Tezpur
The City Of Eternal Romance
Amid tea gardens and military cantonments on the north bank of the
Brahmaputra, 181-km northeast of Guwahati, the pleasant little town
of Tezpur, built around several lakes, stands on the site of Sonitpur.
Undulated green valleys surrounded by hills of Arunachal Pradesh,
with snow capped peaks of Himalayas as the northern backdrop, lush
green tea gardens and magnificent archaeological ruins have all
contributed to make Tezpur a tourist's delight.
The Legend Of Sonitpur
Sonitpur, as ancient Tezpur was known in the olden days is a city
steeped in mythology, legend and folklore. The City of Blood ('Sonit'
of 'Tez' - Blood, 'Pur' - city) conjures up images of the romantic
legend of Usha and Aniruddha and of the fierce battle between "Hari"
and "Hara". Old Darang became today's Sonitpur - Tezpur
being the district Headquarters of Sonitpur.
According
to the legend, Darang was the capital of demon King Banasura, an
ardent follower of 'Bhairavnath', incarnation of Lord Shiva. Usha,
the beautiful daughter of King Bana happened to see her love in
her dream. Following the description of Usha, her confidante Chitralekha
portrayed it in painting. The lover was none other than Aniruddha,
Grandson of Sri Krishna, King of Dwarka, who was finally found out
and the wedding of Usha and Aniruddha took place according to 'Gandharva'
tradition.
When it came to the knowledge of Bana he sent Aniruddha to prison.
To rescue his grandson Sri Krishna came from Dwarka. In response
to the call of his devout Bana, Shiva also came there. When the
appeal for rescue failed sword fight ensured between Hari (Lord
Krishna) and Hara (Lord Shiva in the form of Banasura), resulted
in bloodshed in the entire town.
Since then the town has been named as Sonit or Tezpur meaning "A
blood stained town". Bana was vanquished and Usha and Aniruddha
were united forever. Usha and Aniruddha settled on the Bamuni hill,
5-km away from the city. The ruins and remains of "Agnigarh"
where the immortal romance blossomed, still bear mute testimony
of this legend.
A Treasure House Of Assam's Cultural Heritage
Tezpur's contribution to art, culture, literature particularly to
the freedom struggle has earned for her a unique niche in the history
of Assam. Chandra Kumar Agarwalla, Ananda Agarwalla, Dandi Kalita
and a score of others enriched Assasmese literature.
"Rup Konwar" Jyoti Prasad the doyen of Assasmese art
and culture was an artist, poet, literature, dramatist, lyricist,
filmmaker and a fearless freedom fighter. In 1942, for the first
time in entire British India, the Tricolour was hoisted in the police
station at Gahpur, a quite town under Sonitpur district. Fourteen-year-old
Kanaklata braved British bullets and died holding the national flag
aloft over here.
Excursion
Nehru Maidan Nehru Maidan, the triangular green park behind the
tourist lodge, features a pretty little church and the small District
Museum, with old manuscripts and sculptures from both ancient and
modern times, labeled in Assamese and English.
Chitralekha Udyan
Opposite the Tourist lodge, Chitralekha Udyan, with its central
lake, was established by a British deputy commissioner in the 1800's
to house remnants of Asura's palace. The park is at its best in
the early evening when the fairy lights and pathways are lit up.
The Mahabhairav Temple
The main market, Chowk Bazaar, is on MC Road roughly 1-km north
of the tourist lodge, with the ancient Mahabhairav temple, dedicated
to an incarnation of Shiva, still further north.
Agnigarh
1-km east along the river Brahmaputra, the hill of Agnigarh commands
great views over the town and river, and is said to be the place
where Asura imprisoned his daughter, Usha. Preserving the sweet
memory of young lovers, Agnigarh or the rampart, surrounded by fire,
is perhaps the most beautiful tourist sport of Tezpur. According
to legend princess Usha the only daughter of King Banasura was kept
inside the palace, which was surrounded by rampart of fire.
Da-Parbatia
There is little left of Da-Parbatia temple, 6-km west of town, except
its finely carved doorframe depicting Ganga and Yamuna, said to
be the oldest specimen of religious art is Assam. The ruins of the
doorframe of Da-Parbatia Temple are perhaps the finest and oldest
specimens of sculptural of iconoclastic art in Assam. Its carving
has the characteristic of the style of early Gupta School of sculpture.
