State
: Assam in IndiaBest time to Travel : November to April
Location : Sibsagar, 369 km from Guwahati, the commercial capital of Assam. It is about 150 km east of the famous Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
Know Sibsagar
Sibsagar is about 150 km east of the famous Kaziranga National Park, in the state of Assam. Sibsagar in Assam is the old capital of the Ahom Kings who ruled Assam for 600 years, until the British annexed the region in 1826. The town is built around the a large 129-acre artificial tank called the Sibsagar Lake (which had given the town its name), dug over 200 years ago. One can still find the archaeological remains, palaces, and temples of the Ahoms, now being preserved as national protected monuments.
Today, Sibsagar is a rapidly developing town in commercial, industrial and educational activities. It is also an important centre for the tea and oil industries. But evidence of its royal past is overwhelming. Journey to Sibsagar
Airport : The proximity to a number of airports around Sibsagar-Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Dimapur, and Tezpur - makes Sibsagar easily accessible for the tourists.
Road Transport : The National Highway 37, which runs right through Assam state from its western border with Bengal to the north-eastern tip along Arunachal Pradesh, connects Sibsagar with Guwahati (the state capital) and Kaziranga on one side and Dibrugarh on the other. The route is lined with lush emerald green forests.
Staying in Sibsagar
Tourist lodges and circuit houses are available at both Jorhat and Sibsagar. The latter also happens to be the district headquarters and a leading tea and oil-producing region. The accommodation found here is very cheap. You may not find a luxury accommodation at Sibsagar in Assam.
Sightseeing in Sibsagar
Charaideo Located around 28 kms east of Sibsagar, was the original capital of the Ahom Kings built by Sukhapa the founder of the dynasty in about 1229. Charaideo is famous for its numerous maidams (vaults) of the kings and members of the royal family resembling the pyramids of Egypt. Most of them were built of stones and bricks and are now in ruins.
Gaurisagar Group
16 km south of Sibsagar on the Assam Trunk Road, Gaurisagar is one of the historical tanks built by Queen Phuleswari in the year 1723. This spring fed tanks covers an area of 150 acres under water and on its banks stand three temples dedicated to Devi, Shiva and Vishnu.
Gargaon Palace
The principal town of the Ahom Kings, constructed by the 15th Ahom King Suklemnung in 1540. The palace lies 13 kms east of Sibsagar. The present seven storied palace was built by King Rajeshwar Singha in about 1762. All the underground stories and passages were blocked by the East India Company. The magazine made of bricks is within the palace compound and further eastward are two old stone bridges constructed by King Gadadhar Singha.
Sibsagar Tank and Temples
The tank was dug around 200 years ago. The tank is fed by natural springs and is surrounded by deep ditches and earthen moats. Three temples are built on its bank - Siva temple, Vishnu temple and Devidol temple. Joysagar Tank and Temple
Historical records reveal that the tank was constructed in 45 days at Rangpur in 1697. The tank stands on the area of 318 acres half of which is under water and on its banks stand the Jeydol (Vishnu) temple, Shiva temple and Devi Ghar and Ghanashyam (Nati Gosain) temple.
Talatal Ghar
Built in 1699 by king Rudra Singha is located about 6 km away from Sibsagar. It is an underground garrison having three stories the lowest connected with Dikhow river by tunnel.
Rang Ghar
The Ahom Kings watched elephant fights and other sporting events from this two - storied, oval-shaped pavilion built by king Pramutta Singha.
Kereng Ghar
9 kms from Sibsagar is Kereng Ghar. This is a seven storied castle - four above and three below the ground containing two underground pathways to Dikhow river and Garden palace.
Some Important Destinations Near Sibsagar
Jorhat is 55 km from Sibsagar Assam. It isfamous for its sprawling tea gardens. It is the nerve centre of tea industry. It has the world renowned Teklai Experimental Centre. Research is carried out to find new varieties of tea and also therapeutic effected of green tea. Regional Research Laboratory which is situated here conducts investigation on plants, herbs and seil. There are also other organisations such as Assam Agricultural University, Technical School etc.
From Jorhat, one may extend one's tour to Majuli, the largest island on the Brahmaputna. In Majuli, there are numerous Satras or monasteries.
Dibrugarh is 76 km from Sibsagar Assam. Dibrugarh is an upcoming major trading centre and an amazing river side town in Upper Assam. This is the place where the mighty river Brahmaputra is at its best.
Visit Kaziranga National Park, about 150 km east of Sibsagar. Kaziranga Park is the home to single nosed rhinos.
