Places to visit in Western Assam -- Bongaigaon District

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BONGAIGAON

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1. Jogighopa

Jogighopa is a historical site situated on the Northern Bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra, 30 KMs away from historical town Abhayapuri, the Royal Kingdom of the Koch-Rajbongshi dynasty. The Eco-Restoration Projects is intended due to its historical importance and quite natural beauty. Every year thousand of visitors pay visit to this important historical site, particularly on the day of Ashok-Ashtomi. The number of visitors swell up to half a lakh of people. The area holds potential for Eco-Tourism Development. Further Eco-Restoration programme by large scale afforestation along bank of the river Brahmaputra will prevent erosion of river bank and thus facilitate protecting the site from further erosion.

2. The Bageswari Hill

The Bageswari Hill situated hardly 1 K.M. away from Bongaigaon town and surrounded by the only Tea Garden namely Birjhora Tea Estate. The hill presents a natural watch tower where from entire town and its surrounding can be viewed. The hill houses ancient Siva Temple inside a stone cave flanked by either side two other temples namely Bageswari and Baba Taraknath. Due to heavy biotic interference, the hill becomes completely barren. Every year more than 20,000 devotees pay visit to the Siva Temple on the day of Sivaratri. Presently there is no road leading to the templeand it has been the demand of the local population for construction of a parmanent road to the hill top which is approximately 500 meters in length.

a) To preserve and protect the bird species and to increase their population

b) To increase healthy atmosphare around the lake site to attract tourist and to make it a suitable tourist spot.

c) To preserve the mementoes in and around the Beel area for entertainment of the visitors while coming to visit the Project site.

d) To uplift the poor economic condition of the people of the locality by making tourism an alternative means of earning.

1.Jogighopa Historical Site and Beach Phase -I:
Five historical caves located near the banks of the Brahmaputra near Naranarayan Bridge is a protected site under Archaeological Survey of India.The Eco-Restoration Project has been intended for implementation due to its historical importance and quiet natural beauty. Every year thousands of visitors pay visit to this historical site specially on th e day of Ashoka Astami. Further, afforestation along the bank of river Brahmaputra has been undertaken with an aim to conserve land mass from erosion.Under first phase of the project a Nursery of 0.5 Ha, planting of Casurina Equestifolia and under species(5 Ha), construction of iron and stone mesh for raising flower beds (10 No.), 3 water tanks and layout of garden has been completed. Total outlay of first phase of the project is Rs. 3,01,989/- which has been completed during 2002-2003 and site is being maintained during 2003-04.

2. Bamungaon as Eco-Conservation and Tourism Site Phase -I
A site of natural perrenial stream in Bamangaon Reserve Forest under Abhayapuri Forest Range was selected to take up afforestation and beautification works in the Phase -I (April'02 to Feb'03). A 0.5 ha of Nursery has been raised, afforestation of 20 Ha plantation constructions of stop dam and natures trail has been completed. The total outlay of the first phase of the project is Rs. 6,46,800/-, which has been completed. Bamungaon JFMC has been handed over the responsibility of collection of entry fee and maintenance. The committee has collected more than Rs. 10,000/- during 2002-2003 from different sources.

3.Tamranga Vihang Vihaar. Phase -I:
Tamranga a natural lake under Boitamari Block of N.Salmara Sub-Division is a beautifull location and destination of migratory birds during winters. fed by the floodwater of the Brahmaputra, it is a combination of two lakes Tamranga(larger lake) and Kanara(smaller lake). In the phase-I, Kanara is being developed. The works completed include raising of 1 Ha nursery, planting of 350 single plants, the layout of the garden on the banks of the lake and repairing of abandoned fisheries building as Tourist Rest House. Total outlay of Phase-I was of Rs. 5,18,090/-, which has been achived during 2002-03 and now the site is being handed over to the local Joint Forest Managament Committee.

