Assam Tourism

Assam is the gateway to the North-East and is dominated by the mighty river Brahmaputra that has its origin in Tibet. Indeed, a large part of the state is located in the narrow valley that the river has created over the ages. The state population includes a startling mix of Dravidians, Aryans and Tibeto-Burmans. Assam is perhaps best known for two things: tea and the one-horned Rhinoceros, which is found in large numbers at Kaziranga National Park. The capital of Assam-Dispur, is a suburb of Guwahati in 1972. The uneven topography of the land, full of hills, plains and rivers might therefore have contributed to her name.

Jatinga where birds come in hundreds and die is also in Assam.Majuli - the largest river island in the world is in Assam. It's magnificient snowed sparkling river rumbles and swirls down the rugged mountain valleys of Arunachal Pradesh, and then through the dense green Balipara Reserve Forest, forming gorges and fiery rapids to join the mighty 'Brahmaputra'. Therefore, Angling in Assam becomes a favorite pastime. Similarly, dance is an important part of Assamese cultural life. Amongst dances of Assam, the most prominent of the classical dance forms is the Xattriya performed mainly during Bihu.

Assamese is the most widely spoken language of Assam and is spoken by more than one crore people. The origin of the Assamese language dates back to antiquity. Scholars are of the view that the language originated from the eastern variety of Magadhan Prakrit. It is by all standards a composite language into which words of Indo-Aryan, Indo-Chinese as well as Tibeto-Burman origins have made their way.

Assam was once upon a time the original home of tantricism in India. The Shakti temples like Kamakhya in Guwahati and Kechaikhati near Sadiya are proof to this. While veneration to Shiva largely prevailed in the early period, the other goddess cult gained ground subsequently. In fact, at one time, Assam came to be identified with tantrik shaktism, especially centering around the Kamakhya temple. Even today, Shiva and the Mother Goddess are venerated in various forms at the folk level in large sections of the Assamese society, both tribal and non-tribal.

General Information:

Capital : Dispur
Area : 78,438 sq km
Population : aprrox. 24,800,000
Principal Language : Assamese
Literacy Ratio : 53%
Airports : Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Tejpur, Jorhat, Silchar, Rilabari
Climate : Assam has four well defined seasons in a year. Summer, monsoon, winter and spring these four seasons presents Assam in different moods. The best time to visit Assam is during the winters and spring seasons. October to April offer a mild and moderate climate. Assam is never extremely cold or hot.
Clothing : Summers - Cottons.
               Winters   - Cottons or light woollens.