Sivasagar Tourism And Travel Guide

With an assortment of incredible ancient monuments, artificial lakes and temples that bring back memories of the Ahom Regime and represent the town’s unique past, Sivasagar has a variety of tourist attractions like the Charaideo mound, that’s filled with nearly 42 of Ahom’s Royal Remains and Tombs, which stand witness to some exquisite craftsmanship of the historic era. Then there’s Rang Ghar, a royal amphitheater, a significant structure, which is also known as the ‘Coliseum of the East’. To know more about Sivasagar and places of interest from a tourism perspective, here’s a travel guide to help you.

By Air:

The nearest airport to Sivasagar is about 75km away in Jorhat and is relatively well connected to most parts of the country with regular flight services and daily at that. You can also fly into the Dibrugarh airport alternatively, that’s about 95km from Sivasagar. One of the best ways to reach Sivasagar is to take a flight from New Delhi to Dibrugarh and reach there in 2 hours & 35 minutes at an estimated fare of INR 4,600, and then make the onward journey to Sivasagar in an hour & 7 minutes by train.

By Train:

The nearest train station to Sivasagar is at the Sibsagar Town Railway Station, where there’s an excellent train network of both express and local trains. If you board a train from New Delhi, then there’s a train for Mariani Junction twice a day at an estimated fare of INR 1,000 and takes about 35 hours. From Mariani Junction, Sivasagar is roughly 60km/55 minutes by cab at an approx. cost of INR 900.

By Road:

The road distance between New Delhi and Sivasagar is about 2,102km and since there’s no direct line between the two destinations, it is best to take a flight from Delhi to Guwahati and then board a state transport bus to Sivasagar which takes roughly 8-9 hours at an estimated fare of INR 500. Alternatively, you can drive down from Dibrugarh and reach Sivasagar in about 51 minutes for just INR 850.

Getting Around:

With a number of state-run and private buses operating from nearly every major town in Assam and around Sivasagar, you will find plenty of transportation options in the city as well that include shuttles, three-wheelers, and cycle rickshaws. Should you wish to enjoy private sightseeing tours, it is best to hire a private taxi from a certified tour operator or cab agency locally.

Summers start getting dry and oppressive in Sivasagar from March through June with an average temperature of 25-38 degrees. Come July, and the weather’s ripe for monsoons with heavy rainfall till September. So the best time to visit the town of Sivasagar in October-November when it is rather comfortable and the town’s captivating with lush greenery.

Spring (March-May):

With an average temperature of 17°C at a minimum and 30°C at the maximum, the weather during spring in Sivasagar starts getting dry from sometime in March, leading to early summer. Spring is the perfect time in town to enjoy the local festival of Bohag Bihu and one of the best times to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities and sightseeing in Sivasagar.

Summer (June-August):

Summers typically begin in March in Sivasagar, with the heatwave ascending and temperature ranging between 25°C -38°C. It becomes unbearably hot, humid and of course draining to enjoy getting about the town during this time and hence really not the best time of the year to visit Sivasagar unless you’re someone who enjoys the warm weather.

Fall (September-November):

With an average temperature of 25°C -29°C, monsoons start taking over the season of summer from July, till the end of September. The town experiences heavy rainfall during this time. September through November is essentially the fall season, with the weather being wet and humid still. However, the rains do leave behind a sense of calm and make the town visually appealing during this season.

Winter (December-February):

December through February is winters in Sivasagar with dipping temperatures that range between 10°C-23°C and make it one of the best times to visit the town from a tourism perspective. With a pleasant climate and pleasant weather conditions, with rainfall at a bare minimum, the town’s rather beautiful and welcoming with its tranquil and picturesque beauty.

Festivals:

Sivasagar experiences a melee of colors and there’s a sense of excitement, vibrancy & feelings of brotherhood in the air during festivals. Each year in mid-January, the festival of Bhogali Bihu’s observed and is celebrated with great pomp and show. The mela has a variety of events like buffalo fights, the traditional game of boat race, Assamese cooking and a variety of cultural programs. The Bihu festival originated in this town. Known for its folk songs and folk dances performed by young women, Bihu’s celebrated in the month of April each year, right after the annual harvest, on the last day of the Puh month. You can also enjoy the Sivaratri Fair, yet another popular event in town, which is flocked by visitors in large numbers.

Sightseeing:

Experience the power and charisma of the Ahom Dynasty in the town of Sivasagar, witness their exquisite architecture which was well ahead of its time and enjoy visiting their historic monuments like the Tai-Ahom Museum with its interesting assortment of artifacts and sculptures. Visit the beautiful island of Majuli and become familiar with incredible keepsakes and information about the Assamese culture. Some other places worth a visit around the town include Aajan Pir Dargah that’s incredibly Divine and flocked by people of all religions and faiths from across the country to offer their respects and seek blessings. Sivasagar’s also known to be one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas, where the world-renowned Rudra Sagar and Galeki oilfields are situated in close vicinity.

Nature & Wildlife:

If you love activities that involve nature then visit the Sibsagar & Joysagar Tanks, where you can enjoy watching the migratory birds from the bird towers, explore the neighboring tea gardens and become familiar about tea plantation and processing. Enjoy the scenic beauty at the Kaziranga National Park which is just a couple of hours from Sivasagar. It’s the perfect place to experience wildlife encounters with a variety of animals like the wild buffalo, tigers, one-horned rhino, some rare bird species and also experience exciting elephant rides.

When it comes to food, rice is an essential part of meals in Sivasagar and delicacies here are distinct from the usual spices and rich cooking techniques that are resultant of flavored herbs and other ingredients, local to the town. From dishes like Tenga, Poitabhat to Khar, Pitika and Laska, in addition to a variety of snacks that gel well with the best Teas in town, you cannot really go without finishing your meals in Sivasagar without a Paan, that’s an essential part of the food culture. The Sky Chef Restaurant here is known for its scenic location and a variety of food items on the menu. Nawab Restaurant in Silchar is known for its delectable biryanis. Piccolo Hotel’s another popular joint in town for some delicious food.

Sivasagar’s known for its stone jewelry, while the best place to go shopping for souvenirs and keepsakes is in the Main Market. Some of the best-known stores for Assamese Jewellery in town include Riddhi Fashion for both jewelry and the local Mekhela Chador, Taraknath Jewelers, Bhagwati Jewellers, Moni & Sons Jewellers and Bhagwati Creations. You can also explore the masks, bamboo and cane artworks/furniture and textiles for a local shopping experience.