Tinsukia

A view of the Tinikunia Pukhuri

Tinsukia is a small town and municipal board in Tinsukia district, Assam, India. Tinsukia is a regional business hub in the Indian state of Assam. It is situated 480 kilometres (298 mi) north east of Guwahati and 84 kilometres (52 mi) kilometres away from the border with Arunachal Pradesh.

It is the administrative headquarters of Tinsukia District of Assam, India. Hailed as the business capital of Assam, the place has a heady mix of Assamese, and Hindi- speaking people. The city is changing with the construction of numerous new malls and buildings.

Tinsukia is an industrial and commercial centre of Assam dealing in agricultural products such as tea, oranges, ginger, citrus fruits and paddy. Tinsukia also serves as the rail-head of Assam, housing the state's largest railway junction and is also a junction connecting the state and the country by road and rail.

Past History

Tinsukia is the site of Bengmara, which was originally known as Changmai Pathar. It was the capital city of the Muttack Kingdom which was fouded by Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha.

Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha was known as Mezara, who rose to become an able administrator. Mezara adopted the name Sarbananda Singha after become the King. Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha introduced coins after his name and in Saka 1716 and 1717, he inscribed the title Swargadeo in the coins.

As instructed by Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha, his Minister Gopinath Barbaruah alies Godha dug a pond in triangular shaped which is known as Tinikunia Pukhuri. In 1884 a station was constructed near this pond, when the Dibru-Sadiya Rail line was laid, which was named as Tinsukia. Ever since then the City was popularly known as Tinsukia.


Transport Communication

ASTC Bus Stand, Tinsukia

Tinsukia is well connected by air, national highway and railway. It is only 492 km by road from Guwahati, the state capital of Assam. The nearest airport is at Mohanbari, Dibrugarh which is about 40 km from Tinsukia with daily connection with Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata. Tinsukia town is very well connected by railway. It falls under Northeast Frontier Railway of Indian Railways. Many important trains like Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express, Brahmaputra Mail, Kamrup Express, Kamakhya - Ledo Inter City Express etc. run through New Tinsukia railway station. Local transportation is facilitated by Auto Rickshaws, Trackers, Rickshaws being the primary mode of transportation.

NTSK Railway Junction

What to see in Tinsukia

The Dibru Saikhowa National Park situated adjacent to the city is a National Park of India and is considered an important Biodiversity Hotspot in India. The Brahmaputra at the northern border and the Dibru river at the southern, the park is an island which houses feral horses, endangered White-winged Wood duck, the Hoolock Gibbon among varied flora and fauna. Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary is at a distance of about 6 km from Tinsukia. It is famous for different species of primates including endangered Hoolock Gibbon. Maguri Beel is an another important spot for nature lovers. It is a hotspot for birdwatcher.

A Panoramic view of Shiv Dham

The Shiv Dham is a big temple of Lord Shiva with a pond in the middle. The Tilinga Mandir (bell temple), located at Bordubi, about 9 kilometer from Tinsukia, is another famous Shiva temple. This temple is known for its numerous bells (tilinga) tied on the branches of a giant peepal tree by devotees whose wishes made at this temple have been fulfilled. The area also has many Tea Estates. Marut Nandan Kanan Park is also an important place of attraction for visitors.

Devotees tying Red Stings

Some important places in Tinsukia

• The Railway Heritage Museum of North East India is at Tinsukia.
• The Dibru Saikhowa National Park is a biological hotspot of India.
• The largest Railway Junction in Assam is at Tinsukia
• Asia's oldest oil-refinery, The Digboi Refinery is located a few kilometers from the city of Tinsukia at Digboi.
• The incredible Hindu Temple, The Bell Temple or Tilinga Mandir is at Tinsukia
• The Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary, which is about a distance of 6 km.
• The start point of the historical Stilwell Road, also known as Ledo Road, is connected.