Assam

“The Gateway to North-East India”
A Glimpse of Assam Tourism

One of the most beautiful states of India, Assam is the gateway to the enchanting and unexploited northeastern part of the country. With the majestic Brahmaputra river,magnificent hills, its rich flora and fauna and wildlife, the state is a tourist paradise.

Renowned for its tea, wildlife and silk, the state of Assam is gifted with lush green meadows, fertile plains, the large Brahmaputra river, the beautiful hills, the blue mountains, the magnificent looking tea plantations, the rich flora and fauna. The vibrant lifestyle, the all-smile people, the presence of diverse tribes and culture add to its uniqueness. Assam is famous for its wood, cane and bamboo crafts, pottery, handlooms, jewellery and colourful masks. Weaving is the traditional art of the Assamese people and one can witness it in the intricate designs made on the silk sarees and traditional Mekhela chador.

Local Food and Cuisine of Assam

The cuisine of Assam is a simple one with minimal use of colourful and teasing spices or oil. The food here is rich given the exotic flavors and fresh and natural ingredients.

The staple item is rice and all that goes in and around it, forms the cuisine of the area. Spices used here are subtle like cumin, coriander, mustard, ginger, garlic, fenugreek, panch foran and cardamom. Assam’s Laksa (a spicy-sour fish base noodle soup) is almost as staple and popular as rice. Preparations of exotic fruits and vegetables as well as fish, duck and pork are also popular. Khar,Tenga, Pura, Poitabhat, Pitika, Paan are what Assamese Cuisine is known for and identified with. Another item without which the very definition of Assam is incomplete is Tea. One can indulge in the finest varieties of tea in the area and lose themselves in their strong and refreshing flavour and fragrance.

What’s Great?

The spectacular scenic beauty with abundance of fresh air and greenery all year round;; convenient air travel, pleasant temperature and its connectivity to all other Northeastern cities.

What’s not so Great?

Relatively less developed tourist facilities as compared to rest of India. All cities are not easily accessible. Heavy rainfall may hinder travel in the monsoons.

For Whom?

Assam is the perfect family getaway. The tour of cities reveals the abundant scenic beauty that this state holds in store. It is also an abode of wildlife enthusiasts due to the unique ecology. Wildlife sanctuaries like Kaziranga and Manas are considered a treat for nature and animal lovers.

People and Culture of Assam

The people of the state are friendly, and they belong to different tribes and communities. Keeping in sync with the picturesque landscapes and colourful customs, the people of Assam are a perfect example of unity in diversity. The state has the largest number of tribes within their variety in tradition, culture, dresses, and exotic way of life.

The native and official languages of the state are Assamese and Bodo. The major religions of Assam are Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Buddhism. From ancient times, artist and sculptors, masons and architects, and others craftsmen such as weavers, potters, goldsmiths, artisans working with ivory, wood, bamboo, cane and rawhide have flourished in Assam.

Geography of Assam

The beautiful state of Assam is located in the North East of India and borders West Bengal. It shares an international boundary with Bangladesh and Bhutan and has a hilly terrain. A large area of Assam is naturally irrigated by the two major rivers – Brahmaputra and Barak and the hills of the Barail range run between these two valleys. Known around the world for its fragrant tea, Assam is home to a majority of India’s tea gardens. Guwahati is the largest city and serves as the connection between the North Eastern states and mainland India. Dispur, Jorhat, Tezpur and Dhubri are some of the other main cities in the state.

History of Assam

The ancient history of Assam shows consistency with contemporary events in mainland India and has been clearly documented since the 1st century AD. It was known as Kamarupa and ruled by subsidiaries of North Indian rulers. The 13th century saw invasions from the North and East by the Delhi-based Islamic rulers and the Chinese army.

The Ahoms ruled Assam at the time when Mughals were presiding over the rest of India and were deposed by the advent of the British in 1826. After independence, few parts of Assam became part of East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh) and the present day state of Assam was formed in 1962 as various states of the Northeast were carved out of it.

Brahmaputra – The Soul of Assam

Flowing through most areas of Assam, the Brahmaputra is more than just a geographical entity. It has integrated into the culture and society of Assam. On its bank, all the major cities thrive and provide livelihoods to thousands of people. The river also nurtures the vast amount of forests in Assam that are teeming with wildlife. The river has been at the centre of art, culture, folklore and literature for its aggressive temperament during the monsoons. Today, it has become an important part of the tourism industry, and many cruises operate along the river.

Arts and Crafts of Assam

Assamese crafts show a wide variety across the region and reflect local cultural influences that have evolved over time. The most famous crafts are undoubtedly the bamboo and cane products, but other crafts like woodwork are also famous. The metal crafts in the form of articles of worship as well as household items have made Assam a favourite destination for those who want to add a touch of rusticity to their homes. The tribal masks and traditional painting styles reflect the massive tribal influence on the lifestyle of the people as well as the thriving tribal culture that still forms an integral part of the state.

Vibrant Festivals of Assam

Like other North-Eastern states, festivities form the core of Assamese life, and this state has no dearth of festivals. The most famous, Bihu, is related to the agricultural cycle and is celebrated three times a year to correspond to various harvest and planting seasons. Bohag Bihu, Kaati Bihu and Magh Bihu are the three festivals celebrated by different communities in their distinctive way with dances and rituals. The Ambubachi Mela of the Kamakhya temple, Ali-ai-Ligang and Jonbil Mela are other major festivals.

Breathtaking Wildlife of Assam

Because of its geographical diversity, Assam is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. It has many different ecosystems like rainforests, grasslands, bamboo orchards, wetlands and marshes. Most of these forests are now protected as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and are open to tourists except in monsoon. Many rare species of animals and birds like the Golden Langur, the One-Horned Rhino and a variety of hornbills, amphibians and vultures are found in these forests. It has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.