For the unversed, Assam is one of the seven sister states of the Northeast. Since time immemorial, Assam is known for the massive Brahmaputra, its cruises, and the tea gardens. However, there is another face of Assam that very few people know about. It is one of the most culturally diverse, traditional, yet attractive spots for tourism. Moreover, the state boasts of diverse topography that consists of temples, hills, forests, and national parks. It is also one of the most bewitching places in India. Once you go there, you have to keep going back again and again.
Assam is also the gateway to the Northeastern states, like Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. If you are travelling by train, you need to disembark at Guwahati, Assam and continue the remaining journey by road. It is also famous as the land of ‘Blue Hills and the Red River’. You will be amazed to know that Assam shares borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh. The state enjoys evergreen vegetation throughout along with a tropical climate. Many people also head to Guwahati to pay respect to the Goddess Maa Kali at Kamakhya, which is the state capital. The elevation of Assam is not much, though. But you can still enjoy good weather, emulating the hills at times.
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Background of Assam
Assam boasts of numerous tourist spots. It has a huge conglomeration of wildlife as well. You will be bewildered to know, that the popular one-horned Rhino is only found in Assam. The state capital houses the Kamakhya Temple, which people from all over the world visit. The rituals held at the temple draw devotees and tantric practitioners aplenty as well. Majuli Island is another highlight of the Assamese region. It is the largest riverine island in the world. You should also know about Hajo, which is a pilgrimage spot for as many as three religions. You will com across mosques, temples, as well as churches in the place.
Assam also boasts of the hill station called Haflong. It is from Haflong, that the hilly terrain starts and the altitude keeps rising. The rolling mountains and the lush green fields beckon the tourists.
Assam is also known for its myriad festivals. The festivals celebrate the spirit of culture, traditions, and diversity. Some of the major festivals in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela, and Jonbill Mela. You will also find the residents celebrating other festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Lakshmi Puja in accordance with Bengal’s religious calendar. You should visit Assam between October and May, as the weather is very good. It is best to avoid the rainy season, due to frequent floods. Some of the best spots which you should visit are:
Popular Tourist Attractions
Assam boasts of numerous tourist spots. It has a huge conglomeration of wildlife as well. You will be bewildered to know, that the popular one-horned Rhino is only found in Assam. The state capital houses the Kamakhya Temple, which people from all over the world visit. The rituals held at the temple draw devotees and tantric practitioners aplenty as well. Majuli Island is another highlight of the Assamese region. It is the largest riverine island in the world. You should also know about Hajo, which is a pilgrimage spot for as many as three religions. You will com across mosques, temples, as well as churches in the place.
Assam also boasts of the hill station called Haflong. It is from Haflong, that the hilly terrain starts and the altitude keeps rising. The rolling mountains and the lush green fields beckon the tourists.
Assam is also known for its myriad festivals. The festivals celebrate the spirit of culture, traditions, and diversity. Some of the major festivals in Assam are Bihu, Baishagu, Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela, and Jonbill Mela. You will also find the residents celebrating other festivals like Durga Puja, Kali Puja, and Lakshmi Puja in accordance with Bengal’s religious calendar. You should visit Assam between October and May, as the weather is very good. It is best to avoid the rainy season, due to frequent floods. Some of the best spots which you should visit are:
- Kaziranga National Park
- Manas National Park
- Kamakhya Temple
- Majuli Island
- Hajo
- Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Umananda Island
- Haflong Lake
- Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
- Orang National Park
- Panimoor Falls
- Dima Hasao
These are just a few of the tourist spots, that you must check out on holiday. However, the list is exhaustive.
Activities That You Can Indulge in Assam
You can try out a huge variety of activities in Assam. There is something for all ages.
- Jeep Safari – You can head to Kaziranga Wildlife Sanctuary and get on a jeep, to tour the forest. The chances of spotting a tiger are quite high there. Apart from tigers, you can spot the one-horned Rhino, elephants, wild boards, water buffalos, and reptiles. Going on a safari is nothing short of an adventure. Any moment, any wild animal can also give you a wild chase. So, keep this activity for the strong at heart.
- Trekking – If you are an adventurist at heart, it makes sense to go on a trekking expedition in Assam. The Karbi and Cachar Hills is the perfect spot for trekkers. Moreover, you will also find many camps there, for the assistance of the trekkers. You can also head to Elephant Rock, which is quite famous for climbers.
- River Rafting – It is another popular activity that you can engage in Assam. The river Brahmaputra offers a lot of scope for river rafting. The sport is a risky as well as challenging one, so you can reserve it for the adventurous at heart. You can also indulge in boating at Hajo, Saulkuchi, and Barpeta.
- Folk Dance and Music – Assam is quite famous for its folk dance, music and art. So, you must indulge in such activities. Otherwise, your tour will not be complete. Three Bihu festivals are held in Assam, every year. Some of the prominent dance forms in Assam are Bihu, Bagurumba, Bhortal, and Ojapali. You will be amazed to discover the foundation of Assamese music. It has a descending scale, which is quite different from the ragas and folk music in other parts of India.
- Fabric Tour – The state is quite famous the world over, for its Assam Silk and Muga silk. Moreover, you will feel amazed to drape the traditional attire, Mekhla Chador, on yourself. People from all over the globe buy the silks at exorbitant rates from the artisans. The traditional ‘Gamosa’ is another famous attire amongst the Assamese. You should get one as a souvenir, to carry back home.
How To Spend a Few Days in Assam
You can cover quite a few spots in Assam, as mentioned above, in a week. But if you want to go deeper, you need to stay there for alt least a month. But that too, can fall short. Guwahati is the first place where the tourists head. You can attend the puja at Kamakhaya Temple and pay your reverence to the goddess. Apart from that, you can also visit a few other temples like the Umananda, which is located on a small island in between the Brahmaputra. You can also check out Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra and Assam State Museum within the city limits. Take a boat ride from the ghats one fine evening while gorging on snacks. You can also visit the Guwahati Zoo, which is located on a beautiful hilly terrain.
After you are done with Guwahati, you can head to Kaziranga for a 2-night’s stay, to enjoy jeep safaris. Additionally, you can also visit Hajo, Majuli and Haflong on additional days. You can visit Hayagriva Madhab Temple, Powa Mecca Mosque, Powa Mecca, Kedareshwar Temple, and Ganesha Temple at Hajo. Moreover, Majuli Island is near Jorhat town and is a haven for nature lovers. Haflong is famous for paragliding, trekking, and bird watching. It is nature’s delight.
How to Reach the Assam
The nearest airport is Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, in Guwahati, which is very well connected with other cities in India. The other airport is at Dibrugarh.
You can also choose to reach Guwahati Railway Station in Guwahati. Book a bus or cab to the other destinations. Cabs and taxis are readily available.
You can also take Government-owned state transport and private buses from the nearby states. There are buses that can take you to other tourist spots as mentioned above from Guwahati.
Places to Stay in Assam
There is no dearth of places to stay at in Assam. In Guwahati there is a huge range of hotels from 2-star to 5-star category. As you move towards Kaziranga, Haflong, or Hajo, you can opt for lodges and homestays. You can also avail yourself of resort accommodation, like Brahmaputra Jungle Resort, Spring Valley Resort, and Green Wood Resort to name a few.