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The Glory Of The Past
Sibsagar was known as the former capital of the Ahoms, who ruled
Assam for more than 600 years till the advent of
British. One of the oldest towns in Assam, Sibsagar
- "The Ocean of Shiva"- lies 60-km east of Jorhat and 369-km
from Guwahati and is an important centre
for the tea and oil trades. It's cluster of monuments from six centuries
of Ahom rule are still of significance to modern Assamese culture.
A huge artificial tank, constructed by Queen Madambika in 1734, lies at
the heart of the complex. Rising from its southern shore, the massive
plain 32-metre-high Shivadol is the tallest Shiva temple in India, flanked
by smaller temples dedicated to Durga and Vishnu. Pilgrims come from all
over the state visit this temple during the Shivaratri festival. On the
western shore of the lake next to a park, the Tai Ahom Museum contains a
few ill-labeled artefacts.
Modern Sibsagar is a fast developing town and is the headquarters of the
district of the same of name. The Eastern Regional Headquarters of the Oil
and natural Gas commission is located at Nazira only a few kilometres away
from the town.
Kareng Dhar & Talatal Ghar
A seven-storied place having three storeys underground is known as
Talatal Ghar and the upper storey is known as Kareng Ghar were built by
King Rudra Singha (1696-1714) and are situated 6-km away from Sibsagar
town. There were two underground tunnels from the Talatal Ghar connecting
Dikhow River and Gargaon place, which were later blocked by the East India
Company.
Rang Ghar
A two-storied oval shaped pavilion from which Ahom royalties watched
elephant fight and other sporting events. It was built by King Parmatta
Singha (1744-1751) and stands close to the Kareng Ghar.
Gargaon Palace
Gargaon, the principal town of Ahoms built by the XV King Suklenmung in
1540, lies 13-km east of Sibsagar. The old palace was destroyed and King
Rajeswar Singha rebuilt the present seven-storied palace around 1762.
Jaysagar Tank and Temples
The tank was built by King Rudra Singha in memory of his mother, Joymoti,
a patriotic martyr in 1697 at Rangpur (5-km). It covers an area of 318
acres and on its bank 3 temples were built in 1698 by the same monarch.
These are the Joydol (Vishnu temple), the Shivadol and the Devidol, which
are highly revered.
Gaurisagar Tank and Temples
The Gaurisagar tank was built by queen Phuleswari Devi (1722- 1791) and
was dedicated to goddess Durga. It is covering an area of 150 acres and
enclosing Shivadol and the Vishnudol temples. Gaurisagar is only 12-km
from Sibsagar.
Rudrasagar Tank and Temple
King Lakshmi Singha built the tank in 1773 in memory of his father King
Rudra Singha. On its banks stand a Shiva Temple and is situated 8-km away
from the Sibsagar town.
Namdang Stone Bridge
The Bridge, cut out from a single solid rock over the Namdang River is
situated 12-km away from Sibsagar. It was constructed by workmen brought
from Bengal during the reign of King Rudra Singha in 1703.
Charaideo
The original capital of the Ahom kings, built by Sukapha, the founder of
the Ahom dynasty, in 1253 AD is 28-km east of Sibsagar town. It is famous
for the numerous "Maidams" or burial vaults of king and other
members of the royal families.
Ajan Pir Dargah Sharif
At Saraguri Chapori (22-km) stands Ajan Pir Dargah Sharif. Ajan Pir was
the first Muslim saint to compose "Zikir" in Assamese language.
On the day of the "Urs" thousand of devotees gather here to pay
homage to the memories of this great Muslim reformer.
Other Places And Shrines Of Interest
There are a great number of Vaishvava Sattras, Muslim Dargahs, Buddhist
and Sakta shrines situated in and around Sibsagar. There are more than 500
tanks, vaults, earthen forts and "Rajbaries" (Castles),
belonging to the Ahom, Manipuri, Jaintia and Shan Princes and Kachari
kings.
Rail: Simaluguri, the nearest railhead, 20-km east,
is served by frequent buses from the junction 200m north, all passing
through Gargaon.
Road: From the ASTC bus stand, 300m east at the junction of
Hospital road and AT road, one can find regular bus services to
Jorhat,
Kaziranga,
Guwahati, Tezpur
and Tinsukia. The private bus stand is situated across the road. Three
daily buses serve Charaideo from the Saheli stand, by the same junction.
For Gaurisagar, tempos can be picked up at the central market. Other local
destinations are best reached by auto-rickshaw.
The best place to stay in Sibsagar is the tourist bungalow by the southern corner of Sibsagar tank, which also serves as the tourist office. Alternatives include the hotel Kareng in temple road, 100m in front of Shivadol temple, and the Annapurna lodge, with its reception at the private bus stand.
Post & Telegraph:
The post office is situated at the south of the lake, opposite the Durga
temple, with a 24-hour telecom office but there are no foreign exchange
facilities.
Rudrasagar: 8-km
Rangpur: 5-km
Gaurisagar: 12-km
Gurgaon: 13-km
Simaluguri: 20-km
Saraguri Chapori: 22-km
Jorhat: 60-km
Click here for Tourist Map Of Sibsagar
Click here for Road Map Of
Sibsagar
Click here for Railway Network
Map Of Sibsagar