8 Reasons Why One Should Visit Assam Once In A Lifetime

Blessed with natural abundance, Assam offers travellers across the globe a million reasons to visit Assam round the year.

Only a few places carve such a deep, lasting impression on a traveller as Assam does. Sitting upon layers upon layers of history, there is perhaps no other state like Assam that is home to lush green valleys, Mighty Brahmaputra river, wildlife tours, culinary delights or local drinks, historical monuments of the Ahom Kingdom, and whatnot.

Assam overloads the senses with its cacophony of sounds, its natural habitat, ancient temples, and its extreme contradictions. We assure you that a trip to Assam is full of the unexpected but one thing’s certain: you won’t return home quite the same after the adventure!

Reasons to Visit Assam – The Gateway to Northeast India

There are a plethora of reasons to visit Assam. For those travellers who are visiting Assam for the first time, here’s a list of 8 reasons to visit Assam once in a lifetime.

1. Mayong- India’s Hogwarts

Ever heard of magical lands? Put down your Harry Potter books and go head to Mayong. Mayong village located in Morigaon district of Assam is known to be India’s very own magic land of witchcraft. We have all heard stories of people vanishing, human beings converted into animals, diseases being cured by the witch doctors in Mayong. 

2. Assam’s Chamber of secrets

There is something about hidden tunnels as redolent of mystery and adventure. Many existed as escapes and some were reopening to the past. So, what lies beneath the Talatal Ghar?

The enigmatic Talatal Ghar has two secret tunnels, and three floors below ground level. It is believed that these secret passages were used as escape routes during the Ahom wars.

One tunnel leads you to the Dikhow river and the other route takes you to Garhgaon palace. There are tales about people getting lost forever in maze-like underground chambers, which resulted in the British sealing the entrance leading underground. 

3. Barter Fair- Jonbeel Mela

Jonbeel Mela is the only regular event where the barter system has been kept alive by the people of Assam. This fair is held every year around Magh Bihu by the Tiwa community of Northeast India.

The idea of organizing this event is to sustain its culture and values. In this mela, rural folks across the hills descend to plains to exchange their organic and homegrown vegetables with whatever people from the plains have to offer.

4. Rhythmic click-clacks of Sualkuchi

When Mahatma Gandhi went to visit Sualkuchi and said “Assamese women weave dreams on their looms” does make sense. Sualkuchi is like a paradise for the weavers. 

Also considered as Handloom heritage, the village is popular for its excellent skills and craftsmanship. The most impressive thing about this place is that you will witness intricate designs developed on the naturally golden Muga silk in the karkhanas and the process of preparing silk garments at its various stages in each of the households.

Also Read: Watch: Assam-Meghalaya border population in a fix

5. The Smooth Silk

When we talk about Assam’s silk, it doesn’t get more indigenous than eri, muga, and paat. These three wild silks are only produced in Assam. The history of Assam silk goes further back than the Ahom era. Yes, handloom weaving has been the backbone of Assam.

For thousands of years, three of the wild varieties of silk are found here enormously. Muga Silk is a nature’s gift to the state. Muga silk is only produced in Assam by “Antheraea assamensis” or Muga worm. A unique characteristic of Muga silk is that the shine of the fabric improves after every wash.

6. Rang Ghar- Amphi Theatre

For all the heritage lovers and history buffs, it’s time for you to head to Rang Ghar. Rang Ghar is one of the oldest Ampi Theatres in Asia. It has been referred to as the ‘Colosseum of the East‘.

The theatre which is a two-storeyed building was built for amusement and fun. It was built by the Ahom King Swargadeo Pramatta Singha. This crumbling monument was once served as the royal sports pavilion where ‘Swargadeos’ and nobles used to witness games like buffalo fights and other indigenous sports at Rupahi Pathar.

7. First place in Asia to be drilled for oil

From the name ‘Digboi’ it is believed that the town got its name from the phrase “dig-boy-dig”. The story goes about that when the English and Canadian miners told the laborers as they dug for crude oil. The Canadians first noticed oil on the feet of elephants. That’s how oil was discovered.

The amazing fact about this town is where the first oil well in Asia was drilled. It happened during the early 18th century. The first oil refinery was operational in 1901.

8. Largest Shivalinga

Assam has the world’s largest Shivalinga in the Nagaon district. If you are a follower of Lord Shiva, then this place should be your ideal choice. The Maha Mrityunjay Temple in Puranigudan, Nagaon has the world’s largest 126-foot-tall Shivalinga.