4.Bagheswari Temple Hill Site. Phase- I:
Bageswari Temple on the top of in the middle of Bongaigaon town is proposed to be developed as afforested hillock with a garden and a small artificial lake fed by a perennial stream This would improve the water catchment area of the town and the surrounding environment.The Bhageswari Hill houses acients Shiva temple inside a stone cave flanked either side by another 2 temples mainly temple of Bhageswari and Baba Tarak Nath. Every year 15 to 20 thousand devotees visit to the Bhageswari hill top.In order to develop this beutiful site into a viable Eco-Tourism and recreational spot, the following schemes were taken up and implemented during 2001-2003(31st March'2003).Entire allocation for implementing the project has been made out of funds from EAS 2001-2002 stream.

Birjhora Herbal Garden cum Orchidorioum and Butterfly rearing House:
The Project was taken up under EAS, 2001-2002 with an estimated cost of Rs. 7,79,500.00 with the objective to uplift Birjhora Science College to a prime centre of Research and Training and to create awareness for preservation and Economic use of Bio Diversity covering the following components a) One Medicinal Herbal Garden.b) An Orchidarium.c) A Butterfly rearing house.d) A Mushroom Cultivation cum Demonstration Center.e) Patchouli Cultivation.f) One Ornamental Flower Garden with a Patch of Fern.g) Necessary facilities such as Nursery, Boundary wall, Water supply, Internal path, Garden implements etc.. Traditional medicinal plant have been collected and cultivated. Butterfly
Rearing (variety) Centre has already been constructed and successfully habitated. Orchidorium house along with Mushroom demonstration centre have already been constructed and put to use.
D) Sericulture Sector,

1.Extention of Som Plantation and Raising of Som Seeding Nursery at Nayagaon Muga V.G.R. :3 hect. extension of som plantation along with raising of 40000 nos of seedling Nursery has been completed at Nayagaon Muga V.G.R.

2.Extension of Mulberry Plantation: Introducing of Som plantation along with raising of Som and Mulberry Nursery at North Boitamari (Dewangaon) C.M.G. :- 1.5 hect. of Som plantation is completed along with 40000 nos of S1 and M5 variety of Mulberry Nursery in the C.M.G. 15 hect. Mulberry plantation (S1 & M5 variety) and 40000 nos of som Seeding Nursery is created in the North Boitamari CMG .

3.Creation of Mulberry Nursery at Khagarpur CMG: 40000 nos of S1 & M5 variety of Mulberry sapling Nursery has been created at Khagarpur CMG and distribution of seedlings to beneficiaries is continuing.

4.Creation of Kesseru Nursery at Ulubari ECC : 30000 nos of Kesseru Seeding Nursery has been raised at Ulubari Eri Concentration Centre.

5.Creation of Kesseru Nursery at Ballamguri ECC: 30000 nos of Kesseru Nursery has been raised at Ballamguri Eri Concentration Centreand distribution to rearers are going on.

6.Group Plantation and Creation of Mulberry Garden for Unemployed : 18 bighas of land has been covered by high yeilding variety of Mulberry Plants under group plantation scheme by unemployed youths as a source of their livelihood at Jelkajhar.
The different schemes as mentioned above is meant for rearers of Bongaigaon district which will directly cover more than 500 nos of Eri/Muga and Mulberry rearers for seeding and sapling distribution and engage a good numbers of local rearers who will undertake Eri/Muga and Mulberry rearing, utilising the silkworm food plants of the centres and is expected to reduce the poverty among the poor people.

Emergency medical care to save lives require blood transfusion very often. Large number of surgical, obstetics and accident cases are treated in different govt. and private medical institutions daily. Life saving emergency medical services are severly handicaped due to non availibility of blood transfusion facility. The requirment of transfusion of blood is estimated to be about 250 – 300 units per month.

DRDA, Bongaigaon has taken up a project to construct a blood bank attached to Bongaigaon CHC at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.5 Lakhs.. The Blood Bank building has already been constructed as per specification given by Govt. of India with provisions for separate rooms for blood collection, donor’s examination, laboratory, refreshment, storage, record room and a laboratory.

