Day 119 - Dispur

Dispur is the capital city of the state of Assam, which is situated on the outskirts of the city of Guwahati. Dispur City became the state's capital after the former capital, Shillong, left the union to become the capital of Meghalaya. The city of Dispur is known for the natural beauty of the Brahmaputra River, on whose bank it is situated; and is a place that people visit to observe the way of life of the nearby tribals who remain cut off  from the rest of society.


How to reach here:

By Air: Guwahati international airport is the main airport which is 18 km east of the city center.

By Rail: Guwahati railway station is the major rail head  which is also the headquarters of the North-East Frontier Railway.


Best time to visit: Throughout the year.


Languages spoken: Assamese, Bengali, Hindi.


Must eat: Khar, Tenga, Tamol.


Famous Restaurants: JB's.


Places you must visit: 

Sualkuchi  is famous for  the production of silk and Assam’s specialty, Muga, which is a  golden variety of silk, that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It is located about 24 km from the town of Guwahati and is particularly famous for this Muga silk.





Pandu is located on the southern bank of Brahmaputra River, in the western part of Guwahati; Pandu acted as the entry point to Guwahati during the period of early 1960’s, prior to the building of the Saraighat Bridge.



The Kamakhya Temple, that is considered one of the Shakti Peethams in India, is located on top of Neelachal Hill. This spot is the highest point of this city and draws good crowds, especially during the time of the Ambubachi festival. It is highly regarded by the followers of the ShaktiShakta sect and is linked with the legendary mother Goddess who is known to have killed Narakasur, the demon king, who supposedly, was the ruler of ancient Assam. It is also associated with the legend of Daksha Yagna and Shiva. Legend has it that Kamakhya came into existence when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati, and her "yoni" (female genitalia) fell to the ground at the spot where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Down a flight of steps to the bowel of earth, is located a dark, mysterious chamber. Here, draped with a silk sari and covered with flowers, is kept the "matra yoni". At Kamakhya, tantrik Hinduism has been nurtured by generations of tantrik priests down the centuries.Every year, on the seventh day of Ashaad , it is said that the pool containing the uterus turns red for three days.While there is no scientific backing to the event ( many believe that lots of vermilion powder is poured into the water, which then turns red). The holy water is distributed by the priests among the pilgrims.









The Uma Nanda Temple that dates back to the 17th century is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on a river island. King Gadapani of Ahom constructed this temple on the small yet scenic Brahmaputra isle that is also known by the name of Peacock Island. This island acts as a sanctuary to the endangered golden langurs.. As this island is not  frequented much by people, these species live here peacefully and are in larger numbers than their last home that was Manas National Park. Another attraction in this island, which is quite small and can be covered by foot, is the Ganesh Temple.







Tourists interested in learning about the culture and life of the Assamese people, their various tribal groups and the sub-groups; can visit the Srimanta Shakardeva Kalashetra that is located on the Panjabari Road. This center not only captures the essence of the state but also the essence of the spirit of Srimanta Sankaradeva, who was a great seer from the 15th century. He is known to be one of the most important integrators of the Indian society and also a major unifier of Assam, who had popularized the idea of unity amidst diversity, preached about universal brotherhood of man and sang the Bharata-Varsha song. This institute targets at developing, promoting, researching, preserving and restoring the vivid cultural heritage of various communities residing in Assam.











The pilgrimage spot of Vashistha Ashram is located  at the confluence of the three rivers: Sandhya, Kanta and Lalita. According to legend, these three rivers were named after the wives of Vashistha Sage, who is known to have established this ashram.







Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens that is situated on the RGB Road that is popularly known as the Zoo Road. This Zoo is home to animals like white tiger, leopards, African as well as Indian rhinos; and various rare species of birds that are only found in North-East India.







Close to the Shukaleswar Ghat of the Brahmaputra River, the Janardana Temple is located atop the hillock of Shukaleswar.The unique feature of this temple is the delicate mix of the architectural styles of Buddhists and Hindus. It is believed to have been constructed in the 10th century A.D. and was renovated reconstructed in the 17th century.




In Hinduism, nine celestial bodies of the Solar system are considered to be Gods who have influence on the destiny of all creatures and hence they are to be worshiped  It is for this reason, that around the 18th century, the Navgraha Temple dedicated to those nine celestial bodies, was created on the top of the Chitrachal Hill which is Guwahati’s second highest hill.





The UgraTara Temple houses the Goddess Tara, who presides here, not in the form of an idol but as a well filled with water.





Tourists can also go for evening cruises on the Brahmaputra River. This river is one of the main rivers in Asia, which originates in the southwestern part of Tibet. There it is known as the Yarlung Zanbo River. The river enters India through the gorges of Himalayas into Arunachal Pradesh, where it gains the name of Dihang.







In 1994, in the Kamrup District of Assam, the Regional Science Center and Museum was established at Khanapara. This is an ideal place for students and kids, as it offers interactive demonstrations on education, science, life in the pre-historic age and other topics. Special scientific equipment like fun mirror, magic tap, cliff lift etc are displayed here. This museum also exhibits the many contributions and developments brought about in the world of science by the Indian Nobel laureates and scientists.

