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The Remnants of Tantric Past
The Sadiya (Xadiya) Sub-division is the easternmost sub-division of
Assam. Carved out the old Tinisukia sub-division
(now a district), this sub-division came to existence in 1979 with the
only town Chapakhowa as the sub-divisional headquarter. The entire
sub-division, stretching from the southern bank of the Lohit, the
easternmost branch of the mighty Brahmaputra to the foothills of
Arunachal
Pradesh in north, abounds in places of tourist attraction.
An Ancient Capital Town
In the 14th and 15th centuries Xadiya was the capital of the Chutia
kingdom, which was later annexed by the Ahoms. Kundil or Kundiinagar, on
the bank of the river Kundd, was the capital of the Halah republic of the
Kacharis. Kundiinagar was built around 8th-9th centuries. The historic
capital town was obliterated by the devastating earthquake of 1950 and
successive flood and continuing erosion.
The ancient inhabitants worshipped Shiva and Parbati (or Parvati) whom
the Chutlas called 'Burha-Burhi' (the old man and the old lady). The
Deuris called them 'Gircha-girchi' who had a son 'Ballababa (the mad one)
and a daughter 'Kesoikhati'. Once there was a temple dedicated to
Kesaikhati, "the goddess who eats alive".
The temple known as the Tamreswari
Mandir was said to be located in this area, which has now become a
part of Arunachal Pradesh. Human sacrifice was prevalent for quite
sometime among the worshippers of 'Kesaikhati' who can now be seen in Na-
Sadiya, a few kilometres away from Chapakhowa.
A Bliss For Adventure Lovers
Places of rare scenic beauty abound in Sadiya area along the banks of the
rivers, Debang, Lohit, Balijan, Kundil, and Deopani. Fishing and boating
are possible in these and other smaller rivers, which crisscross the sandy
plains. For camping and picnicking one can find numerous places. One can
halt at Chapakhowa to witness the Remnants of Tantric glories.
Visit Roing a small, beautiful town on the foothills of
Arunachal
Pradesh just 24-km from Sadiya, where the ruins of ancient
Bhismaknagar, now in
Arunachal
Pradesh are situated. The longest Bailey bridge of Asia is situated
over the river Deopani near Roing and the small but eye-catching Salley
Lake is just 3-km away from the bridge.
One can see the breathtaking sight of the wide expanse of the two mighty
rivers Debang and Lohit from the observation towers near Safley Lake. From
Chapakhowa one may drive a distance of 84-km to reach the snow-clad
Mayodia Pass (Height 2656.7m). One has to start from Chapakhowa, then pass
Roing and travel along the 52 NH to Tiwari Gaon and then take the gravel
road to Mayodia.
Tourists can also visit the
Dibru-Saikhowa
wildlife sanctuary near Saikhowaghat and steal a glance at the
famous vaid (or semivald) horses which number around 150 and which can be
photographed easily.
HOW TO GET THERE
Road:
It is better to start from Tinsukia, which is 47-km from
Dibrugarh if one wishes to visit Sadiya
and other beauty spots on the north bank of the Lohit. It is almost an
hour journey to Dhola-Saikhowaghat where one has to cross the Lohit by
ferryboats. One may also cross the Lohit to enter another mighty river
Debang and then row back to reach the confluence of the three rivers
Dehang (Tsang-po in Tibet- China,) Debang and Lohit and witness the
'emergence' of the mighty Brahmaputra
because these three rivers join to form the
Brahmaputra.
WHERE TO STAY
One can contact D.F.O. wildlife, Roing (Arunachal
Pradesh ) for accommodation in the Tourist Lodge near Safley Lake
and in the Inspection Bungalow of the Forest Department.