Sonitpur

Welcome to Sonitpur- a land of natural beauty, ancient monuments and rich culturalheritage. Tezpur is an important tourist destination with beautiful parks, temples and ancient monuments. The name Tezpur is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Teza' (meaning blood) and 'Pura' (meaning town or city). Legend has it that the original name of this place was 'Sonitpur' ("sonit" in Sanskrit also means blood!) but when the battle between Krishna's army and Banasura's army fought for the rescue of Aniruddha (who was the grandson of Lord Krishna, according to legend) there was so much bloodshed that the whole place was stained in red. This led to the name of the place becoming Tezpur.It is the seventh largest city of Assam after Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Nagaon and Tinsukia.

Tezpur - 'City of Eternal Romance'

Situated on the northern bank of the mighty Brahmaputra, Tezpur also known in the ancient days as Sonitpur- is a serene quite town, famous for its beautiful parks , ancient Hindu temples and archaeological ruins steeped in mythology, legend and folklore.

One can either avail the package tours provided by private tour operators or can contact the Tourist Information Officer, Tezpur, Tourist Lodge. (phone- 91-03712-21016)

Tourist Spots in Tezpur Town

Chitralekha Udyan (Cole Park)

It is, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful places in Tezpur. Established by a British Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Cole in 1906, the park has two massive ornamented stone pillars, and other sculptural remnants . It was recently renovated and revitalized in 1996 under the stewardship of the then Deputy Commissioner, Mr. M.G.V.K.Bhanu, IAS.It has water sports facility, walk ways, restaurant and open air stage.

Agnigarh

This hillock on bank of river Brahmaputra is the site of legendary romance of princess Usha (the only daughter of king Bana) and Anirudha, grand son of lord Krishna. Usha was kept on this hillock which was surrounded by fire, hence the name of Agnigarh. Agnigarh provides a panoramic view of the great river and Tezpur. Recently Agnigarh has been developed as a beautiful park by district administration. It has a series of sculptures depicting the mythology ,open air stage, giant mushrooms and huge water fall

Padum Pukhuri

This is a beautiful lake with an island. The island has been developed into a beautiful park with a musical fountain. There is an iron bridge to take you to the island. On the lake one can boat.

District Museum at Dak Bungalow

Dak Bungalow is an old and beautiful British era building in heart of the town. Recently it has been renovated and now houses the District Museum.

Ouguri hill

Ouguri hill on bank of Brahmaputra river provides breath taking view of the mighty river and Tezpur town. There are huge rocks on the top of the hill which add to the beauty of the hill. These rocks provide facility for rock climbing. There is a giant statue of Kanaklata, legendary martyr of Quit India movement of 1942,on the top of the hill. Recently district administration started developing the hill in to a beautiful park.

Trimurty Udyan

This is a park along Borpukhuri. This has been named after the three jewels of Assamese culture: Rupkowar Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Natasurjya Phani Sarmah.

The Hazara Pukhuri

It is a large tank in name of Harjar Varman in Tezpur. It was excavated in the early part of the 9th century.

Bamuni Hills

The ruins of Bamuni Hills are famous for their exemplary artistic finesse. The sculptural remains date back to the ninth and tenth century A.D.

Da Parbatia

Ruins of the door frame of Da Parbatia temple, a few kilometres away from Tezpur, is perhaps the finest and oldest specimen of sculptural art in Assam. Its carving is characteristic of the early Gupta school of sculpture.

The ancient temple of Mahabhairab stands to the north of Tezpur town. This temple is believed to have been established by king Bana with a Siva lingam. Formerly, this temple was built of stone but the present one is built of concrete. During the later years, the Ahom kings donated devottar land for the Temple and Pujaris and Paiks were appointed to look after the temple. The responsibility of management was in the hands of a Bordoloi or Borthakur .But now the affairs of the temple is managed by the Government through a managing committee headed by Deputy Commissioner. Sivaratri is celebrated in the Temple in a big manner.

Haleswar

It is 10 km to the north of Tezpur, near Tezpur- Balipara main road. A linga was found by a cultivator ( Hallowa) while he was ploughing in the field. A temple was constructed initially on this linga. Later , the Ahom King Rudra Singha constructed the temple in 1705 AD.

Rudrapada Temple

To the east of Tezpur town, on the bank of river Brahmaputra the Rudrapada temple is situated. It is believed that Rudra ( Lord Shiva ) had left the print of his left foot (pada) on a stone found in the temple. It is believed that Mahadeva showed his real self to king Bana here. Rudrapada temple was later built by Siva Singha in the year 1730 A.D. The main temple was destroyed, due to erosion of river Brahmaputra.

