In the Rhino country

Assam, the land of t h e Rhinos is a fascin a t i n g destination in the North East of India. It is also the largest and most easily accessible of all the Northeastern states. The undulating hills, lush evergreen forests, shimmering rivers and rivulets as well as a wealth of wildlife makes Assam one of the dream destinations in the whole of North East India.

This breathtaking state is strategically positioned and is conspicuous with a long international border that it shares with countries like Bhutan in the north and Bangladesh to the south. With an area encompassing all of 78,529 sq kms and with a population in access of 25 millions, Assam beacons nature lovers from the world over.

Guwahati the capital city of the state is also the gateway city to the Northeast of India. It is the commercial and aviation hub of North East India. The irresistible Brahmaputra River, the only male river in the world kisses the city as it meanders its way through much of Assam. An ancient land, Guwahati is most renowned for the holy Kamakshya Temple, which happens to be the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Tantrik Hinduism. The ethereal sight of the mighty Brahmaputra River when viewed from the Kamakshya hilltop makes for a truly kaleidoscopic vignette.

As the gateway city of the North East, Guwahati has indeed come of age. Trendy multi cuisine restaurants, neon lit bars, deluxe hotels and a youth brigade which is constantly evolving to the demands of the new age are characteristic features of the city.

Assam is also the land of tea and a major part of India’s tea is manufactured in the more than 600 tea estates spread all over Assam. The Guwahati Tea Auction Center witnesses some of the highest tea auctions anywhere in the world. A silent revolution is taking place in the North East of India, not through terrorism but through Tea Tourism and the state of Assam is playing a decisive role. The genesis of launching Tea Tourism by converting the Victorian style Manager’s Bungalows into heritage properties has become a reality. Some of the big names in the world of tea like Tata Tea, McLeod Russell, Glenburn Tea estates and whole lot more have shown tremendous interest in this novel Tourism project and many of them have started attracting the discerning international tourists.

One of the most enduring tourist hallmarks of Assam is the rare and endangered One Horned Rhinoceros found in Kaziranga, Manas and a few other wildlife reserves of the state. The world famous Kaziranga National Park, which shot into international limelight as the last remaining habitat of the One-horned Rhinos in the 60’s decade largely due to the pioneering efforts of “Uncle Robin” or Robin Banerjee, one of modern India’s most renowned wildlife expert, environmentalist, photographer and documentary filmmaker who single handedly brought Kaziranga into the world vision through his 50 minutes documentary –“Kaziranga” that was beamed on Berlin TV in the year 1961.

Ever since then, the Kaziranga National Park has evolved into one of India’s top-end National Parks and given the Park’s immense wealth of wildlife species that seek refuge here, the UNESCO has conferred Kaziranga National Park with the status of a World Heritage Site (Natural).

The other renowned National Park is Manas, which like its predecessor Kaziranga has also been designated with the status of a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Located on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas close to the Bhutan border, apart from the Rhino, one is also likely to encounter endangered wildlife species like the tiger, pygmy hog and the golden langur.

In order to cater to the exacting demands of the discerning world traveler, both Kaziranga and Manas have classy jungle properties with all modern amenities and the very best of the Assam’s fabled hospitality can be savored at both these national parks.

Assam is also the melting pot of exotic tribals and by far one of the best regions in the whole of India to come in contact with tribals belonging to the Mongoloid race. The Bodos, the Chutiyas, the Miris, the Kacharis, the Koches, the Morans etc…lead a fascinating lifestyle, which has for decades together attracted the attention of anthropologists from the world over. The Bodos for instance speak a dialect of the Sino-Tibetan language.

A lot of legends and mythologies are associated with the tribals of Assam. For instance the traditional Karbis live with a belief that there is a king of their own and they are awaiting his return on earth. Most tribals live in traditional huts and the floors are raised several feet above the ground. Apart from their melodious songs and rhythmic dances, the tribals of Assam are very hospitable.

For centuries together Assam has provided asylum to people as diverse as the Austro-Asiatics, Negritos, Dravidians, Alpines, Indo-Mongoloids, Tibeto- Burmese as well as Aryans who made their way into Assam through a multitude of routes and each of them contributed their own unique tradition and heritage into the evolution of the great Assamese civilization.

If you happen to visit this enchanting state during the Rangoli Bihu festival, a carnival spirit reverberates throughout the state. Rangoli Bihu is the biggest festival of the people of Assam and is usually held in the month of April. The neighborhood parks and empty spaces are converted into makeshift cultural venues where the rhythmic Bihu dance is performed by the beautiful Assamese belles to the percussion beat of the “dhoti-clad” drummers heralding the festive season. You would do well to visit the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra at Guwahati for the most authentic Bihu rituals.

With the growing awareness of Assam’s incredible tourist diversity, there has been a gradual increase in the number of tourists arriving from mainland India as

well as from abroad and this has necessitated the organizing of a festival primarily aimed at attracting the attention of the discerning international tourists to Assam. The annual Brahmaputra Beach Festival organized by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation has all the ingredients of a fun-filled rendezvous with enchanting river cruises, exciting water sports and impressive native cultural programs highlighting the rich cultural mosaic of the state. This festival offers a peek into the fascinating Assamese culture and heritage and is one great way of being accustomed to all things Assamese.

While in Assam, make it a point to visit places like Majuli and Sibsagar. While Majuli is the world’s largest riverine island, the ancient town of Sibsagar is replete with edifices belonging to the Ahom era, who ruled Assam for more than 600 years.

Avisit to Assam is a journey to an India you never knew existed and is aptly summed up by the dynamic Managing Director of Assam Tourism D e v e l o p m e n t Corporation, 

Mr. Dipak Kumar Goswami thus – "The eclectic mix of culture, adventure and nature in Assam is like a series of piquant montages and nature in this part of the world is nearly perfect. Through a slew of infrastructure development, Assam is in the process of gathering the accoutrements that in the coming years will emboss the splendid occasion when the whole world will gasp at her ethereal beauty, her trousseau, her gait".

For further information and reservations,

contact - Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. Dr. B. Barooah Road Ulubari, Guwahati - 781007 Assam, India
Phone: +91-361- 2454421 Fax: +91-361- 2454570
Email: astdcorpn@sancharnet.in/p>

By Subhash Chakroborty