Feast your eyes on Eastern India, where greenery, lakes, tea fields, and welcoming hearts live in a peaceful environment. Assam is famous for its natural beauty, vibrant culture, and leisurely lifestyle among the seven sister states. Even the Places to Visit in Assam are too many to spoil you for choices. The name recalls the hills of Guwahati, the mighty Brahmaputra River, expansive tea fields, and much more.
A trip to Assam can be one of your best ideas if you are looking for new experiences. If you don’t know what to expect from Assam, we are here to help. Here, we populate a list of the Best Tourist Places in Assam that will leave you spellbound.
History of Assam
The ancient name of the state was Pragjyotisha or Kamrupa. Prag means eastern, and Jyotisha means star. As such, Pragjyotisha meant the “city of eastern astrology.” Legend has it that when Sati died, grieving Lord Shiva wandered on the earth carrying her corpse.
Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s body into pieces to relieve his grief, which fell into different places where Shakti Peethas sprung up. One such Shakti Peetha is the Kamakhya temple, a popular tourist place in Assam. After this, Lord Shiva sat for meditation, but God sent Kamdev to interrupt him.
He succeeded but angered Lord Shiva turned him into ashes. This state was called Kamrupa, where Kamdeva gained his ultimate form.
The history of Assam has been eventful. The Ahoms named it Asom, or Assam, who came here in the 13th century and ruled for almost 600 years. After that, the British took over, and the Burmese attack shrunk the area of Assam.
In the post-colonial era, Assam became an Indian state with Shillong as its capital, which was later shifted to Dispur. In independent India, Assam gained recognition as a tea-exporting state and a tourist destination. The Capital City of Assam is Dispur.
If this is your first trip to Assam, this will be the first of many. Repeatedly, you will come here to breathe the fresh air and aromatic tea fields. For now, if you are unaware of Assam tourist places, this list of the 10 best places to visit in Assam will significantly help.
1. Guwahati
Guwahati is a prominent city in Assam, including Dispur, the state capital. It is called the gateway to east India, as you can reach the northeastern states from here. The vibe of this city is altogether different, and you can smell the spirituality in the air. The city is only 55 meters above sea level, on the banks of the river Brahmaputra. The river divides the town into two. One of the city’s major attractions is the Saraighat bridge, connecting the two parts of the town.
It is one of the Assam places to visit for Hindu pilgrims, as the Kamakhya temple is situated here. This is where one of Devi Sati’s body parts fell. Located amidst the Brahmaputra River is a small island one can reach by ferry to see Umananda Shiva temple.
Justifying the state’s ancient name, the city houses a temple of nine planets – The Navagraha Temple. It beautifully depicts the solar system in a beehive pattern, with the sun in the middle and the nine planets surrounding it. Other prominent places in Guwahati are Vashistha Ashram, Guwahati Zoo, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, and more.
- Best Time To Visit – From October To April when the Bohag Bihu festival is organized. The Durga Puja festival in October is an auspicious time to visit.
- How To Reach – The Guwahati International Airport is connected to all prominent cities nationwide. There are regular trains and buses from various states and cities to Guwahati.
2. Kaziranga National Park
When you hear Assam, Kaziranga National park comes to mind. The picture of one-horned Rhinos roaming and running in the expansive fields make it one of the best places to visit in Assam for nature lovers. The park spans 1430 square km. The park area is so huge that its eastern and western areas have significant differences in vegetation, altitude, animals, and more.
Kaziranga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was declared a national park in 1974. It covers two districts, Nagaon and Golaghat. The place is devoid of human presence, so Rhinos and tigers roam here so freely. What separates Kaziranga is the natural scenic beauty and rich wildlife, including elephants, swamp deer, water buffaloes, Sambar, Hog Deer, gaur, etc. But the prime attraction here is Rhinoceros. There is also a Bird sanctuary to enjoy watching beautiful, exotic birds.
- Best Time To Visit – The park is open from November to April. The temperatures here are as high as 37⁰C in summer; thus, winters are the best time to visit.
- How To Reach – The nearest airport is 80 km in Tezpur. There are Guwahati and Jorhat airports as well. The Guwahati to Tezpur distance is 168 km. Also, regular trains fly from Guwahati to Nagaon. From Nagaon, you can take a bus.
3. Majuli Island
Do you know where the world’s largest river island is? That’s right here in Assam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site contender. Majuli Island is a nature lover’s fantasy, as it is peaceful, green, and pollution-free. Each year, thousands of devotees visit it to drown in the place’s natural beauty. The island is between the Brahmaputra River in the south and Subansiri in the North.
