis or the one-horned rhinos. The park
spans over an area of 860 sq km. The other
species found in the park are the Asiatic
Elephant, Asiatic Wild Buffalo, Gangetic
Dolphin, Hoolock Gibbon, the Royal Bengal
Tiger and the Swamp Deer.
Majuli is the world's largest river
island covering an area of 800 sq km of
dense forest and beach. It is situated on
the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra. The
Majuli Island is rich in natural and
cultural wealth. The island is a home to
innumerable species of birds. The Vaishnava
satras or the monasteries houses
500-year-old valuable relics of music and
craft. There are no accommodation facilities
available at the island for the tourists but
they can stay at the satras.
The best way to savor and enjoy the tea
plantations of Assam is by spending a few
days in the Tea Bungalows. They are the tea
garden bungalows that have been converted
into hotels. To get hands on experience of
life at the tea garden is by staying at the
planter's bungalow at Dibrugarh.
Horse-riding tour are organized to take you
round the tea plantations.
The Kamakhya Temple is one of the
most sacrosanct Shakti shrines in India. It
is associated with the legend of the Shiva
and Daksha Yagna. It is believed that the
groin portion of Sati fell at the very place
where now the temple stands. Assam
traditionally has been known as the Kamarupa
Desa and has been associated with the
fertility cult of Tantric practices and
Shakti worship. The other temples of
importance are the Navagriha Temple at this
site has 9 lingas, which symbolizes the 9
celestial bodies or the planets of
astrology. The Madan Kamdev Temple now in
ruins can be dated back to the 10th century
AD is known for erotic sculptures on its
walls. The evidences of early sculptural art
can be seen at the Da Parbatia Temple at
Tezpur.
|