Undivided SIVASAGAR
Sivasagar is a house of wonderful architectural, archaeological, engineering skills which are reflected in numerous temples, palaces, tanks, stone bridges and pyramid-type Maidams.
The Ahom Kingdom had its capitals at several places beginning with Charaideo, built by Suikafa. The other capitals included Charagua, Dihing, Che- hung (Garhgaon), Che-mun (Rangpur) and Dichoi-Jorhat. From 1699 AD to 1788 AD, Rangpur was the capital of Ahom Kingdom and several monuments were built during this period which are now major Tourist attractions.
…one place, many destinations
Located at the heart of the town , it is the most remarkable landscape of the town with the trio of Shivadol, Vishnudol and Devidol (temples) are located on the bank of the Sivasagar Tank. One of tallest Shiva temple in the country, the Shivadol was built by Queen Phuleswari in 1734.
This first Amphitheatre in Asia was constructed by Swargadeo Pramatta Singha (1744-1751) in the 18th century and served as pavilion from where Royals and dignitaries watched various sports and games.
A seven storied palace having three storeys underground known as Talatal Ghar and upper storeys known as Kareng Ghar is the largest of all Tai- Ahom monuments was built in the reign of Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha. It was the seat of Royal Court cum administrative offices as well as strategic military headquarters of Ahom Kingdom.
The biggest man made tank in Asia, Joysagar Tank is an example of human excellence; encompassing an area of about 318 acres, it was built by Swargadeo Rudra Singha with three temples viz. Joydol, Shivadol and Vishnudol on its bank.
Joysagar
Also known as Gargaon Palace, it is located at Gargaon and is one of the grandest examples of Ahom architecture. The original palace was made of wood and stone but was rebuilt in 1752 and has seven storeys.
The Shivadol at Na-Pukhuri or Rudrasagar in Sivasagar is a great architectural piece of Ahom era, built during the reign of Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha in 1773.
Covering 400 bighas of land, the Gaurisagar Tank was constructed by Queen Phuleswari with three temples on its north bank. Devidol is decorated with numerous sand stone sculptures and the tank has become a favourite place for migratory birds during winter..
With an area of 33.93 sq km, Panidehing Bird sanctuary lies between the River Brahmaputra and Desang at a distance of 12 kms from Sivasagar. The Eco- system of this bird sanctuary is flood plain one comprising mainly grassland and some water bodies and some seasonal streams crisscrossing the entire topography. More than 267 birds species have been identified .
The Bridge, a cut out from a single solid rock over the Namdang River, about 12 kms from the Sivasagar town was constructed by workmen brought from the Bengal during the reign of Swargadeo Rudra Singha in 1703. It is a strong bridge of 60 meters in length and 6.5 meter in breadth. It has six culverts of which five could be seen below. Bearing thousands of traffic as the Assam Trunk Road (National Highway 37) passes over this bridge is certainly a wonder of engineering technology of that period.
Situated at a distance of 30 km east of Sivasagar, the Maidams are the burial mounds of the Ahom Kings, Queens and Nobles. The word maidam is derived from the Tai word Phrang Mai-Dam or Mai-tam. Phrang means to put into the grave or bury and dam means the spirit of death.
from known to The other side of Sivasagar
Ghanashyam was the famous architect of Karengghar during the reign of Rajeswar Singha. The uniqueness of this structure is the mix of both Hindu & Islam religions in its architecture. The monument is famous for its design and terracotta works.
There is a local belief that this architecture is a Maidam or burial mound of Jaymati, the patriotic queen of Swargadew Gadadhar Singha. Built by King Rudra Singha in 1703-04 AD, this unique monument has an octagonal shaped plinth with eight angshikharas at the base and four stairways in each of the four directions leading to the top where a shrine was erected.
Ramkhapeeth Devalay at Dikhowmukh still bears the traditions of Royal celebration of Durga Puja during the Ahom period. Legend has it that a part of the body of Sati Parvati felt on the spot where Ramkhapith Devaloy stands today, after it was cut into pieces by Lord Bishnu to neutralise the rage of Lord Siva. The early inhabitants of this land were believed to offer prayers to the Goddess before Ahom king Lakshmi Singha (1769-1780) built the “Peeth” and patronized the worship of Devi Sati.
The devotees also have a deep-rooted faith in worship of Shakti Ramkhapeeth and claimed to have similarities with the Kamakhya temple. The existence of many sculptures, stones and equipment of the Ahom period at this temple also attract many tourists as they have historical and archaeological significance.
A Sufi Syed, poet, Muslim preacher and saint of 17th Century, Azan Fakir or Shah Miran came from Baghdad to Sivasagar, where he helped to unify the people of this valley and to reform, reinforce and stabilize Islam in the region of Assam. His dargah is at Saraguri Chapori on the bank of Brahmaputra is about 22 kms from Sivasagar.
English name Divine Jasmine (Tamilnadia uliginosa), popularly known as Bakhar Bengena in Assamese, and is scientifically estimated more than 580 years old. This is located at Bokota in Sivasagar district. Probably it is the oldest living Devine Jasmine tree and become a legendary tree for the locals. It is a small rigid deciduous tree, with numerous strong thorns. Flowers are white, scented, attractive and fruits are about 2 inches by diameter.
