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Sibsagar was the capital of the Ahom Kings who ruled Assam before the advent of the British. The town is build round the Sibsagar tank, dug over 200 years ago. The tank is above town level although situated in the heart of the town. On its banks are located some of the famous temples of Sibsagar. The Shiva temple, constructed in the year 1734 is believed to be the highest Hindu temple in India.
How To Get There
Air
The nearest airport is at Rewriah, Jorhat (55 km away) connected by air with Calcutta, Guwahati and Tezpur.
Rail
The nearest railhead is Simaluguri (16 km away) on main N.F. Railways.
Road
Sibsagar is connected by road to most of the important places in Assam. Some distances are: Guwahati 369 km Kaziranga 152 km Jorhat 55 km Nowgong 249 km Dibrugarh 76 km Tinsukia 114 km
In and around
Sibsagar Tank and Temples
The tank comprising 120 acres of water, dug ever 200 years age, is above town level although situated down town. fed by natural springs, the tank is surrounded by deep ditches and earthen moats. Three temples are built on its banks - Siva temple, Vishnu temple and Devidol temple.
Talatal Ghar
Built in 1699 by king Rudra Singha about 6 km from Sibsagar it is an underground garrison having three stories the lowest connected with Dikhow river by tunnel.
Kereng Ghar
This is a seven storied castle-four above and three below the ground containing two underground pathways to Dikhow river and Garden palace.
Rang Ghar
The Ahom Kings watched elephant fights and other sporting events from this two- storied oval- shaped pavilion built by king Pramutta singha.
Joysagar Tank and Temple
Historical records reveal that the tank was constructed in 45 days at Rangpur in 1697. The tank stands on the area of 318 acres half of which is under water and on its banks stand the Jeydol (Vishnu) temple, Shiva temple and Devi Ghar and Ghanashyam (Nati Gosain) temple. Gaurisagar Group 16 km south of Sibsagar on the Assam Trunk Road
Gaurisagar
One of the historical tanks constructed by Queen Phuleswari in the year 1723. This springfed tank is 150 acres; under water and on its banks stand three temples dedicated to Devi, Shiva and Vishnu.
Gargaon Palace
The principal town of the Ahom Kings, constructed by the 15th Ahom King Suklemnung in 1540 lies 13 km east of Sibsagar. The present seven storied palace was built by King Rajesshar Singha in about 1762. All the underground stories and passages were blocked by the East India Company. The magazine made of bricks is within the palace compound and further eastwards are two old stone bridges, constructed by King Gadadhar Singha. Charaideo 28 km east of Sibsagar, was the original capital of the Ahom Kings built by Sukhapa the founder of the dynasty in about 1229.
Charaideo
Famous for its numerous maidams (vaults) of the kings and members of the royal family resembling the pyramids of Egypt. Most of them were build of stones and bricks, they are in ruins now.
Other Places A great number of old Sastras of the Vaishava cult, Muslim Dargahs, Budhist and Sakta shrines are to be found around Sibsagar, Besides, there are more than 500 tanks, vaults, earthen forts and castles belonging to the Ahom, Manipuri, Jaintia Shan and Kachari kings in this sub-Division.
Jorhat
Famous for its sprawling tea gardens. It is the nerve centre of tea industry. It has the world reknowned Teklai Experimental Centre. Research is carried out to find new varieties of tea and also therapeutic effected of green tea. Regional Research Laboratory which is situated here conducts investigation on plants, herbs and seil. There are also other organisations such as Assam Agricultural University, Technical School etc.
Majuli This largest island on the river Brahmaputna contains numerous satras or monasteries.
Dibrugarh
It is an upcoming major trading centre and a lovely river side town in Upper Assam. This is the place where the mighty river Brahmaputra is at its majestic best
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