Kakaijana Proposed Wildlife Sanctuary

(26o22' North-20o21' North and 90o33' East - 90o34' East )
cover an area of 15,000 bigha land situated on the bank of Aie river, declared Reserved Forest on 29th April 1966, 15 km away from Bongaigaon town in eastern direction. It has been proposed to be upgraded into a wildlife sanctuary since 1st April 1999, under the Aie Valley Forest Division ( Letter No. A/24/5/Kakoijana/31/317-20 dated 1/4/99).

Golden Langur which is found here is rare in the world and only in this area of North Eastern region. In addition to Golden Langur differnt types of Birds and differnt types of valuable Climber's, Shrub, Herb , Sapling plants are also availble . There is one hill spring called "Kalikapat" which flows through the forest and drains to the paddy field. There is also an ancient "Shiva" temple on one of the hills. All these Animals and Sceneries are beautiful and tourist attractive.

Famous For:
Animals
Golden Langur
Birds
Pied Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Red Vented Bulbul, Black Headed Oriole, Drongo, Ashi Swallo Shrike, Pied Myna, Jungle Leubbler, Little egret, Large egret, Pond Heron, Open Bell Stork, Lesser Adjatent Stork, Recket Tailed Drongo, Grey Headed Myna, Greater Recket Tailed Drango, Black Crested Bulbul Shama, Ruphoas Shrike, Green Heron, Open Bill Stork, Magpic Robin etc.
Others
Binturong, Jungle fowl, Barking deer, Pangolin, Flying Squirrel.
Plant
Around Orchid, Sal Patches, Scattered Bamboo Grooves and saplings of miscellaneous tree species.
Golden Langur

LALMATI-DURAMARI GANESH TEMPLE
The Lalmati-Duramari Ganesh Temple near Abhayapuri town under North Salmara Sub-Division, is one of the oldest temples of the state.
The historicity of the images are yet to be ascertained. But after a study of the stone carving and modes related to the carved idols, archeologists opine that the temple and images belong to 8th to 10th centuries AD
There are three views advanced as the reason for destrcution of the temple .The first view has it that eartquakes during the 8th and 10th centuries destroyed the temple and its images, while according to tyhe second view, Kalapahar who revolted against worshipers and priests, destroyed the temple along with other temples and images in the North-East. The third view has it that Burmese(Maan) invaders who camped at Malegarh(Manegarh) hills destroyed the temple along with the idols. But it seems that eartquake has been the prime cause of the destruction of the temple.


A part of the Old Lalmati Ganesh Mandir
The existance of ruins in Lalmati-Durgamari area along with temples and images was brought to the notice of the Historical & Antiquarian Department of the Govt. of Assam in 1974. The department undertook excacation work which resulted the discovery of the temples, images and idols of the Gods and Godesses.
The site of temples is teemed with natural beauty and the Govt. can upgrade the place to a major tourist attraction.
Development work in the temple was undertaken partly by Bongaigaon district administration and the State Govvement.
People have already demanded the Govt. to include the place in the tourist mape of the state and construct a tourist lodge here.
A community hall and an office building have already been constructed. Work on a water supply scheme is being done at present.
The temple managing committee and local people urged the Govt. to blacktop the road from Naldaba to the temple site and take steps to beautify the area.

Rock Cut Caves
The best speciments of the architecture of the Salasthambha period are the remains of the five rock-cut caves at Jogighopa on the bank of the Brahmaputra in the district of Bongaigaon. These are the unique examples of rock-cut architecture in Assam. Though these rock-cut caves are not of such architectural interest as those in Western India, but these remains at Jogighopa are the clear evidence of the fact that Assam was not outside the movement of this particular type of art developed in India as it will be seen from description of the best preservedcave noticed at Jogighopa.

This Cave measures 2.60 m breadth ,1.8 metre in depth and 1.90 metre in height and also a roughly rounded ceiling and in front a verandah 75 cm long by 35 cm broad. A platform of brick and mud masonry is found inside which is obviously a later addition. A chase running across the entire breath of the cave on the top serves to drain away rain water from the facade. Flights of steps have been cut into the rock on either side and ledge on the top diverts the rain water from the facade. The cave bears no sculptural designs. The other caves at the site have no flights and verandah and smaller in size than the best preserved one.

This architectural site has been taken up by the Archaelogical survey of India for preservation