Tezpur - Assam
Discover Tezpur
Tezpur which is acclaimed to be the cultural city of Assam is also considered to be Assam’s oldest city. Lush green tea gardens and endless paddy fields, the feisty Brahmaputra river and distant snow-clad Himalayas, all come together to make a beautiful city which hides a turbulent past.
It is also known as the City of Blood, thanks to the battle between Krishna’s and Shiva’s armies for the rescue of Aniruddha, grandson of Krishna. The rather gory legend has it that so much blood was shed that the place was stained red – hence the vibrant buildings dotted around.
Things to do in Tezpur
- Climb up Agnigarh. One of the biggest tourist attractions in Tezpur is Agnigarh, a hill on the banks of the Brahmaputra River with a tall viewing platform offering amazing panoramic views of the town. A circular stairway leads you to the top of the hill where you can find sculptures depicting Usha’s abduction of Aniruddha (the grandson of Krishna) and the subsequent battle by Krishna to free them. Legend has it that the former fortress on the site was built by Banasura to keep his daughter Usha in isolation, and was surrounded by fire to prevent any visitors! The name Agnigarh comes from ‘Agni’ (‘fire’) and ‘garh’ (‘fortress’ or ‘wall’) in Sanskrit.
- Visit the Da Parbatia Temple. Dating back to the 6th century, the Da Parbatia is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Assam. The temple contains absolutely beautiful carvings in its doors and walls, and the main entrance with its intricate designs and floral patterns is a joyous sight to behold. The temple is listed as a protected site by the Archaeological Survey of India.
- Relax in Cole Park (Chitralekha Udyan). Recently renamed as Chitralekha Udyan, Cole Park, Tezpur is a picturesque park near the centre of Tezpur. The park is dotted with medieval stone carvings rescued from sites all over the region and has a lake with small rowing and paddle boats. There is also an engine-less Valiant MIG 21 jet fighter (the first supersonic aircraft for the Indian Air Force), a large concrete-made map of India and bumper cars.
The best way to see Tezpur
If you would like to visit Tezpur, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays? Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.
