Places to visit in Central Assam - Kamrup District

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KAMRUP

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Madan Kamdev Temple

Barely 40 Kms. away from Guwahati, the gateway of North-East and 3 Kms. from Baihata Chariali on National Highway 52, Madan Kamdev is an enigma, a mystery, a marvel which speaks about the ancient Kamrup. Scattered all around the Dewangiri hillock with an idyllic back drop of green hills and flowing rivulet, are griffins, nymphs, dancing fairies, gods and goddesses in cosmic evoluations, walls, pillars, lintels and door frams decorated with flowers, animals, Kalpa-vriksha (the tree of fulfillment), six sided Bhairava, four headed Shiva, Demons, Serpants and men, women and animals in every conceivable erotic postures, all in ruins-ruin of gigantic proportion - that is Madan Kamdev. Carvings that arrest time and remain ageless proclaiming eternal yearning for Love and Joy. Every curvable surface here is vibrant with a fervour of joy-dee vivre which transformed rocks into living, breathing, dancing beauty - a timeless dream on silent rocks.

It is belived that Kama or Madan, the God of Love was reborn in this place after being turn into ashes by angry Lord Shiva. One school belive that Madan was reborn and united to his wife Rati in this tiny hillock. Another school argue that the name Madan Kamdev is romantic association to palce, because of the numarous erotic sculptures.

Perhaps there is no place in India except Khajuraho and Kanarak, where basic weaknesses of mortals caught in fear, doubt, love, jelously and consumate passion have been so eloquently expressed. It is realy a mystery, how Madan Kamdev, a place exquisite antiquities, so near to Guwahati escaped the notice of all for such a long time. It is now established that many priceless imageses of Madan Kamdev were either stolen by curio hunters or by religion-duped villagers without perhaps realising the value of the curving they removed.

Assam Archeology more or less has confirmed that the ruins of Madan Kamdev belonged to the 10th to 12th century A.D. when the Pala Dynasty ruled Kamrupa. The ruins are believed to be the remains of more than 20 temples consigned to Lord Shiva. The surviving portion of Madan Kamdev shows that these were perhaps the finest mediaval temples ever built in the entire Brahmaputra Valley. Be it so, or it otherwise Madan Kamdev, continues to remain an archeological challenge.




Saraighat war Memorial Park:

This Park is at Agyathuri on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra .The Park has been constructed for preservation and promotion of the memories associated with the Battle of Saraighat which took place in the year 1671 A.D. between the Ahoms and Mughals under the command of the great Ahom "Senapati" Lachit Barphukan .

The total cost of this project is Rs. 65 lakhs which has been made available by the Planning and Development Dept. Govt. of Assam under the untied fund 2005-06. The entire project has been completed within the record time utilizing 100% of the fund.

Hayagriva-Madhab Temple

Hayagriva-Madhab Hayagriva Madhava Mandir is situated on the Monikut hill near Hajo of Kamrup district .It is known that the temple was constructed by the King Raghu deva Narayan in 1583. According to some other historians. King of Pala dynasty constructed it in 6th century. It is a stone temple and it enshrines an image of Hayagriva Madhav. The rows of elephants are seen on the body of the temple and they are fine specimens of Assamese art. There is a big pond known as Madhab Pukhuri near the temple. Doul ,Bihu and Janmastami festivals are celebrated every year in the temple. Moreover this temple preaches both Hinduism and Buddhism, which attract Buddhist Monks from far flung places.

Poa Macca
Poa Macca is a place of pilgrimage for the Muslims and is located at Hajo, a small town near Guwahati. It is the tomb of seer Giasuddin Auliya. It is believed that by offering prayers here the faithfuls gain one fourth of the spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca. Hence the name - "poa" meaning one-fourth.

Aswaklanta :

This temple being famous for the Hindus was constructed by king Siva Singha in 1720 A.D. situated on the bank of the river Brahmaputra. It consists two big temples. It is said that Lord Krishna, while coming to kill Narakasura, his horse got tired in this place. There are also some others opinion that the horse was attacked near this temple and the name of it should have been Aswakranta and not Aswaklanta. Formally there was a Kunda, a place of sacrifice near the temple. Now this Kunda does not exist because it was eroded by the river Brahamputra. Inside this temple, there are two images one of Janardana and the other of Anantasai Vishnu. The later is a fine art specimen of eleventh century. There is one stone inscription on the body of the temple located at north Guwahati. Ideally located on the bank of the river, it is linked by regular ferry services with the south bank. It can be reached by road across the Saraighat bridge.

Chanda's Merghar at Chaygaon :-

It is a site with which a mythological story is attached to a merchant named Chanda Saudagar and his son Lakhindar and his daughter-in-law Beula. The story goes that Chanda Saudagar , who was a devotee of Lord Siva ,once got a curse from 'Nag Devata' (the God of Snake) that he would have no descendents any further as his only son would be killed on the latter's wedding nite. To prevent this, Lakhindar and his bride was confined in the "Merghar" (a specially built sealed house for the newly wed couple to prevent entry of snakes ) However despite every effort , Lakhindar was bitten to death by 'Nag Devata' . It was Beula 's relentless offerings and prayers that saved her husband's life later on. Ruins of 'Merghar' and replica of Siva idols are still found around this site.

