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 states 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 tourists 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

having a few natural hot spring and a wildlife sanctuary

15.
Majuli, a river island and important centers of Vaishnava
culture
16.
Sibsagar, the capital of Ahom kingdom having some of
the important historical monument sites of the state
17.
Jaysagar, a historic site known for Jaysagar tank and
temple
18.
Gaurisagar, a historic site
19.
Ajan Pir Dargah, known for the Dargah of Hajarat Ajan
Pir, the Muslim saint famous for his contribution to the
Assamese devotional songs, called Jikir and Jari
20.
Gargaon, the capital town of the Ahom kingdom, known
for its seven-storied palace
21.
Charaideo, the original capital of Ahoms, famous for
Maidams or burial vaults of the Ahom kings
22.
Dibrugarh, an important city of upper Assam and a
commercial, educational and administrative focal point
23.
Tinsukia, an important business center of eastern Assam
and a transit point for visitors to and having Dibru-Saikhowa
national park in its close proximity
24.
Digbai, known for its oil industry and a war cemetery of
World War II
25.
Haflong, the only hill station of Assam
26.
Jatinga, a nature site and ideal for bird watching
27.
Mahur, an ideal place for adventure activity and picnic
28.
Maibong, an ideal nature site having archaeological
remains of its Kachari king
29.
Umrangso, another attractive site for nature lovers and
picnickers
30.
Diphu, the district headquarters of Karbi Anglong and
potential site cultural and adventure tourism
31.
Silchar, an important center of economic, cultural and
administrative importance in the Barak plain having an
archaeological site at Khaspur
32.
Bhuban, a pilgrimage and nature site.
There is no doubt that the tourist destinations projected so far in
Assam have a lot to offer to the foreign and domestic tourists. But
only a few destinations have come up to attract attention of the
tourists so far. As travel restrictions like RAP were imposed on the
foreign tourists since 1962 to the later part of 1995, their movement
was restricted mainly to Guwahati and Kaziranga. Only local people
and excursionists visit these lesser-known destinations. Apart from
that tourist facilities and services are still restricted to only a few
destinations projected so far as centers of tourist attraction.
Prioritizing destinations for development
The attraction of a tourist destination is the outcome of interaction of
several elements: climatic condition, infrastructure facilities, attitude
of the host community and, above all the presence of something
interesting to see or to do by the tourists. An attempt has already
been made in Assam by Bhattacharya (2004) to assess and prioritize
59 potential destinations for tourism development by integrating

gauged in the light of five basic components, viz. importance,

accessibility, seasonality, popularity and fragility to ensure a need
based tourism development strategy. His assessment categorized all
possible tourist sites of the state into five categories (Table 1).
Table 1: Potential pockets for tourism development, Assam
The colorful life of the people, their traditional customs, festivals and
dances
are
the components of the rich cultural diversity
of
Category
ofsome of
Name
Total
the
state. Assam has the tradition of weaving which is rich also
pockets
among
the tribal people.
Assam
is also famous for its traditional1
Very high
Guwahati
South
sericulture
practices -muga endi, and pat silk, worm rearing and
potential area
weaving.
Sualkuchi
is one of the
worlds
largest
weaving
villages
High potential
Kaziranga,
Haflong,
Tezpur,
Majuli,
Mahur,
6
often
called
the
Manchester
of
the
East.
The
entire
population
here is
area
Hamren
engaged
in high
weaving
exquisite Diphu,
silk fabrics.
A renowned
centre of21
silk
Moderately
Umrangso,
N. Lakhimpur,
Dokmoka,
production,
particularly
known
for Muga
- the
golden
silk of Assam
potential
Orang,
Chandubi,
Hajo,
Mayang,
Sibsagar
which
is
not
produced
anywhere
else
in
the
world.
It
has
also the
area
Central, Biswanath, Sibsagar South,
tradition of folk and
classicalGarampani,
dance forms,
mask making,
Tinsukia,
Guwahati
North, puppetry,
wood and ivory curving,
bamboo
and cane
craft, etc.
Dibrugarh,
Sreesurya,
Bhuban
hill, Besides,
Digboi, various
forms of performing
art
of
Satra
institutions
like
bhawna,
Jatra,
Khetri, Kalaigaon, Bardowa
etc. are worth mentioning in this regard.
Moderately low
Chapanala, Gohpur, Akashiganga, Bhairab
23
Assam
is
also
rich
in
antiquity
assets
like
ruins
and
monuments.
The
potential
Kunda, Jorhat, Dhamaji, Manas,
existing
archaeological
ruins of Chakrachila,
Assam go as Silchar
far back
as Gupta period
area
Bhalukpung,
North,
(5th-6th century AD),
though
their
numbers
are
very
few. Ruins of
Silghat, Sibsagar North, Hawazan, Nalbari,
the Post- Gupta period
are also
to be foundBarpeta,
in different
parts of the
Lumding,
Tukreshawari,
Sadia,
state. Stylistically Numaligarh,
all the remains
belong to different
north Indian art
Pancharatna,
Gauripur,
traditions with local
influences.
There
are
as
many
as
12
Bagaribari, Dergaon
archaeological sites and about 25 major monuments dating back
from
71h to 17th century
ADDarranga, Bandardewa,
Low potential
Chaigaon,
8
area
Lawkhowa, Kokrajhar, Pathsala, Dhubri,
Table: Major archaeological
Rangapara ruins of Assam
Sl.
NameBhattacharya,
of the ruins 2004
District
Source:
1.
Da-parbatia
ruins
Heritage
and Culture