নমস্কাৰ (Namaskaara) Assam

Assam (Asom, Axom) is a beautiful and diverse state with an incredible range of cultures and landscapes located in the northeast of India. It shares it’s borders in the North and East with the Kingdom of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Along the south lies Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Meghalaya lies to her South-West, Bengal and Bangladesh to her West.Assam's history goes back to ancient times. The base of this history can be found in Tantric literature, Buddhist literature, Assamese folklore and Vedic literature.The Aryans belonging to the priestly and warrior classes found their way into Assam in very early times. Various places mentioned in the epics, like Mahabharata etc. are now identified with sites in this state.The first known ruler of Assam was Mahiranga Danava of Danava dynasty, who was succeeded in turn, in the direct line by Hatakasur, Sambarsur and Ratnasur. After them there was a chief named Ghatakasur, the ruler of the Kiratas. He made Progjyotishpur (the modern Guwahati) his capital, and settled numerous Brahmans at Kamakhya. Narakasur was killed by Lord Krishna of Dwaraka. Narakasur's successor, Bhagadatta, figured in the Mahabharata war leading a vast army against the Pandavas.Sri Krishna frequently appears in Assam Mythology. Sri Krishna fought against king Bhismaka of Kundil (now Sadia) in his bid to marry Bhismaka's daughter Rukmini. Another king Banasura of Sonitpur (now Tezpur) fought against Sri Krishna, when Banasura's daughter Usha was secretly married to Anirudh, the grandson of Sri Krishna.One of the world's largest rivers Brahmaputra and other turbulent rivers of Assam offer immense opportunities for adventure tourism in Assam.


Capital: Dispur.


Major cities: Guwahati, Silchar, Kaziranga,Jorhat, Nagaon, Dibrugarh, Tezpur.


Location of Assam in India:



Map of Assam:

Jhorlang Beautiful Sikkim.....

 The mighty and majestic mountains, green valleys, wilderness & sense of adventure, delightful cuisines, peaceful and crime free State, Hot spot of biodiversity and a mixture of things makes this place on the earth a delight to visit.Sikkim is sheer magic. This is not just the most beautiful place in the world but cleanest and safest too.With its unique culture and natural landscape, Sikkim is a picture of perfection and pristine purity.Surrounded on three sides by precipitous mountain walls, Sikkim appears as a small rectangular Gem.Dominating both legend and landscape of Sikkim is the mighty Khangchendzonga. But to the Sikkimese it is much more than a mountain: Khangchendzonga is the Guardian deity, a country God whose benign watchfulness ensures peace and prosperity for the land. The five peaks of Khangchendzonga are the five Treasures of the Eternal Snow, a belief beautifully interpreted by the great Lama Lhatsun Chenpo: “The peak most conspicuously gilded by the rising sun is the treasury of gold, the peak that remains in cold grey shade is the storehouse for silver and other peaks are vaults for gems, grains and the holy books.” Each of the five peaks is believed to be crowned by an animal—the highest by a tiger and others by a lion, elephant, horse and the mythical bird Garuda.

I had a fascinating vacation here.

Day 118 - Ravangla

Ravangla is a small town, in South Sikkim district of the state of Sikkim.  The town is set midst the hills of Meanam and Tendong and it is a scenic and breathtaking place. The beauty of its landscape and its location as a transit point to nearby destinations has made Ravangla a must-visit place.


How to reach here:

By Air: The nearest airport is situated in the town of Siliguri, the  Bagdogra Airport is well connected to several cities in the country.

By Rail: The Jalpaiguri station, which is situated in the town of Siliguri, is the best option for those who are arriving by rail.


Best time to visit: Throughout the year.


Languages spoken:  Bengali, Bhutia, Nepali, Hindi, English.


Places you must visit:

Borong is a popular village situated near Ravangla, facing the snow-capped mountains. This village is reached through the Maenam trek and is most popularly known for its hot springs of 'Borong Tsachu'. The trek route along this region starts from Namchi or Damthang and ends at Tendong. The hot springs of Borong facilitate traditional winter spas in the area. These springs being sulphurous, are said to contain medicinal properties that are capable of curing many skin problems and other ailments associated with joints, bones and muscles.









The Temi Tea Estate is  known for producing top quality tea for domestic and international markets. This tea garden is spread on a single hill slope that originates from the Tendong Hills. A visit to this tea garden provides an opportunity to view the processing of tea leaves into the final tea product, in their factories. This tea garden was established in 1960s by the Sikkim Government, under the last king of Sikkim.The specialty of the tea produced at this garden, is its rare combination of tea flavors with liquor that makes it fetch some of the highest rates in the international market.







Shiva temple is located on the banks of the Rangit river, at Legshep and its most popular feature is the annual festival of Shivaratri, held here during every February.





The 8530 ft tall Tendong Hill is one of the most prominent attractions of Ravangla, as well as of the South Sikkim. This hill is the subject of many myths passed down through generations of the indigenous Lepchas. Its name translates as “the upraised horn”, which has been given to it by the Lepchas, at the time when their land was submerged in flood waters. Since then, there has been a tradition at this hill, that a monk visits it during the monsoons and stays there throughout the season, continuously praying that the calamity does not repeat itself.





