Spread across a lush green landscape dotted with imperial bungalows that exude colonial charm, Jorhat, the second-largest city of Assam, is an eclectic mix of cultures, diverse tribal communities, vibrant festivals and bustling markets. A major hub for exquisite Assamese jewellery, Jorhat has several renowned craftsmen who have been practicing their art for generations. The city is popular for pure gold jewellery made in Ahom (Assamese) style, and is a little dull in its shine. The gold jewellery is filled with lac, in which gemstones are embedded with the help of gold leaf. Not just jewellery, Jorhat has been one of oldest and the most important centres of commerce and trade in Assam. It was the capital of the powerful Ahom dynasty (1228-1826). Jorhat was built around two major markets, the Chowkihat and Macharhat, which came up on the banks of the pristine Bhogdoi river that flows through the city. In fact, 'jor' or 'jora', in Assamese means two and 'haat' means a market. Jorhat also boasts some of the most spectacular tea gardens in the state that are sprawled across vast expanses. With the distinctive aroma of tea in the air, one can stroll through breathtaking lush greenery and enjoy the serenity of the beautiful gardens. Bhismaknagar - Roing Ranging from snow-crowned mountains to verdant forests, Bhismaknagar, in Arunachal Pradesh, is a magnificent tourist stopover. With the alluring charm of the majestic Himalayas, Bhismaknagar is considered to be one of the most picturesque locations in the state for its placid lakes, sparkling rivulets, deep gorges and enchanting waterfalls. Around 30 km away lies Roing that is known for its heritage riches and warm Mishmi and Adi tribal populations. The ancient forts and enigmatic sites of Roing have been fetching countless tourists every year. Built with burnt bricks in the 12th century, the Bhismaknagar Fort is one of Arunachal Pradesh's oldest archaeological sites. Several artefacts, terracotta items and rare excavations housed in the fort are a testament to the rich cultural past of the region. Bhismaknagar lies about 289 km away from Jorhat. Digboi The city of Digboi, around 200 km from Jorhat, has been bestowed with an eccentric amalgamation of tea, nature, wild animals, British culture, and war and boasts of a disparate experience. The main attraction is the Dibru Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the largest wildlife park of Assam and is located on the banks of River Brahmaputra; 60 km from Digboi. Home to over 300 species of birds, along with several migratory birds, it is an ideal getaway for birdwatchers. Some of the popular species you can find are Bengal florican, white-winged wood duck and spotted billed pelican. The sanctuary gained the status of National Park in 1999 and ranks amongst the 19 biodiversity hotspots throughout the world. Also known as the oil city of Assam, Digboi was the first Asian city where an oil well was drilled and the foremost refinery set up in 1901. It has the oldest oil well in operation, a well-developed infrastructure with guest houses and tourist residential apartments laid on Italian architectural plan. Over 100 years old, it produces approximately 65 million metric tonne oil per annum with the use of modern technology. It also produces a wide range of petroleum products namely wax, fuel, and bitumen and so on. Golf Course Nestled amidst lush green hills and enveloped by the pleasing aroma of tea, this 18-hole golf course in Digboi is considered the best in Assam. The Golf Course has been witness to countless tournaments ever since it was established in 1888. Sprawling over an area of 6309 yards, it is surrounded by the Dehing Forest Reserve on three sides, while its fourth side offers mesmerising views of mountain ranges situated in Arunachal Pradesh. Near the 11th hole of the golf course, you can also witness the remains of an oil well. The golf course is not only a haven for golf enthusiasts and professional golfers but also offers tourists a chance to indulge in various activities. It hosts entertainment programmes every evening at its clubhouse where you can play indoor games or go for a swim. Stop at the clubhouse bar to unwind yourself or head to the restaurant and enjoy local delicacies. Don't forget to visit the nearby Dehing Forest Reserve, which is home to a variety of species of birds and animals, including elephants, wild boars and hornbills. Gymkhana Club Said to be the third-oldest golf club in the world, the Gymkhana Club, located on the outskirts of the city, serves as one of the best leisure spots. A popular venue for horse races and other enticing sports activities, it is a lush green 9-hole golf course circuit. It also houses lawn tennis grass courts, a swimming pool, and billiards boards. The cricket ground, known as 'Jorhat Gymkhana Ground' had the honour of hosting the CK Naidu Under-19 Indian Cricket tournament matches. Moreover, the club also includes a movie theatre, three beautiful teak panel bars with high ceilings, a 4,000-sq-ft auditorium that hosts scores of events for sports lovers and respite seekers. The Gymkhana Club was established in 1876 by D Slimmon, then secretary of the club in Seconidhara village. Lachit Borphukan Maidan Constructed to honour great warrior Lachit Borphukan, the Lachit Borphukhan’s Maidan is one of the most attractive sites in the city. It is a memorial stone built in the memory of Lachit Borphukan, an Ahom general with exceptional military skills who fought