Nine lines Inscription of Harjjar Varma

About 2 kms away from the heart of the town, close to the Rudrapada temple on the bank of river Brahmaputra the famous nine line inscription of Harjjar Varma (approximately – 815 – 834 AD) is seen. This inscription is of 829-30 A.D. This is found engraved on a stone. This inscription is archaeologically important.

Bhairabi Devalaya

Bhairabi temple is situated on a small hillock on the bank of river Brahmaputra. It is in the eastern side of Tezpur. Tradition has it that "Usha" the daughter of King Banasur, used to offer puja to the Goddess Bhairabi regularly. Bhairabi is another form of Durga.. The temple we see here now, is newly built. There is no sign of the old temple. It is believed to be destroyed by various natural calamities. Ruins of old temple are lying scattered around the temple.

Bhomoraguri

It is a mammoth stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora Borphukan, who planned to construct a bridge over Brahmaputra. Almost two centuries later, a bridge at the same site now stands completed. The 3.015 km bridge, named after the great Ahom general, connects Silghat of Nagaon district with Tezpur.

Wild Life Trail

Nameri National Park :

Some 40 km away from Tezpur, the 212 sq km sprawling Nameri National Park opens up. It is famous for Tiger, Elephant, rare species of birds and rare species of fish in Jia Bharali river.

Nameri provides a diverse flora and fauna. The most famous white winged wood-duck

(Deo Hanh) is found here. Besides these other animals found here are Black Bear, many types of deer’s, butterflies, fishes, elephants etc.

River Jiyabharali flows down through the Nameri National Park which provides wide vistas for adventure water sports like rafting and angling .

Bura Chapori Wild Life Sanctuary : 

Bura Chapari -an old sandbank turned permanent, faces the mighty river Brahmaputra and like the famousKaziranga National Park housed mammals, reptiles and birds and plays host to a host of migrants who can feed and move around here. Declared a reserved forest in 1974 it became a sanctuary in 1995 with all the protective and developing measures which follow in their wake. It is 40 km away from Tezpur Town.

It has an area of 44.6 sq. km. and forest type is of alluvial flood plains. Major part of the sanctuary is covered by grassland with patches of water bodies and woodland, strip of plantations created during the past has helped to create- barriers around the sanctuary. The mammalian species it harbours are Tiger, Elephant, Wild Buffalos, Hog Deer, Wild Boar besides bird species like Bengal Florican, Black Necked Stork, Open Billed Stork, White eyed Pochard, Millard, Spot Bill, Large Whistling Teal and many others

Outside Tezpur Town

Biswanath Ghat :

Beyond Biswanath Chariali at Biswanath Ghat, Biswanath temple popularly known as "Gupta Kashi is located at the confluence of Bridhaganga (Burigonga) river with Brahmaputra. The ghat has a cluster of temples of different gods. From the stone posts, beams and other ruins found there it is believed that once there was a stone temple. During the summer the temple remains under water. Only in winter worship is done by constructing temporary shed which draws lot of tourists. On the third day of Assamese Bihu festival a mela is held there. One can visit from here the island of Umatumuni, an archaeologically famous place.

For people visiting other archaeological sites of Biswanath and Gohpur area, Biswanath Chariali town provides the base.

It is around 80 km away from Tezpur town .

Tourist Taxis are available here . Accommodation, either in Govt. Circuit House, Tourist Lodge or in Hotels is also available. A tourist lodge at Biswanath Ghat is under construction .

Singri Temple:

The Singri Temple is towards west of Tezpur town and is located on the bank of river Brahmaputra, within a distance of about 45 km .This temple has been mentioned in the Kalikapuran as Shringatak.. It is said that one can attain penance worshipping it. As the Shiva Linga of this temple revered as God remains under water, the temple is also known as Gupteshwar. Derived from the word "Gupta" which means hidden and "Eshwar" denotes God.

A big mela organised on Sivaratri in the Temple draws number of devotees to Singri.

Nag-Sankar :

It is situated towards East of Tezpur in a place called Jamuguri . This Devalaya is said to be built by King Narasankar of Nagakha in the 4th century with Pratapgarh as its capital. This is a renowned place of pilgrimage.

The temple has a pond nearby where hundreds of the rare variety of Gangetic soft-shell turtle and peacock are found. Some of the turtles are even hundreds of years old. A rest house with modern amenities has recently been constructed by DRDA .