Assam : The Shangri-La of the North East

Tourism is a social phenomenon of modern society. It generates revenue, employment opportunities, enhance social progress and encourages the protection of the environment. According to Prime Minister Modi tourism is important because it gives economic opportunities to the poorest of the poor.Tourism based activities have direct and indirect correlations with all the other sectoral activities.

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas Assam with its exquisite beauty and charm is truly a bestowed region . It has fascinated the rest of the world with her aura of myth and mysteries, history and folklore, music and dance . The state is rich not only in cultural heritage but also in natural beauty and mineral resources. 

The Vaishnavite lamp in Dhekhiakhowa Namghar established by the saint Sri Madhavdeva at Jorhat has been burning since 1461AD and is considered to be the oldest burning oil lamp .It has been burning till date with the help of the priests who religiously refuel it, as and when required . Digboi a small town in Assam is Asia’s oldest refinery which was established in 1901. The colonial aura still hangs in the air with the century old Victorian bungalows surrounded by well-maintained lawns and small kitchen gardens.

Majuli the largest inhabited riverine island in the world is located in the upper reaches of the river Brahmaputra in Assam. The island serves as a monastic retreat to the Vaishnavite community and is well known for the traditional Assamese and Mishing tribal architecture. The Vaisnavite Satras of Assam has been playing a vital role in shaping the religious and cultural history of the Assamese people since the 16th century. Majuli truly captures ones heart with its raw beauty filled with wildlife and thick vegetation. Unfortunately this beautiful island is shrinking and sinking due to frequent flooding of the Brahmaputra. 

It has been said that the single most powerful thing one can do to combat climate change and promote peace is to plant a tree. Assam native Padma Shri recipient Jadav Payeng known as the Forest Man of India has been doing just that and lives a life that most people dare not imagine: rise before dawn, paddle across a river, nearly every day, for almost 40 years to replenish nature. Since Jadav started planting, his forest now covers an expanse of some 1,400 acres, nearly double the size of New York’s central park at 843 acres.

Long before Ms. Rowling conceived of the idea of Harry Potter, Mayong, the Hogwart’s of Assam has been the land of witchcraft and black magic for centuries. The name Mayong comes from the Sanskrit word maya and there are many scary tales associated with Mayong. People still practice magic today that has been passed down from generation to generation .

The Jonbeel Mel started by the Ahom kings in the 15th century is one of the most unique festivals of Assam, where the barter system comes alive. The three-day-long Jonbeel Mela, held in the month January or February at Dayang Belguri in Morigaon district, celebrates the phenomenon where goods are exchanged for goods as per one’s needs. 

Assam is home to the one-horned rhinoceros and the mind-numbing paradox of birds committing mass-suicide at Jatinga . Also known as the valley of death for birds, Jatinga is a small village in Assam located 330 kilometers south of Guwahati.Over the years thousands of birds have flown to their death in a town of only 2,500 people.UNESCO world heritage sites Kaziranga is famous for its one-horned rhinos and Manas is known for many rare and endangered animal species of the world. 

The Saikhowa National Park is one of the biodiversity hot spots in the world. The park is  well-known for wild horses, elephants and tigers. It also has a huge collection of avifauna that includes both local as well as migratory birds. The  state of Assam houses one of the rarest and unique collections of species that makes the place an ideal one for wildlife holidays.

Assam has several religions and culture that flourished  over the passage of time. Many temples and monuments are there which reflect different traditions and religious beliefs. The Kamakhya Temple is one of the oldest of 51 Shaktipeeths. Located on top of the Nilachal Hills, this temple is an icon of belief and has a mythological story attached to it. It is among the most revered Shakti shrines in India. 

The Nabagraha temple is the temple  of nine planets. This shrine had been the centre of study of astrology during the earlier times. The  Umananda Temple located at the center of the Brahmaputra River is  the smallest inhabited river island in the world. In this temple Maha Shivratri is celebrated in a grand manner.

Assam is world renowned  for its tea plantations. Assam contributes 15.6% of world’s tea production and 55% of India’s tea output. The hundreds of lush green tea-gardens have not only added charm to the states natural beauty but also forms the backbone of its economy. In 1835, the East India Company established its first tea garden in the state. Later in 1844 this garden was sold to Assam Tea Company which had been formed in 1839. Since then the number of tea gardens have increased by leaps and bounds. Today, there are over 900 tea gardens in Assam. 

Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam have their roots in the diverse faith and belief of the inhabitants. A spirit of accommodation and togetherness characterizes the celebration of all festivals. The perfect fusion of heritage of numerous races has made Assam, the home of the most colorful festivals which are passionate, compelling and mesmerizing reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestyle of the people of Assam.

Assam is undoubtedly the Shangri-La of the North East. Yet it’s still an unexplored  tourist destination compared to the rest of the country. If proper infrastructure is built, access to the state is expanded , security and a conducive environment is provided, advertisements through digital and print media are vigorously made then tourism can bring people from all over the world to the region. Visitors exploring Assam will be mesmerized by the undulating scenic beauty, wild habitats, ancient temples of mysticism, unique monastical practices, villages of well preserved colorful festivals and indigenous cultures.The great Swami Vivekananda once rightfully said “Next only to Kashmir, Assam is the most beautiful place in India.”

(Sanhita Saikia  is a freelance journalist based at New Jersey, USA. She can be contacted at sanhitasaikia@yahoo.com)