The Maenam Hills is one of the trekking points of Ravangla Town and is situated at an altitude of 10,300 ft. The surroundings of this hill provide a view of Mt. KhangchenDzonga, as well as of many other richly forested and rugged hills. On clear sunny days, from this hill, one can also view the Bengal plains, spread between Kalimpong and Darjeeling hills.This hill is also a meditation site for a large number of monks. The forests around these hills include vegetation like oak, chestnut, magnolia and rhododendron trees. This cover of vegetation is a natural habitat for red pandas, Himalayan black bears and several species of deer.





The Ralong Hot Springs, known also as the Ralang Cha-chu, are located at a distance of 7 km from the village of Borong and 4 km from the Naya Bazaar, on the banks of River Rangit. Apart from being medicinal, these springs also have religious importance, as they are found in one of the four holy caves of Sikkim. The area is also an ideal spot for butterfly and bird watchers.



The village of Kewzing  is an ideal location for experiencing the local rural life of Sikkim. The families here allow travellers to stay with them, providing an experience of the renowned Sikkimese hospitability. The famous Bonn Monastery is also located at a short distance from this village. 2 km from the Kewzing Bazaar, lies the Mangbrue Gompa, which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. The area of this village was also used as a strategic location by the invading Bhutanese army during the 19th century and the ruins of their bunkers and outposts are still seen here.







The Tashiding Monastery was established in 1716 AD and its name translates to ‘Central Elevated Glory’. This monastery complex is also home to the sacred stupa of "Thongwa Rongdol" Chorten, the sight of which is said to wash away all the sins of the person.The most prominent feature of this monastery is its annual Bumchu Festival, during which a barrel containing holy water is opened to see what the year ahead holds, based on the level of the water. The origin of this festival belongs to the time of Guru Padmasambhava, in the 7th century AD, when this water used to contain sacred soil and precious jewels from different holy places of India.







The Rayong Sunrise View Point is situated 8 km away from the town of Ravangla, on the road to Damthang. This view point provides a panoramic view of the surroundings and a very good view of the sunrise at the place. The first rays of the sunrise at this place lighten up the peaks of Mt. Narsing, Jopuno, Kabur, Rathong and Pandim.



The Buddha Park of Ravangla is situated near Rabong. It is home to a Buddhist circuit and a statue of Lord Buddha. The statue of Lord Buddha was established there, in the year of 2006, on the occasion of the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. This statue was built and installed in the place through the joint efforts of the Sikkim government and its people. The Buddhist circuit of this park was built here under the project, for boosting pilgrimage and tourism in the place.







The Bonn Monastery was established in the late 1980s as a symbol of the determination of the community of Kewzing, in preserving their traditions.The Bonn faith of this monastery primarily flourished in Tibet in the 8th century AD, even before the advent of Buddhism. It is said that many of the rituals of this sect have been assimilated into Buddhism.







The Ralang Monasteries is a group of two monasteries. These monasteries follow the Kagyupa sect of Buddhism. The older monastery was established in 1768 AD and the new monastery, known as the Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute, was built by the XII Gyaltsab Rinpoche, in 1995. According to a legend, the 9th Karmapa, who was the head of the Kagyupa sect, blessed this monastery with grains of rice thrown from Tibet.The main feature of this monastery is the masked dance of Kagyed Chaam, which is performed every year by 'Pang Lhabsol', as a ritual of worshiping Mt. Khangchendzonga. This dance is held on the 15th day of the seventh month, as well as on the 29th day of tenth month of the Buddhist calendar, just before the Losoong, which is the Sikkimese New Year.









The Kheunpheling Carpet Center is a carpet-weaving center  situated in the Tibetan Refugee Settlement Camp of Ravangla Town. This center is known for producing traditionally designed and woven woolen carpets. This center was setup by the government to boost traditional Sikkimese handicraft and hand loom work. People come here to learn the art of wood carving and weaving, as well as for buying some local souvenirs.



The Doling Gompa or Monastery is situated in the Barfung Village, 4 km away from Ravangla Town. This monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism, which is one of the oldest sects, also referred to as the Red Hat sect. Its location among st the cardamom plantations also provides an opportunity to see the rich flora and fauna of the region.



Khandosangphu and Sharchog Bephug are two of the four holy caves of Sikkim, where Guru Padmasambhava preached Buddhism, as well as meditated for a long time during the 7th century AD. The caves of Khandosangphu are located at a distance of 34 km from Ravangla. These caves are said to have been the site of the legendary battle between Guru Rimpoche and a female demon that terrorized the area. This incident has been manifested in the way of rock formations in the cave.The hot sulphur springs of "Phur Cha-chu" are also situated near these caves. The Sharchog Bephug Caves are situated in Sangmo Village at about 8 km from Ravangla Town. These are the largest holy caves of Sikkim that extend between the area of Menam and Tendong Hills.