The Diaries of Assam - Offbeat sites of beauty around Guwahati

Assam is a beautiful land crafted with love, peace, harmony and beauty that would immerse the people visiting her. A land deeply embedded with serene canopy of forests, with golden rays of sunlight stealing through the thick embrace of leaves, soft gushing waters of the mighty Brahmaputra river, and the numerous rivulets, streams and waterfalls that cuts across it, aromatic tea gardens and green fields, pastures stretching as far as the eye could behold. I consider myself fortunate enough to be born in this enchanting land. I literally grew up in the lap of nature. When most people do come to visit my state, it fills me with immense pride when I hear praises about her. But sometimes, I do wonder, people mostly know Assam by the glamour of Guwahati, the largest metropolitan in Northeast and the capital of the state, the Kaziranga National Park, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh city, the domains of the Ahom Kingdom. But what most people seldom realize is, there are more than that can be seen with the naked eye, more than these places. Hidden spots spread across Assam and the Assamese countryside, some very carefully hidden by mother nature to deflect precarious and reckless humans from polluting its beauty.

There are many such places to explore, which are located at easy distances from the Capital Guwahati. These places can be reached with Public transport or more conveniently by rented or personal vehicles which can be found at many throughfares across Guwahati. I am mentioning the four most beautiful and my personal favourate spots.

THE NILACHAL HILLS

Nilachal Hills are situated on the Western part of Guwahati city, about 8 KMs away from the central part of the capital. This is actually the hills on which the famous Kamakhya Temple is situated, for which numerous devotees and tourists visit Guwahati every year. However, the Temple is situated on a relatively lower portion of the hill. Many visitors unknown to the fact, misses out on the incredible experience that can be garnered after ascending till the top of the hill, which provides a breathtakingly picturesque 360 degree view of the entire guwahati valley situated in the warm folds of Brahmaputra Valley. A very pleasant weather most of the time of the year, this place is unknown to many. Also, come evening, the view feels worth the climb. The valley lits up, and it gives an impression of what my mother used to describe as, "Taare Zameen par". And indeed it does seem like the star studded sky has shifted down in the valley.

Reaching the hill top is quite easy if you have a personal or rented vehicle. However if you wish to opt for public transport, shared auto rickshaws can be availed in the day to noon time, from the Kamakhya temple vehicle stand. You can also choose a private autorickshaw, but you have to put up a good fight trying to bargain your way down from the unfair prices asked by the drivers.

POBITORA

Wildlife is one of the many things, Assam prides upon. The one horned Rhinoceros, symbolic of Assam, as well as other fauna like elephants, wild buffalo, tigers. When people want to experience the wild side of Assam, the first thought is offcourse about Kaziranga National Park. And offcourse, Kaziranga deserves all the fame and love. But many people doesn't realize that, just a short drive from Guwahati, around 40 KMs away, is another gem, The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Often referred to as the Mini Kaziranga by locals and few knowledgable tourists alike, this smaller abode of animals is worth the visit. Infact, the most interesting part about visiting the sanctuary is, you don't even need to get inside the sanctuary to witness the wildlife at its grandest. Just a short drive across the inter district Pobitora Road, which cuts in between the sanctuary will readily give you a full view of the animals in their natural habitat. Herd of Rhinos feeding in the grass, wild buffalos resting and gazing at you while rolling in mud. And not to mention the array of birds, that flock here, the area around the forests being a hub of Migratory birds.

The best way to reach Pobitora is perhaps renting or fetching a personal vehicle, and take a drive from Guwahati. Public transport is quite scanty and hard to find in this part.

AMSOI FOREST & SHIVAKUNDA WATERFALLS

When speaking of hidden gems, this places probably bags the award for the most secretive, hard to find, beautiful and peaceful place. Just around 80 KMs drive from Guwahati city, this forest range is tucked very carefully amidst the canopy cover of the Forests of Amsoi. Amsoi is a place most people, even many people in Assam has never heard about. Its a small area, with few inhabitants flanking on the borders of the Forests, especially inhabited by the people of indigenous Tiwa tribe. If you move across the single kutcha road that cuts across the forest, you come to a clearing, with a small bridge running over a stream. Follow the trail from the bridge until you reach an Ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is just alongside the little temple, that a small waterfall makes its way. It is very peaceful to just listen to the harmonic sound of water slowly gushing from the falls and making its way across the stream. But be mindful of your steps, as it is quite slippery on the rocks as well as be careful to not step on the temple land.

You need to opt for a rented or personal vehicle, to reach Amsoi, as Public transport to this place is next to impossible.

UMANANDA ISLAND

You must be all familiar with Majuli Island of Assam, which is the Largest Riverine Island in the world. However, it must be surprising that, Assam is also home to the Smallest Riverine Island, Umananda or Peacock Island. Yes, we have the Largest and smallest Island, both. Surprisingly, Umananda unlike Majuli, is situated a handful distance away from Guwahati, infact it sits right in the Mighty Brahmaputra river, in between North Guwahati and Mainland Guwahati. Due to the presence of the ancient Shiva Temple built during the Ahom era, people, devotees and casual tourists alike flock this beautiful island. You will be definitely be mesmerized by the beauty of the Island, the smell of sweet, aromatic flowers and incense burning in the temple's altar. This will also give you an opportunity to witness the Golden Langur monkeys, native to Assam.

Reaching the Island is a matter of just 10 minutes ferry ride from Brahmaputra Ghat in Guwahati.

There are much more such places, spread across Assam, many near Guwahati. I didn't probably mention earlier, but Guwahati is my hometown, and it has been a real pleasure on ellucidating these places which owns a special place in my heart and played a major role in my life, from Childhood till right now.

So, what are you waiting for, the tickets for Guwahati and Assam is awaiting you, so is all these beautiful places. It is really not prudent to elongate this wait. I would like to extend you a hearty invitation to this beautiful land, my home, and hope that you have a safe, and beautiful trip.