Assam has a long tradition of mask-making, which is thriving mainly because of the conscious efforts of some experienced artists who have been engaged in this craft for decades. The mask museum at Khatpar Satra of Sivasagar gives a wholesome view of the practice of mask making. The Satradhikar of the Satra Shri Reba Kanta Mahanta has been propagating mask-making in this part of the country is a living legend.
It has been disseminating the teaching and preachings of Vaishnavite Mahapurush Sri Sri Shankardev, including preservation of ancient manuscripts, Taal, Khol, Doba. It has been the old school institution of Ankiya Naat (Bhaona), satriya culture etc.
Nityananda Dev was the grandson of Sri Sri Anurudhha Dev and was the fourth Satradhikar of Mayamara Satra. “Thaan”, in Assamese means the sacred place for last rites of Saint, and the present place where the Thaan is, blelieved to be the funeral ground of Sri Sri Nitya Nanda Dev, who was trapped in a conspiracy and killed at Kujibalighat of Dikhow River. His body was taken by one of his disciples and interment at that place secretly. Later the king came to know about it and with the people of mayamara community the Thaan was established.
Situated at the meeting point of river Desang and mighty Brahmaputra River, Desangmukh is blessed with amidst natural beauty. Located at a distance of 10 kms from Sivasagar, one can also experience Mishing- Tribal Village as well Ligiribari handloom Village.
Jagaddhatri Dol or Barpatra Dol is built by Harinath Barpatra, brother of Queen Phuleswari on the bank of Lakhisagar Tank is one of the beautiful monuments with attractive sculpture.
in 1703 Swargadeo Rudra Singha built the Rangnath Dol, a Shiva temple near the Borduar or main gateway on way from the Joysagar tank to the Talatal Ghar to offer prayer to Lord Shiva. Large number of devotees continue to visit and offer puja in this temple.
This monument was built during the reign of Ahom King Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha in a small do-chala sructure, profusely ornamented with floral design . The walls are designed like wooded panels and posts like wooden posts of Assam type houses.
It bears the glorious past history of King Gadadhar Singha. Thow means rows of houses and ra means people of Chutia clan. Here the king established these people who were expert in gold and silver works. Located at a distance of 10 kms from Sivasagar, this temple was constructed by Alon Burha Dehingia Barborua in between 1683 and 1685.
Central Baptist Church is the oldest church in North East India. It was established in the year 1845 by American Baptist Missionaries. Rev. Nathan Brown was the first pastor of this historical church. With him were associated Rev. Miles Bronson, Oliver Cutter and William Ward who collectively brought about the rebirth of the Assamese language during the British rule by publishing Arunodoy, the first newspaper in Assamese in 1846.
Cholapathar Shyam village is also one of the largest and oldest Tai-khamyang villages in North East India which came into existence in the very early part of 1869 AD. The name Cholapathar derives from two Tai words- Su (Tiger) and La (Valley) suggesting valley of the tigers. All of the inhabitants of the village are Buddhist and established the first Buddha Vihar (Kyong) in 1870, but the present Buddha Vihar was established in 1948. Festivals like Poi-Pee-Mou (New year celebration), Poi-changken, Mai-ko-chum-phai, Buddha Purnima etc are celebrated by the villagers as per the indigenous calendar of the community.
Dominated by the Shyam or Tai Khamyang people established Desangpani village in the year 1836. As years passed by, the villagers gradually constructed a permanent Desangpani Buddhist temple in 1936. Completed in 1946, the temple was dedicated to the entire community. In 1950, the burial ashes of the main disciple of Lord Buddha, SariPutta Maha Mangalion had been brought to Desangpani in aid of Sodou Asom Buddha Mahatsabha. This invited a lot of followers to offer respect to the devout disciple of Lord Buddha. Today, the place is of great religious importance and attracts tourists from different parts of the globe.
The waterway of river Dikhow, along with that of Jhanji, and Dihing, was used for transportation of goods during British days. In the year 1935, a vertical lift bridge was constructed on Dikhow in Sivasagar which had the facility to lift a portion of the bridge to allow the ships to cross.
Preserving the past...
Situated at the west bank of the historic Sivasagar tank, this Tai Museum is the only of its kind. Looked after by the Department of Cultural Affairs, this museum was opened in 1992 for the visitors. The exhibits of the museum are basically related to Ahom history, Art and Craft, sculptures etc. Main categories are wood, stone, metal, terracotta and fabrics. Some of the collections displayed here are the different utensils made of copper, ivory, silver, bell metal etc, weapons like Cannons, Swords, Rhino Skin Shield, gun powder ball etc, Old Assamese ornaments and Silver Coins, Manuscripts and Traditional dresses etc. Moreover, replicas of historic Saraighat war, the Royal Court (Rajxobha), Charaideo Maidam are displayed here beautifully.
Uttaran Museum is a superlative example of the endeavour of a single person in entire North-East India. This museum is situated at Paharadar Ali, the entrance towards historic Kareng Ghar at Joysagar in Sivasagar. Mr. Durlov Bora single-handedly took all the pain to construct the museum and collect all the valuable and priceless artefacts and other remnants of the glorious Ahom regime and infused life into this unique museum. This museum is indeed a wonder of our time.
The District of Sivasagar is pregnant with hundred-thousands of art forms belonging to the cultures of various ethnic groups of the district. In modern day Sivasagar, there are many artists, sculptors and photographers of national and international fame. Considering the mammoth potential of the art forms exhibitions have already been held from time to time.
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