bravely in the battle of Saraighat to conquer back Guwahati from the Mughals. After his demise, this maidan was constructed by Swargadeo Udayaditya Singha of the Ahom kingdom, in the year 1672. The tomb is a place of great pride for Jorhat residents and hosts a museum within its premises. The museum houses numerous precious artefacts used by the great general and also runs a slideshow on his lifestyle and history. The maidan is situated only 8 km away from the famous Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, which is home to a rare species of apes called the Hoolock gibbon. Molai Molai, a man-made forest is one of the most beautiful sites in Jorhat. Housing wildlife like Indian rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, rabbits, deer, a wide variety of birds and herds of elephants, the forest offers opportunities of jungle safaris as well. More awe-inspiring is the fact that the forest, a result of the continuous efforts put in by celebrated environmentalist, Jadev Molai Payeng, was planted with trees on a 1,360 acre land within 30 years. This forest plays a massive role in maintaining a proper ecological balance in Assam and was recreated owing to deforestation in Molai. The work began with planting trees on the bank of River Brahmaputra and later on turned into a huge forest area sheltering several wildlife creatures. Encapsulating the essence of nature and wildlife it is a door to other tourist attractions such as Kakochang Waterfalls, Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Sukapha Samannay Kshetra and Tocklai Tea Research Centre. It is a paradise for photographers and those seeking tranquility, owing to the perfect foliage and serene waterfalls in the premises. Mon The quaint town of Mon in Nagaland, around 144 km away from Jorhat, is an ideal stopover for trekking and angling. Known as the land of the Konyak Nagas, the charming town makes for a perfect vacation spot for nature lovers and adventure travellers. Its traditional architecture and age-old sculptures are reminiscent of the historic past of the Konyaks and their culture. For scintillating views of the Brahmaputra river and the Chindwin river of Myanmar, head to the highest peak of Mon, the Veda peak. The Longwa village in Mon is the closest you can get to Myanmar as the Indo-Myanmar border passes through this village. Shangnyu and Chui are two other villages in Mon. Declared as ethnic villages, Shangnyu and Chui provide various educational research opportunities to anthropologists. Shyam Gaon Home to tribals of the Khamyang community, also known as the Shyam tribal group, the Buddhist villages of Balijan Shyamgaon, Betbari Shyamgaon and Na Shyamgaon are a delight for tourists who wish to experience Assam's culture and ethnicity in its rawest form. The members of the 100 odd families that live here are said to be the descendents of people who had moved to Assam from Thailand in the 13th century. A visit to the villages will give you an insight into the lives of the Khamyang people. Nestled 30 km from Jorhat, the three villages have been inviting a number of Buddhist scholars from countries like Myanmar, Japan and Thailand for research purposes. These villages are home to many monasteries or viharas, where monks teach Tai and Pali scriptures to students. Tourists also visit the Balijan shrine, which is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. Sivasagar Built around a 129 acre artificial tank called the Sivasagar Tank, the Sivasagar town, around 50 km from Jorhat, previously and popularly renowned as Sibsagar, literally translates into the ocean of Lord Shiva. There is a lot to explore in this upper Assam tourist destination yet the most significant attraction is the Sivasagar Tank, which was built more than 200 years ago. The presence of historical monuments belonging to the Ahom times (1228-1826) is considered the pride of the town and so are the tea gardens surrounding it. Other important attractions one can look out for are the temples around the tank namely, the Shiva dol, the Vishnu Dol and the Devidol. All these temples were built by Queen Madambika in the year 1734. Talatal Ghar, Kareng Ghar and Gargaon Palace are some of the popular palaces in the town. Sivasagar Tai Museum The Tai Ahom Museum or the Sivasagar Tai Museum has been established to display the artefacts and former glory of the Ahom kingdoms of past. Many historical pieces like manuscripts, swords, vestments, etc. have been preserved here – much to the history enthusiast’s delight. Dibrugarh Famed as the 'Tea City of India', the quaint town of Dibrugarh, around 140 km from Jorhat, is slowly emerging as a popular tourist attraction of Assam. Walking through lush green British-era tea gardens ranks as the best experience one can take in Dibrugarh. The Jokai Botanical Garden cum Germplasm center attracts nature lovers with some of its rare and endangered species of plants. You can also visit the beautiful white temple of Radha Krishna in Jalan Nagar to soak in spirituality. However, the most popular temple in the town is the Jagannath Temple, which is a replica of the famous temple of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts can head to the Dibru Saikhowa National Park, which is one of the world's 19 biodiveristy hotspots. Started with an aim to preserve the rare white-winged wood duck, the park is also famous as the habitat of some rare creatures like capped langoors and water buffaloes.
© Bonjour Media. All Rights Reserved.