You can experience the tribal culture here, which has kept this place’s identity unique. They call it the cultural capital of Assam. The various festivals organized here are the major attractions for tourists. The island keeps bustling with vibrant and colorful people as the Raas Purnima approaches, which is an auspicious celebration. The music and dance will mesmerize you. The celebration depicts the life of Lord Krishna, who used to engage in Raas with Gopis in Vrindavan.
The 22 Vaishnav Satras are also a highlight of the Island. Some significant Satras worth visiting are Kamalabari Satra, Dakhinpat Satra, Auniati Satra, etc. You can take long walks in its expansive green meadows, dip your legs in the turbulent Brahmaputra, or dance alongside its people to the rhythm of nature.
- Best Time To Visit – Visit this island from September to June, and you can be part of its various functions.
- How To Reach – Jorhat airport is the best option. From there, you can take a ferry. You can also reach her via train or road.
3. Shivsagar
Shivsagar, the name itself is so beautiful. Shivsagar means “The Ocean Of Lord Shiva.” Whether you are a history lover, nature lover, architecture lover, or peace seeker, you will find this place perfect. Shivsagar was a favorite among Ahom Kings. As one of the famous places in Assam, this little town is beautiful, surrounded on two sides by rivers.
There is the Brahmaputra River on the north, Jhanji river in the west, and Nagaland to the south, while the Charaideo district in the east. Some of Assam’s best places to visit are here, notably the Talatal Ghar. This is an old army base with two secret tunnels used as escape routes during wars.
The place got its name Talatal because it has three floors below the ground level, which gave the army an edge over the attackers. It is a perfect place to get a glimpse into the war history of the place.
If you want to look at more historical war tools, Ahom Museum is just for you. This Museum displays objects used in the bygone era, including war equipment, clothes, armory, etc. Other key places to visit include Rang Ghar, Siva Dol, Kareng Ghar, Gaurisagar tank, and more.
- Best Time To Visit – Visit this town in the winter.
- How To Reach – Jorhat is the nearest airport at 75 km. The place is also well-connected through trains and roads.
4. Hajo
Several places in India present unique examples of religious harmony. Hajo is a pilgrim place significant for Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists. This ancient pilgrim town is a must-visit when traveling to Assam.
Though a small, sleepy place, it is called the ride of Assam. Located on the banks of the River Brahmaputra, it is only 24 km from Guwahati. The attractions include Hayagriva Mahadev Temple, a prominent place for Hindus. An idol of Lord Vishnu, identical to the one in Jagannath Puri, is worshipped here. You must come here during Holi and celebrate here with great zeal.
Mecca Powa is also a great place to visit. Powa means a quarter; this place is a mini version of Mecca. It’s built on the foundation, featuring soil brought from Mecca. Pir Giausuddin Auliya’s tomb is situated here. The place was built in the 17th century, and since then, it has attracted pilgrims every year.
The town is also sacred for Buddhists as it is believed that Buddha attained his Nirvana here. Some other places to visit in Hajo are Joy Durga temple, Kedareswar Temple, Kameswari temple, etc. feel free to take long walks on the banks of Brahmaputra to experience the serenity of the place.
- Best Time To Visit – Monsoon is beautiful here, and the best time to visit is from June to September.
- How To Reach – You can fly to Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, the nearest airport. The nearest train station is Guwahati. From there, take a bus or cab.
5. Kakochang Waterfall
For nature lovers, Assam is heaven. You will agree to this when you visit the Kakochang waterfall. It is situated In the Golaghat district, only 13km from Bokakhat, standing tall as one of the leading places to visit in Assam. The waterfall is situated near Kaziranga National park and is a popular picnic spot for locals who want to spend a day in the lap of nature.
The waterfall is situated among the rubber and tea plantations. So, you can expect some stunning views of the lush green plantations of tea, rubber, and coffee. Don’t forget to visit the Numaligarh ruins if you are a history buff. If you are into trekking, you can take the 4-kilometer trek to the waterfall base. People love to take a dip in the water. This waterfall is also called Kakojan because of its location amidst the unexplored hills and trees.
When visiting Assam, plan an entire day to visit Kaziranga and Kakochang waterfalls, as they are close to each other. Kaziranga is only 23 km away from Kakochang. You can see some beautiful animals, then come to the waterfall, trek to its base, dip, and enjoy a picnic here.
- Best Time To Visit – Visit the place in winter when the monsoon is over, as Assam is blessed with abundant rainfall.
- How To Reach – The Jorhat Airport is 78 km from the waterfall. Furkating is the nearest train station, and the place is also well-connected via the road network.
6. Tezpur
Tezpur is an ancient town with peace and tranquility on offer. It is one of the largest cities in Assam and a must-visit destination. Its history can be traced back to the 4th century. Various myths are associated with this town. Snow-laden Himalayan mountains are in the distance, like green meadows, grounds, and beautiful tea gardens.
