When you are holidaying in a place as diverse and as vast as Assam, the one thing you don’t need is to miss out on a place that commands a visit. But a packed travel calendar might lead you to this felony without your knowledge. Well, time to stop worrying as we have brought this 5―day vacation plan in Assam keeping in mind all that you should not miss or give a skip due to time restriction or plain forgetfulness! Kick off your vacation with a visit to the most famous place of Assam―Guwahati. A growing commercial haven, Guwahati is the best place to enjoy all the flavours of the seven states of north-east India. Spend your day visiting destinations like Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple, Srimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra and Assam State Museum; enjoy delicious food in the restaurants of Panbazar and relax in your hotel room as dusk envelopes the land of breathtaking beauty. Continue your vacation with a trip to the mythological town of Tezpur; then move to witness Ahom glory in Sivasagar; go for a memorable safari in Kaziranga National Park and end your vacation with a day in Assam’s cultural capital, Jorhat.
Guwahati
Guwahati has been hovering a tad below the radar as a tourist destination of choice, which is surprising because it sits on a cultural and spiritual epicenter and is fast emerging as a world-class city. A silent witness to some epic moments in history stretching back to the days of the Mahabharata, it was in this city where the winning march of the seeming to be invincible Mughals came to a grinding halt. Giving the city its majestic charm, is the river Brahmaputra, which flows through its heart and which is intrinsically linked to its destiny. Add to it the gigantic Himalayan ranges and what you get is a tourist’s paradise, a city that could be the answer to your spiritual quest.
TEZPUR
Situated in Sonitpur district of Assam, Tezpur is an important travel destination for the traveler who likes to uncover unknown heritage sites during a quiet vacation. Located at the bank of the Brahmaputra, Tezpur is a pre – historic city that finds reference even in The Mahabharata. Popular in Assam as the City of Eternal Romance, Tezpur is the background for the mythological love story between princess Usha (King Baana’s Daughter) and prince Anirudha (grandson of Lord Krishna). Myriad archaeological sites, a deep mythological link and mesmerizing natural beauty make Tezpur a must – visit for every traveler! And yes, other major tourist destinations like Nameri National Park and Itanagar are easily accessible from Tezpur.
SIVASAGAR
A full – fledged tourist attraction in itself, the town of Sivasagar is the jewel in the crown of the holistic travel guide of Assam. Located 363 kms north-east of Guwahati, Sivasagar is well connected with the rest of the state by road and train network. Formerly known as Rongpur, Sivasagar was the capital of the mighty Ahom Dynasty whose reign lasted for 600 years and is associated with many wars with the Mughals and is the only reason Assam never came under the Mughal rulers! The Ahom rulers left the town studded with stunning monuments, temples and man–made lakes that are a glorious reminder of the region’s unique history. Start with the Charaideo hillock that is covered with the tombs of 42 Ahom kings and queens. The pillars in this area stand testimony to the excellent architectural skills and craftsmanship of that era. Do not miss out on Rang Ghar, the royal amphitheatre from the Ahom days and a signature structure of Assam. Often referred to as the ‘Colosseum of the East’, Rang Ghar has become a part of the collective identity of the entire state. Other places of interest include Joy dol, Shiva dol, Kareng Ghar, Talatal Ghar and Sivasagar tank.
JORHAT
Located 306 km north-east of Guwahati, the town of Jorhat occupies a critical position in the socio-cultural milieu of Assam. Often referred to as the cultural capital of Assam as well as a ‘Knowledge City’, this town is rich with numerous incidents of glory and grandeur. This is the town where the world’s oldest Tea Experimental Station was founded―Jorhat is home to the famous Tocklai Tea Research Institute. The first air plane on north-eastern soil landed in Jorhat (1928); first electricity installment in upper and central Assam took place here (1923) and Assam’s first stadium was built in this town. An academic hub, Jorhat is home to numerous universities and research institutes. Not to mention the artists, writers and poets that this town has given birth to over the last few decades.