Sonitpur

Nearest
town
Tezpur

Period

5th - 6th Century

AD
2.
Goalpara
8th9th and
TheSuryapahar
colorful life ruins
of people, Goalpara
their traditional
customs,
festivals
3.
Madan
Kamdev
ruins
Kamrup
Guwahati
11th12th of
dances are some of the components of the rich cultural diversity
4.
ruins
Kamrup of weaving
Guwahati
11th12th

the Pandunath
state. Assam
has the tradition
which
is rich
also
5.
Colethe
park
ruins
Sonitpur
12th
among
tribal
people. Assam
is alsoTezpur
famous for7thits traditional
6.
Bamuni
Pahar
ruins
Sonitpur
Tezpur
11th and
sericulture practices -'muga' 'endi', and 'pat' silk, worm 12th
rearing
7.
SingariSualkuchi
ruins
Sonitpur
Dhekiajuli
10th- 12th

weaving.
is one of
the world's
largest weaving
villages
8.
Na-Nath
ruins
Nagaon
Hojai
7th8th

often called the Manchester of the East. The entire population here is
9.
Sankha
ruins
Nagaon
Hojai
10th-11th
engaged
in Devi
weaving
exquisite
silk fabrics.
A renowned
centre of silk
10.Abhayapuri
ruins
BongaigaonAbhayapuri
11thsilk
of Assam
production, particularly
known
for Muga - the golden
11.Borpukhuri
ruins
Nagaon
Hojai
10thwhich is not produced anywhere else in the world. It has11th
alsothe
12.Numaligarh
Golaghat
Bokakhat
12th puppetry,
tradition of folk ruins
and classical
dance forms,
mask making,
wood and ivory curving, bamboo and cane craft, etc. Besides, various
Source
Directorate
Assam
forms of:performing
artof
ofArchaeology.
'Satra' institutions
like 'bhawna', 'Jatra',
etc. are worth mentioning in this regard.
Satra
The
Institution
of Satra
is a unique
feature
of Vaishnavism
in Assam,
Assam
is also rich
in antiquity
assets
like ruins
and monuments.
The
founded
by
Sankardeva,
the
father
of
Assamese
culture.
Satras
are
existing archaeological ruins of Assam go as far back as Gupta period
basically
monasteries
propogate
neoVaishnavism.
They
also
(5th-6th century
AD), which
though
their numbers
are very few.
Ruins
of
became
centres
for
education
and
dissemination
of
the
art
of
the Post- Gupta period are also to be found in different parts of the