Tezpur means the “City of blood”. It was named so after a war between Lord Krishna and Banasura. The city was drenched entirely in human blood, and thus, it was named so. You have plenty of places to visit in Tezpur, including Agnigarh. It is a Firewall that King Banasura constructed to protect his daughter Usha from Aniruddha, Lord Krishna’s grandson. Lord Krishna won the battle, and the couple lived happily ever after. The Garh provides a fantastic view of Tezpur from up above.
Nameri National Park greets you as you enter Tezpur. It is only 35 km from Tezpur, so you cannot miss it. The reserve features several animal species in its natural environment. You can see Himalayan black bears, Hog deer, Sambar, leopard cats, wild boar, rufous-necked Hornbill, sloth bears, and more. This is a scenic place, so take your camera with you. Other significant Tezpur tourist places include Ouguri Hill and Bamuni Hill, which you must visit in Tezpur. It is an excellent destination for a honeymoon.
- Best Time To Visit – All through the year.
- How To Reach – Salonibari Airport is a domestic Tezpur airport, so you always have that option. It is also well-connected via railways and roadways.
7. Assam State Museum
Museums are a window for sneaking into the history of a place. The memories they give you are priceless. Plus, they make you respect the ancient culture and history. One such museum is the Assam State Museum. This place is bliss for history lovers and offers an insight into rich Northeastern history.
Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiti made this museum in 1940 to showcase northeast India’s sculptures, history, handicrafts, folk arts, arms, epigraphy, etc. State Govt. took over the museum in 1953 and set up a library in 1985. The collection here is worth appreciating. The artifacts and sculptures are as old as the 5th to 12th centuries.
The museum houses several ancient manuscripts carved on the tree barks, ammunition from World War II, terracotta sculptures, metal sculptures of several Hindu gods and goddesses, ancient stone and copper scriptures, etc. The best thing is you can also take the camera inside and capture some Instagram-worthy pictures.
- Best Time To Visit – It is open all year round. You can visit it between 10 am to 5 pm every day, except Mondays and 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
- How to Reach – The museum is situated in the heart of Guwahati, so you can easily reach it by cab.
8. Sualkuchi
Everyone loves handcrafted silk, which stands out for its elegance and comfort. Sualkuchi is where you will find that this art of weaving is still breathing freely. They call it the “Manchester Of The East,” the “Weaving village of Assam,” and the “Silk village of Assam.” The town is a part of the Kamrup district, on the banks of the river Brahmaputra, and it is only 35 km from Guwahati.
The weaving families that live here were brought from Tantikuchi when king Dharma Pal of the Pala dynasty decided to promote weaving in the area. The dynasties kept changing, but the art remained. The natural beauty of Assam is reflected in the work of weavers here as the creepers and peacocks find their way into the bedsheets, saris, and dupattas.
The mekhela chaddars woven by the weavers are popular across India and beyond. Visit Sualkuchi, one of the best places in Assam for fashion lovers.
- Best Time To Visit – As you visit Guwahati in winter, take a day out and listen to the melodic sounds of handlooms.
- How To Reach – The nearest airport is Guwahati Airport. You can also reach Guwahati via train, and then take a bus to Sualkuchi.
9. Dehing Patkai National Park
Imagine green hills, countless trees spanning the entire area, fog settling on the top of hills, and blue sky meeting the green at the horizon. Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it. You can visit this heaven in Assam at Dehing Patkai National Park. It is the 7th National Park of Assam. Called the Amazon of the East, the park is the longest lowland rainforest of India and home to many wild species.
The park is spread across a long stretch of 575 sq. km. covering Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Tinsukia of Assam, Tirap and Changlang of Arunachal Pradesh. The climate of the park is tropical, with 4000 mm annual rainfall. Multiple tribal communities of Assam call the reserve home. The wildlife of this park is worth mentioning, which covers 47 mammal species, 301 butterfly species, 47 reptile species, and 193 bird species.
If you are visiting Assam, Dehing Patkai National Park has to be on your bucket list.
- Best Time To Visit – Winters are best to visit the park.
- How to Reach – Dibrugarh airport is 944 km from the park. You can also take the train to Digboi, which is 20 km from it. Then, take a cab to the park.
Conclusion
It must have aroused the excitement in you to visit Assam. The state is known for its natural beauty, distinct culture, and national parks, which offer peace, a pollution-free environment, and an escape from your daily lives. The top 10 places to visit in Assam, discussed above, include every prominent place in Assam. They will help you understand the culture, bask in its natural beauty, experience the peace at the various temples, sneak into the history through the museums, and appreciate its heartwarming welcome. So, don’t wait anymore and start packing your bags. Assam is calling!
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