The doorjambs having two Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna standing below
with garlands in hands in artistic pose and elegance are decorated
with beautiful ornamental foliage.
Bamuni Hills
The ruins of Bamuni hills are famous for its artistic beauty. The
sculpture remains, which had been dated back to the 9th and 10th
century AD, now lie in the Cole Park and Missionary compound.
The Hazara Pukhuri
This large tank preserves the name of Harzara Varman in Tezpur and
was excavated in the early part of the 19th century. This is the
third largest tank covering an area of 70 acres.
Cole Park
It is one of the most beautiful places in the town. The park, which
was first established by a British Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Cole,
is the place for peace loving people. One can see here the two massive
ornamented stone pillars and the sculptural remains of the famous
Bamuni hills.
Bhalukpong
Bhalukpong, a beautiful picnic and angling spot was the capital
of 'Bhaluka', the grandson of King Banasura. It is 64-kms from Tezpur
under the foot of Aka Hills (Arunachal Pradesh ). Remains of old
fortifications are still visible. This picturesque place lies on
the way to Bomdila in Arunachal Pradesh . Other attractions of Bhalukpong
are a hot spring, a big orchid garden at Tipi and the unspoilt beauty
of nature.
Eco Camp
About 50-km from Tezpur, off the road to Arunachal Pradesh , drive
over a dirt track and creaky bridges to reach the Eco Camp, a unique
experiment by the Assam anglers Association and the state's Forest
Department. The Eco Camp is near the Jia Bhoroli River and across
the river, on the other side, is the Nameri Tiger Reserve.
Bhomoraguri
A mammoth stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora
Phukan, who planned to construct a bridge over Brahamputra could
be seen here. Almost two centuries later, a bridge over Brahmaputra
at the same place has now been completed. The 3.05-km bridge named
after the great Ahom general, connecting Nagaon district with Tezpur
was opened for vehicular traffic by the than Prime Minister of India
Late Rajiv Gandhi on April 3rd 1987.
The Nameri Tiger
Reserve
The Nameri Tiger Reserve sprawls over from Assam into Arunachal
Pradesh. The best way of traveling here is on elephants as there
are no roads inside the park. The thick jungle, with patches of
swamp, is home to a variety of animals and birds. Among the animals
that one can spot over here include the powerful Mithun or Indian
Bison and the rare white winged Wood Duck, counted among the most
endangered bird species on earth.
Orang Wildlife Sanctuary
A miniature Kaziranga covering an area of 72-km is only 65-km to
the west of Tezpur town. The animals to be seen in this sanctuary
are One horned Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Leopard, Sambhar, Barking Deer,
Tiger, varieties of water birds, Green Pigeon, Florican, Teal, Geese
and Wild Elephant.
Kaziranga National Park
The first national park of Assam, Kaziranga is 80-kms from Tezpur
via Kalia Bhomra Bridge. The park is world famous for its one-horned
Rhinoceros. Kaziranga is the abode of varieties of wildlife life
such as Tiger, Elephant, Indian Bison, Buffalo, Leopard, Jungle
Cat, Hog-Badger, Cap Langur, Hillock Gibbon, Swamp Deer, Sambhar,
Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Goose, Hornbill, Ebisse, Cormorant,
Egret, Heron, Fishing Eagle and Pelican.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport is Saloni about 10-km from Tezpur.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Rangapara 60-kms from Bhalukpong
and 65-km from Orang Wildlife Sanctuary.
By Road
The state bus stand has ASTC buses to Guwahati via Kaziranga continuing
to either Tinsukia or Dibrugarh. Other services run to Sibsagar,
Shillong and Siliguri. APSTS buses run to Itanagar and Bomdila via
Bhalukpong. Private bus companies also operate from opposite side
of the state bus stand and run luxury buses to the same destinations
once or twice daily.
General Information
Location : 181-km Northeast Of Guwahati,
Sonitpur District, Assam
Formerly Known As : Sonitpur
Main Attractions : Da-Parbatia Temple,
Agnigarh & Bamuni Hills
Best Time To Visit : October To
May
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General Information & Accomdation info on Tezpur city of Assam - India
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