The Tourism Sector of Assam

The tourism sector, which was initiated here as back as 1958, is still in a fledgling stage and as an industry it is of recent origin in Assam. Although many people had visited the state for various purposes in the past, especially for business and religious activities, such movement does not come under the purview of tourism. Kamakhya has always been an important centre to attract pilgrims from different parts of India. However, when the British declared Kaziranga a game reserve in 1916 and wildlife sanctuary in 1950, Assam was projected as an attractive destination for tourists, particularly those who are interested in nature and wildlife observation. In response to this at least some people from inside and outside the state started visiting Kaziranga and also the Kamakhya temple in the later part of 1930s which may be considered to be the humble beginning of modern tourism in the state (Bhattacharya, 2004). Since then significant changes have taken place in the state’s tourism sector because of the various efforts made by the central and the state government in this direction. The contemporary status of tourism in Assam is thus quite significant and needs to be examined to from various perspectives of tourism development.

Efforts have been made to identify and develop tourist spot and to classify them as per availability of tourist resources.

On the basis of the available tourist resources in the state, the department has categorized tourism as follows: wildlife tourism, cultural tourism, pilgrimage tourism, adventure tourism and tea tourism. Pilgrimage and wildlife categories still continue to attract the domestic and foreign tourists. The sakti peeth Kamakhya and Kaziranga National Park still constitute the most attractive points for both domestic and foreign tourists. Though the concept of cultural tourism is comparatively old, which encompasses people and their culture; it has not been duly projected for tourism development. Adventure and tea tourism are the two areas, which have been very recently adopted by the tourism department for development.

So far the Department of Tourism has identified as many as 31 sites of tourist’s interest (Fig.1). However, tourist infrastructures are quite limited and confined to certain sites only. The sites are:

1. Gauhati and its surrounding, covering spots like Kamakhya temple, Umananda, Sukreswar temples, Basisthashram, Nabagraha temple, State Zoo, State Museum, Gandhi Mandap and Some comparatively recent attractions like the planetarium, Gita mandir, Balaji temple and Sankar Dev Kalakhetra developed within the city environment

2. Sualkuchi, the most important center of indigenous Assamese silk industry

3. Hajo, the unique meeting place of Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism and also known for its historic monuments, bell metal and brass products prepared by local artisans

4. Chandubi, a nature spot and known for its lake (dubi) and an ideal picnic spot

5. Pabitara, a small wildlife sanctuary having more rhino density than that of kaziranga

6. Madan Kamdev, an important archaeological site 7. Manas, a world heritage site and only tiger reserve in Assam 8. Barpeta, known for its Vaishnav monastery and craft 9. Tezpur, one of the beautiful towns of the Brahmaputra valley,

possesses a number of archaeological sites, pilgrimage and scenic spots in an around it

10. Bhalukpung, basically a nature and adventure site and known for Nameri national park

11. Orang national park, having third highest population of Asiatic one-horned rhinoceros

12. Bardowa, the celebrated place of pilgrimage possesses some of the relics associated with the life and works of the saint Sri Sankardeva

13. Kaziranga, well known for its national park and the important tourist destinations of central Assam

14. Garampani, the promising tourist destination of the state having a few natural hot spring and a wildlife sanctuary

15. Majuli, a river island and important centers of Vaishnava

The colorful life of the people, their traditional customs, festivals and dances are some of the components of the rich cultural diversity of the state. Assam has the tradition of weaving which is rich also among the tribal people. Assam is also famous for its traditional sericulture practices -‘muga’ ‘endi’, and ‘pat’ silk, worm rearing and weaving. Sualkuchi is one of the world’s largest weaving villages often called the Manchester of the East. The entire population here is engaged in weaving exquisite silk fabrics. A renowned centre of silk production, particularly known for Muga - the golden silk of Assam which is not produced anywhere else in the world. It has also the tradition of folk and classical dance forms, mask making, puppetry, wood and ivory curving, bamboo and cane craft, etc. Besides, various forms of performing art of ‘Satra’ institutions like ‘bhawna’, ‘Jatra’, etc. are worth mentioning in this regard.

Assam is also rich in antiquity assets like ruins and monuments. The existing archaeological ruins of Assam go as far back as Gupta period (5th-6th century AD), though their numbers are very few. Ruins of the Post- Gupta period are also to be found in different parts of the state. Stylistically all the remains belong to different north Indian art traditions with local influences. There are as many as 12 archaeological sites and about 25 major monuments dating back from 71h to 17th century AD

Table: Major archaeological ruins of Assam

Sl. Name of the ruins District Nearest town

Period

1. Da-parbatia ruins Sonitpur Tezpur 5th - 6th Century AD

2. Suryapahar ruins Goalpara Goalpara 8th- 9th ” 3. Madan Kamdev ruins Kamrup Guwahati 11th- 12th ” 4. Pandunath ruins Kamrup Guwahati 11th- 12th ” 5. Cole park ruins Sonitpur Tezpur 7th- 12th ” 6. Bamuni Pahar ruins Sonitpur Tezpur 11th- 12th ” 7. Singari ruins Sonitpur Dhekiajuli 10th- 12th ” 8. Na-Nath ruins Nagaon Hojai 7th- 8th ” 9. Sankha Devi ruins Nagaon Hojai 10th-11th ” 10. Abhayapuri ruins Bongaigao

n Abhayapuri 11th ”

11. Borpukhuri ruins Nagaon Hojai 10th- 11th ” 12. Numaligarh ruins Golaghat Bokakhat 12th ”

Source : Directorate of Archaeology. Assam

Satra The Institution of Satra is a unique feature of Vaishnavism in Assam, founded by Sankardeva, the father of Assamese culture. Satras are basically monasteries which propogate neoVaishnavism. They also became centres for education and dissemination of the art of harmonius living. In the 15th century the first Satra was founded in Majuli. Since then sixty five Satras have come up for the propagation

The colorful life of the people, their traditional customs, festivals and dances are some of the components of the rich cultural diversity of the state. Assam has the tradition of weaving which is rich also among the tribal people. Assam is also famous for its traditional sericulture practices -‘muga’ ‘endi’, and ‘pat’ silk, worm rearing and weaving. Sualkuchi is one of the world’s largest weaving villages often called the Manchester of the East. The entire population here is engaged in weaving exquisite silk fabrics. A renowned centre of silk production, particularly known for Muga - the golden silk of Assam which is not produced anywhere else in the world. It has also the tradition of folk and classical dance forms, mask making, puppetry, wood and ivory curving, bamboo and cane craft, etc. Besides, various forms of performing art of ‘Satra’ institutions like ‘bhawna’, ‘Jatra’, etc. are worth mentioning in this regard.