Tezpur is a city in Sonitpur district in the state of Assam, India. It is an ancient town on the banks of the river Brahmaputra and is the largest of the north bank towns. It is also the administrative headquarters and municipal board of the Sonitpur district. Tezpur is a beautiful and multifaceted city steeped in mythology and history. The city abounds in archaeological sites, hills, lakes and gardens. Historical ruins of 8th-9th century dot the surrounding areas of the town. The ruins of Bamuni Hills among them are the most famous. They bear resemblance to the Gupta period art. Tezpur also provides a gateway to the whole south-west region of Arunachal Pradesh.
The name Tezpur is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Teza', meaning blood and 'Pura', meaning town or city. Legend has it that the original name of this place was 'Sonitpur'; "Sonit" in Sanskrit also means blood. When the battle between Lord Krishna's army and Banasura's army was fought to rescue the Lord's grandson Aniruddha, there was so much bloodshed that the whole place was stained in red. This led to the name of the place becoming Tezpur.
The town was liked a lot by the British in the past, for it is the British who took initiatives in constructing race course and polo grounds here. Tezpur also holds an important significance in the nearby town Gahapur where Kanaklata, a girl of 14 hoisted the national flag and was shot at by the British bullet and became a martyr in the Indian Independence struggle.
Presently Tezpur is a commercial, administrative and educational centre apart from housing a major base of the Indian Army and Airforce (Salonibari). The nearest civilian airport is Saloni - 8 km from the heart of the city.
The population is largely Assamese, Bengali ( migrants from West Bengal and Bangladesh), Nepali, Bihari and Marwari communities. People from various tribes such as the Tea-tribes (brought in by the colonial planters as indentured labourers from the Chhotanagpur plateau region), Bodos, Mishings etc. have also made this city their home.
Best For:
Apart from its historic Significance & natural beauty, Tezpur also offers the world's hottest Chilli- Naga/Bhoot Jolokia.
Tezpur's climate is healthy as neither the winter nor the summer is extreme here. So it is an all year round destination. The tea-gardens here have been greatly developed because of its climate.
Tezpur has a number of guesthouses and hotels for accommodating tourists.
The important guesthouses are: Tourist Lodge , Circuit House ,Arunachal Govt. Guest House (Parbatiya) and Assam Tourism Lodge.
There are many hotels in Tezpur too.
The Tourism department also has a lodge right near the Govt. bus stand.
Agnigarh: Agnigarh or the rampart surrounded by fire is perhaps the most beautiful tourist spot of Tezpur, preserving the sweet memory of young lovers. According to a legend princess Usha the only daughter of King Bana was kept inside the palace which was surrounded by a rampart of fire. The present Agnigarh now only a hillock facing the mighty Brahmaputra provides the tourist a soul-touching panoramic view of both Brahmaputra and Tezpur.
Cole Park: It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Tezpur. Established by a British Deputy Commissioner Mr. Cole, the park has two massive ornamented stone pillars, and the sculptural remnants of the famous Bamuni Hills.
Bamuni Hills: The ruins of the Bamuni Hill is famous for its artistic beauty. The sculptural remains which had been dated back to the 9th and 1Oth century A.D. now lie in the Cole Park and Missionary compound.
The Hazara Pukhuri: The large tank preserves the name of Hazara Varman in Tezpur. It was excavated in the early part of the 19th century. This is the third largest tank covering an area of 70 acres.
Bhomoraguri: A mammoth stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora Phukan who planned to construct a bridge over Brahmaputra could be seen here. Almost two centuries later, a bridge over Brahmaputra at the same place has now been completed. The 3.05 km. Bridge named after the great Ahom general connecting Nagaon district with Tezpur was opened for vehicular Traffic in the year 1987 by the then Prime Minister of India.
Mahabhairab Temple : An ancient holy temple where king Bana worshipped Mahabhairab another incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Da-Parbatia: The ruins of the door frame of Da-Parbatia Temple a few kms. from Tezpur town is perhaps the finest and the oldest specimen of sculptural or iconoclastic art in Assam. Its carving has the characteristic of the style of early Gupta School of sculpture.
The Chitralekha Udyan, the most beautiful garden of Tezpur has impressive ornamental stone pillars, sculptural relics, water sports facility, lush green walkways and a small amphitheatre too. Here, the ancient and the modern co-exist in harmony.
Nameri National Park
Near the Jia Bhoroli river, the Nameri National Park spreads over from Assam to Arunachal Pradesh. The best way to travel within the Park is atop elephants. There are no roads inside the park. The park is home to the Mithun or Indian bison and the rare White Winged Wood Duck, among the most endangered avian species in the world.
A few other places to visit while in Tezpur are:
Bhairabi Temple – A Godess Durga shrine temple also known as Maithan
Kolia Bhomora Setu - The 3.015 km long road bridge across the Brahmaputra
Ketakeshwar Dewal – Lord Shiva shrine
Padum Pukhuri - Central lake with an island in the middle
Rudrapath – Lord Shiva shrine
Bar Pukhuri : A water tank.
The few interesting places to visit nearby Tezpur are:
Bhalukpung: This beautiful spot on the road to Tawang, was the capital of Bhaluka. Water rafting is allowed here during winter seasons. It is 60 km. from Tezpur under the foot of Aka Hills- (Arunachal). Remains of old fortifications are still visible. The turbulent river Jia-Bharali fascinate the tourists. Govt. of Assam, has a tourist lodge at Bhalukpung in the natural settings. Taxi & bus services are available from the town.
Other attractions of Bhalukpung are hot spring and a huge orchid garden. Pakke (a Tiger sanctuary) and Eaglenest (a birding point) are also nearby.
Orang Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary sprawled over an area of 72 sq. km is only 65 km from Tezpur. The animals which are seen in this area are the one-horned rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard, sambhar, barking deer and tiger, varieties of water birds, green pigeon, florican, teal, geese and wild elephant.
From Tezpur, Tawang (12 Hrs) / Bomdila (5 Hrs) / Kaziranga National Park (40km) are very easily accessible and worth seeing.
Famed for its historic significance, architectural beauty & interesting folklore, Tezpur is still best enjoyed not as a stand alone destination but combined with a tour to other destinations in north east India.
Tezpur is well connected by Air, Rail and Road transport. Guwahati is180 kms. away and buses ply regularly . From Tezpur tourist vehicles are available for Tawang in Anunachal Pradesh (Snow clad from November to February)
By Air:
The place is connected by Air. There are direct flights from Kolkata thrice a week and daily from Guwahati to Tezpur. Indian airlines NEPC airlines connect Tezpur with Kolkata & Guwahati.
By Rail:
The nearest railheads connecting Tezpur to all the major cities of India are Kolkata and Guwahati. The Tezpur Balipara Light Railway (existing MG rail line) is the oldest on the North Bank descending from the Tezpur Balipara Light Railway built in 1885 to carry tea from upcountry estates to the then riverport of Tezpur
By Road:
The City is well connected by roadways too. It is only 180 km from Guwahati. and both Government and Tourist Buses ply regularly to and fro from Guwahati . Deluxe bus services (both day & night) are available from Guwahati and other important nearby towns.
Local Transport:
From Tezpur tourist vehicles are available for hire for all nearby destinations.
It’s a 4 hour journey from Guwahati. There are two routes from Guwahati to reach Tezpur
One is through Nagaon. This route is through Jagiroad, Roha touching Meghalaya border and the other one is through Mangaldai,Orang,Kharupetia,Dekhiajali.
