Northeast Diaries E02: Jorhat – A cultural and a tea treasure house.
Acquiring an augmented position in the socio-cultural background of the state of Assam, the town of Jorhat is rich in numerous instances of acclamation and greatness. Also referred as the Cultural Capital of Assam, Knowledge City and the Tea Capital of Assam; Jorhat is home to many episodes of Assam’s lustrous history. An academic hub to the state, this place is a solace for many R&D and educational institutes. Also the world’s oldest Tea Experimental Station – Tocklai Tea Research Institute is in Jorhat. Leaving behind Tocklai, premier institutes of research such as the C.S.I.R. – North East Institute of Science & Technology, Rain Forest Research Institute and the Assam Agricultural University is based on Jorhat. Hometown to many noted artists, poets, writers and people of the scientific community; the Jorhat city has indeed something to tell the tourists and reflect its transcendence.
The sprawling tea gardens here gives the simple natural charm to the city and shape up the tourist attraction. Apart from the picturesque tea plantations surrounding for miles of distance, this place holds an ancient heritage and along with it many sightseeing options far and near winning the hearts of the tourists visiting here. Also this land assists the visiting lots with the luxurious inns and hotels serving them with the delicacy of Assamese cuisines. Enriched with great culture and heritage; and having options for visiting other nearby places of interests Jorhat shall be a great choice for your tour trip to Assam. With the exuberance of green vegetation, paddy fields tree lined hills and streams of running water on both the sides of the road; your journey to Jorhat shall forever remain unforgettable.
With the Sivasagar (Sibsagar) city, Kaziranga National Park and the Majuli Island surrounding the city will definitely fulfill your vacation at this city of Assam. Looking into the details of the Jorhat City these below mentioned scenic spots must surely be paid a visit. And if you are seriously looking into paying a visit here, make sure you note
it down before you start forgetting the unusual names of these places of attraction:
- Jorhat Gymkhana Club
Listed among the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO, the Jorhat Gymkhana Club is valued as the world’s third oldest golf course and Asia’s oldest golf club. Home to the unique tradition of Pony races, the Gymkhana Club organizes the annual Governors Cup (also known the Jorhat Race) in the months of January-February grabbing the hearts of the visitors and the local audience and improving the heights of the city tourism. Started as a recreational and meeting spot for the tea-planters back then in the time of the British era, the Club now has sophisticated facilities of Golf, Billiards, Lawn Tennis and Horse Racing. Also the inclusion of the modern swimming pool, theatre hall and polo ground, makes the club a very enjoyable destination for your spare time. Also hosting the Tea Tourism Festival of Assam in between November and January, the Jorhat Gymkhana Club is one of the most visited tourist spots of the Jorhat city
- Cinnamara Tea Estate:
The Heritage Bungalow
Set up by India’s first commercial tea planter Maniram Dewan, the heritage bungalow of Mr. Dewan’s and his surrounding tea plantations has an enchanting charm exclusively for the incoming tourists. Owned by the Assam Tea Corporation Limited, the premises of this tea estate also has the graveyard of Maniram Dewan who died fighting for the nation’s freedom struggle against the British. The heritage bungalow here was face-lifted to accommodate a comfortable stay for the tourists.
Cinnamara Tea Garden
- Thengal Manor:
Giving you the vibes of the colonial days, the majestic mansion bestows you with the unique pleasure of living amidst the lap of nature. Déjà vu shall pervade you when you shall realize that this very masterpiece was home to an Indian businessman. If you look around the homes outside the boundary of this regal house, you shall see the metal artisans and weavers whose elegant skills won’t be seen beyond this village. From this mansion itself the first Assamese daily newspaper Dainik Batori was launched back in 12th August 1935.
Golden Langur in Gibbon Sanctuary
Fragmented and surrounded by the neighboring tea gardens and the rural homes, the wildlife sanctuary spread across the south-east part of the Jorhat district. Stuffed with a rich biodiversity the sanctuary is home for many prominent species of flora and fauna. Although open throughout the year for the tourists, the period from June-July and February –March is the best time to witness the spectacular views of the residents of this natural abode. Though it will be good in your part to get in touch with the local officials for the best possible time.
Monkey corridor enables monkeys to pass over without any disturbances from the railway line.
- Nimati Ghat:
Ferry setting sail in the mighty Brahmaputra
An important sea-port for the state, the Nimati Ghat is the vital link between the world’s largest river island Majuli with the rest of the world. From this port, ferries carry passengers to the other side of the land (Majuli) going either to Kamalabari or Auniati. The coconut and the betel nut trees along the shoreline and villages nearby Nimati Ghat gives you a defining moment to interact with the nature.
Busy crowd in the Kamalabari Ghat of Majuli
- Lachit Borphukan Maidam & Museum:
The statue of Lachit Borphukan
Located at the outskirts of the Jorhat city, the maidam holds the dead remains of the great Ahom General who defeated the mighty Mughals at the Battle of Saraighat and prevented the foreign invasion. Adding glitter to the pride, the Northeast region was few of the places that was untouched from any foreign hands until the advent of the British rule. The place here has the burial tomb of Lachit Borphukan and a museum which displays the artifacts of the Ahom dynasty that ruled over the Upper Assam. Many weapons and other elements of necessity used by Lachit Borphukan has been put up on display for the tourists.
Lachit Borphukan Museum
- Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar:
Entrance of the Namghar.
A noted place of worship for the Vaishnavites (Baishnavites), the Dekhikhowa Namghar was established by saint-reformer Madhabdev in the year 1461 and is an important centre for the nourishment of the Vaishnav culture imparted by the great saint Srimanta Sankardeva. 556 years old now, this namghar has been an integral part of imparting the unity of the Assamese people. From the donations and support received from the devotees the managing crew of the namghar organizes a host of socio-cultural events throughout the year.
Cultural programs underway.
- Sukapha Samannay Kshetra:
The statue of Chaolung Sukapha erected at the centre of the Sammanay Kshetra.
A latest addition to the city’s tourism chart, the Sukapha Sammanay Kshetra is a cultural complex that has been built to showcase the world of the great Assam state built by the founder of the Ahom clan Chaolung Sukapha. Imparting the thoughts of unity and integrity among the ethnic people of Assam, this place stands as a symbol for promoting secularism and intolerance among all the caste, community and religion. Situated just besides the NH-37 and the constructions going in full-swing, the campus has a large auditorium hall and a statue of Sukapha being erected at the centre of Sammanay Kshetra.
Though under construction visitors have already started pouring in
- Kaziranga Golf Resort:
The Bura Sahib Bungalow.
Built by noted tea industrialist Bharat Ratna Hemendra Prasad Barooah, the Kaziranga Golf Resort is a fascination vacation destination for you amidst the green belt of tea plants covering you up all around. Designed in a way to blend in the colonial tea environment of the British era, the resort is a first choice option for the corporation elites and also an ideal accommodation for the tourists. Offering you with state-of-art environment to stay and enjoy the resort has superior cottage rooms and a presidential suite for the guests. A suitable golf course for the pros, the course was designed by renowned golf course architect Mr. Ranjit Nanda. The course has been able to challenge the golfers in all sorts of skills they possess.
Hole 15 Par 5 of the golf resort.
