Darrang,Assam,India

DARRANG TOURISM

How to Reach Darrang (Mangaldai)

To reach here from outside the state, one has to reach Guwahati (Capital of Assam) by Air, Train, or Bus. There are regular public buses plying from Guwahati to Mangaldai. Taxies etc. are also easily available.

Transport System

The district is well connected by Road, and Water transport system. NH 15 is the major road link passing through the district in East-west direction connecting the district with neighbouring Kamrup , Udalguri and Sonitpur districts. .

In addition, the district is benefited by the water transport due to its northern boundary being covered by river Brahmaputra. There is Steamer service from Upper Kurua to Guwahati. Moreover, there is Passenger Ferry service from Kadamtali, near Kharupetia

The nearest Airport is at Azara,(Guwahati), at 77 kms. from District HQs., Mangaldai. There is another Airport at Saloni (Tezpur), that is at 110 kms. east of Mangaldai.

Places of Interest:
Tourist Places

GandhiSmriti Park: Located in the heart of the Mangaldai town & within walking distance from DC's Office, this is a very well maintained & beautiful park.

Patharughat Swaheed Minar:There is a swaheed minar in a beautiful park in the Jalliwanwalabag of Assam.

Religious Places

Satras are similar to monasteries and unique about Assam. Satras were conceived & founded by Sankardeva and then by his followers. Not only the Bhagawatee Baishnav religion was practiced here, but also many types of art forms were & being nourished, known as the Satriyaa Art - a characteristic stream in Assamese culture.

Thus the Satras can also be defined as State's Cultural Heritage Centers.

There are two satras in Darrang:

Khatara Satra:It is one of the oldest Satras and located at Dipila, 22 kms. from Mangaldai.
Dihing Satra:This satra is located atKurua, 45 kms. from Mangaldai.

Temples & Devalaya

Kamakshya Devalaya:To the south-west of Kalaigaon, near Lakhimpur village, is this Devalaya. There is a Stone fetish inside the temple with 8 lotus petals on it. Doul Festival - the religious part of the Holy Festival is celebrated here in Spring. It was founded before 12th century AD and favoured by Ahom& Koch Kings.

Thaans are another kind of place of worship. Usually triggered by some fetish e.g., some old tree or stone etc., afterwards often transformed into place of institutional worship.

Mosque

Mosques are the places of worship for Muslims. There are total seven (7) maszids around Mangaldai town viz. Saru Maszid, Sahitya Nagar Maszid, Islampur Maszid etc.

How to Reach: All these above places are well connected by Road, and can be reached within One & half an hour by Car.

Historic Beels & Ponds:

In 1615 AD, Koch Kings took over in Darrang from Bhuyans. It was these two periods where most of these ponds were created. Many large ponds were also created during British rule and post independent period.

Batha Beel:A nice opportunity for bird watchers, thousands of migratory birds come to this beel. It is near Hazarikapara (Sipajhar)

How to Reach: Hazarikapara is touched by NH 15.

Accommodation:There is Inspection Bungalow(built by PWD Deptt.) at Hazarikapara. Also there is one Rest House near it.

Pukhuria Beel:Another choice for Bird watchers. Hundreds of migratory birds come to this beel every year.

Baladev Pukhuri:Located at Baldevpara, west of Sipajhar, is a beel covering 48 Bighaas was created during the reign of King Dharma Narayana. Today, it is serving as Govt. Fishery.

Jaypal Pukhuri:A huge Pond, with an area of 20 Bighaas at Barkaliyajhar village known to be created during the reign of King Jaypal. The water of this pond is crystal clear and stays above ground level!

FORESTS, SANCTUARIES and PARKS

Attractions

Orang National Park, Also termed as a miniature Kaziranga, is located near Silbori, and on the north bank of river Brahmaputra. It covers an area of 78 sq. km.

Animals: One horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Barking Deer, Elephant, Leopard, Sambar and Hogdeer, Pangolin, Civet Cat & Otter.

Birds: Both migratory and local birds. viz. Palican, Green Pigeon, Bengal Florican, Cormorant, Greylag Goose, Large Whistling Teal, Great Adjutant Stork, King Vulture.

How to Reach: Orang is at a distance of 140 kms. from Guwahati, 32 kms. from Tezpur and 68 kms. from Mangaldai, the district HQ by road. It would take One and half hour to reach from Mangaldai. The nearest railhead is Rongapara and the nearest airport is Saloni (Tezpur).Public buses & rental cars are available from Guwahati, the State Capital or Mangaldai.

Accommodation: There are two(2) Inspection Bunglows inside the park. One is at Silbori and the other at Satsimlu inside the forest. One Tourist Lodge is coming up at Nalbari (Tourist Department). In addition, there is a Government Tourist Lodge, a Circuit House and other private hotels of moderate rates at Tezpur. Also there are hotels and lodges in Mangaldai and Rowta.