Majuli.
Sincewith
thenlocal
sixtyinfluences.
five SatrasThere
have are
come
for the
propagation
art tradition
as up
many
as 12
of
ethics
and
socio-cultural
ideals.
However,
at
present
there
are only
archaeological sites (Table 13. 4) aITd about 25 major monuments
twenty
two Satras
in Majuli.
others
had
to be shifted to safer
dating back
from 71h
to 17thThe
century
AD
(Table).
places due to the devastation of flood and erosion.
Table:
The main existing Satras are:
Major archaeological ruins of Assam
Dakhinpat
Founded by Banamalidev, an exponent of Raasleela,
Satra:
is now
observed as
one oftownPeriod
the National Festivals
Sl. Name of which
the ruins
District
Nearest
of
Assam.
During
Rasotsava
several
thousand devotees
No.
visit these holy
Satras every
year. 5 th - 6 th Century
1.
Sonitpur
Tezpur
Da-parbatia
Garamurh
Founded by Lakshmikantadeva. During the end of
AD
Satra:ruins Autumn, traditional Raasleela (co-acting) is shown with
2.
Goalpara
8 th- 9
th
great enthusiasm.
SomeGoalpara
ancient weapons
called
Suryapahar
(canons) are preserved here.
ruins Bortop
Auniati
Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the Satra is famous
3.
Kamrup
Guwahati
11 th- 12
Satra:Madanfor Paalnaam and Apsara Dance and also its
th
considerable
Kamdev
ruins collection of Assamese old utensils,
jewellery and
handicrafts.
4.
Kamrup
Guwahati
11 th- 12
Pandunath
Kamalabari Founded by Bedulapadma, it is a centre
th of art, cultural,
Satra:ruins literature and classical studies. Its branch, Uttar
5.
Tezpur
th- 12Art
th in
KamalabariSonitpur
Satra, has showcased
the7Satria
Cole park
ruins several states of India and abroad.
Bengenaati It is a storehouse of antiques of cultural importance
6.
Sonitpur
Tezpur
11 th- 12
Pahar
Satra:Bamuni
and
an advance centre of performing art. Muraridev,
th
ruins the grand son of Sankardevas step mother founded
Satra. Sonitpur
The royal robes
belonging10
to ththe 12
Ahom
7.
Dhekiajuli
king
Singarithis
ruins
Swargadeo Gadadhar Singha, made of
th gold and an
golden umbrella
are preserved
Nagaon
Hojai here. 7 th- 8 th
8. Na-Nath
Shamaguri
The satra is home to famous Mask crafts.
Satra:ruins
9.
Nagaon of the
Hojai
10 th-11Saint

Batadrawa
is the birthplace
greatest Vaishnava
SankhaIt Devi
th
Satra:
Sankardev,a Shrine and a centre
of Vaishnava
ruins Srimanta
art and culture. It is about 140 kms. from Guwahati
10. Abhayapuri
Bongaigaon Abhayapuri 11 th

and about 15 kms. from Nagaon town.

Barpeta
Satra This famous Shrine and Kirtanghara attracts
ruins
and
Vaishanavas
from all over
India. It was
11. Borpukhuri
Nagaon
Hojai
10 established
th- 11 by
Kirtanghar: Madhadeva the greatest discipleof Shankardeva.
th

ruins
12.
Golaghat
Bokakhat
12 th

MajorNumaligarh
Festivals
Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated
ruins
in Assam have their roots in the diverse faith and belief of her
inhabitants, but a spirit of accommodation and togetherness
Source : Directoricate of Archaeology. Assam
characterizes the celebration of all festivals. The perfect fusion of
heritage of her numerous races has made Assam the home of the
Table
most colorful festivals which are passionate, compelling and
mesmerizing reflecting the true spirit, tradition and lifestlye of the
Major historical monuments of Assam
people of Assam. The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu,
Baishagu, Ali-Ai-Ligang, Baikho, Rongker, Rajini Gabra Harni Gabra,
Sl.
Name of
District
Nearest town Period
Bohaggiyo Bishu, Ambubashi Mela and Jonbill Mela and so on.
No.
monument
Dibrugarh Dibrugarh
18 th cent.
1.
Raidongia
Dol
Arts and
Crafts
AD
The people of Assam have traditionally been craftsmen from time
Dibrugarh
18 th cent.
2.
BezorThough
Dol Assam isDibrugarh
immemorial.
mostly known for its exquisite silks
AD
and the bamboo and cane products, several other crafts are also