Chandubi :-

A natural lagoon and a fine picnic spot which is 64 km from Guwahati. The lake and its surroundings broken by glades, is in ideal holidays resort and has the added attraction of fishing and rowing in the lake. The place is easily accessible by bus from the central bus stand at Adabari, Guwahati.Daul Govinda Mandir: Located at the north bank of the mighty river Brahmaputra. It is a place of historic importance. The temple and shrines, copper plates and rock inscription are scattered to suggest a glorious heritage in and around north Guwahati. The holy Daul Govinda Mandir is perfectly placed at the beautiful foot hills of Chandrabharati hill at Rajaduar, a place of the east of North Guwahati and this natural ambience heightens the sanctity of this place of worship.Everyday hundreds of pilgrims assemble here particularly, during the month of Magha and especially on the auspicious full moon day. Daul Govinda Mandir has two idols i.e. of Lord Shyamaray and Lord Govinda of course most of the devotees offer their prayers mainly to lord Govinda. Sidheswar Devalaya : It is situated in Sualkuchi of Kamrup district. It is an ancient Siva temple, which was built during the time of Ahom King Siva Singha's rule. A few images of archeological interest exist at the site. Dirgheswari Temple : Located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra and linked by a motorable road, this shrine is considered as one of the supreme Devi Tirthas of the state. Isolated and lying at the foot of a range of hills, it has several rock cut images which can be traced to the 11th to 12th century A.D. This is one of the few temples where buffalo sacrifice is done annually during Durga Puja.


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Sualkuchi - the silk village of Assam

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Indigenous Weaving Product from Pat-Muga -the Assam silk In the of context of silk weaving in Assam , Sualkuchi is a name that stands apart. Situated on the bank of the river Brahmaputra, about 35 kms from Guwahati, Sualkuchi is a block of Kamrup District with a population around 52,679,with 90 sq km . There are 8 G.P. in Sualkuchi block out of which, weaving is a dominant occupation. In fact Sualkuchi is known as the MANCHESTAR of the East. A weaver in traditional loomThe weaving tradition in this hamlet can be traced to the 11th century when king Dharma Pal, of the Pala dynasty, sponsored the craft and brought 26 weaving families from Tantikuchi to Saulkuchi. The village took shape as a weaving village when the SHAMS occupied Sualkuchi defeating the Mughals in the mid 17th century. Dyeing and processing of silk by traditional method 'Project Sualkuchi'- A dream of the people, by the people, for the people.The North Eastern Council, in exercise of the financial powers authorized by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, accorded administrative approved as well as sanction on 8th May 1987 towards implementation of the Scheme IPP for the weavers of Sualkuchi and Adjoining areas under the pattern of self help group of Kamrup District of Assam. The Scheme is being implemented by Deputy Commissioner Kamrup and Project Director, DRDA, Kamrup District Assam.

Objectives

• To provide self-employment to the rural masses, especially women.

• To organize poor weavers into Self Help Group's for their empowerment and sustenance.

• To provide managerial and technical skill to the weavers.

• To build a team of resources persons who can update the knowledge and skill of the weavers.

• To increase the nos. of skilled weavers and upgrade their existing skills through proper training.

• To facilitate the gainful utilization of Muga ,Eri yarn product through the Yarn Bank.

• To produce superior quality of furnished product through strict quality control mechanism.

• To create relevant marketing support in the village itself.

• To enhance income generation from the existing level through value addition.

National Institute of fashion Technology(NIFT) and Project SualkuchiThis premier institute of design management and technology was set up in 1986,under the aegis of Ministry of Textiles to impart Fashion education and cater to the human resources development needs in India, to train professionals to meet the varied manpower requirement of the apparel section, but also a solid foundation to which the country could profitably transform to meet the international challenges. Hon'ble Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma visiting weaving lab of NIFT, Kolkata
The Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup Assam, vide Letter no. KCA/Project Salkuchi/Nift/2004/1 dated 19th March 2004,sought the participation of Nift in the above Project for the development of managerial capacity and upgrading the technical skill of the weavers of self-help group. Accordingly, in context to the IPP, Nift is committed towards the development of entire Sualkuchi handloom cluster in terms of various technological and skill up gradation, establishment of R and D centres for handloom, setting up of various common facility centres, product innovation, design diversification and conversion of handloom materials into fashionable garments, setting up of yarn bank and CAD Centre, and conduction of various training and exposure programmes for the weaving artist of Sualkuchi region.

The estimated cost of this project is 695.50 crores. The underlying points highlights briefly the progress of the scheme.1. A total of 100 self help groups have been formed and they have been provided a revolving fund of Rs. 10,000/- each.2. Each self Help group have been provided with Rs. 2 lakhs as subsidy and Rs. 2 lakhs as bank loan.3. 300 weavers were given training on updated looming methods, new disigne and other related waving aspects at NIIFT, Kolkatta.4. The construction work of common facility centre at Sualkuch is going on. 5. The approximate estimated budget of this task is Rs. 60 lakhs.