Things To Do In Tezpur

Renowned as the cultural capital of the state of Assam, Tezpur’s socially diverse with an assortment of Assamese, Bihari, Nepali, Bengali and Marwari groups with a mix of tea tribes, Mishings and Bodos. One of the most popular attractions in Tezpur is its rich past, forests, wildlife and temples, in addition to its tea plantations. Further, its rolling gardens with a number of national parks and forestry attract a lot of tourists to the town. Being the trading hub for tea, other crops and rice in the neighboring areas, Tezpur is home to Tezpur University, Tezpur Law College, IIS (Indian Institute of Science) Electrical Engineering Facility and Darrang College. Here’s a snapshot of things to do when visiting Tezpur.

The Nameri National Park is situated on the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and is about 35km from Tezpur, sharing its territory with the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary in A.P. Established in 1978, in addition to the Pakhui Sanctuary, the National Park jointly spans an area of nearly 1,000km sq. of moist deciduous forests, filled with bamboo brakes and cane, with narrow strips of open prairies along the river and semi-evergreen belt. A birder’s haven with over 300 bird species, the Nameri National Park is intersected by the Jia-Bhoroli River and tributaries. The park’s usually closed for public during May and October and any safari during this period is subject to availability.

Padum Pukhuri is a picturesque island with a lotus pond that’s been developed into a lovely park structure with a musical water fountain. There’s an iron bridge that helps you reach the island. One of the most popular attractions at Padum Pukhuri is the toy train in addition to some water sports which include paddling and rowing. Padum Pukhuri is open for visitors 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm and it takes about 2 hours to explore the entire premise.

One of the 12 museums in the state of Assam, situated in the heart of the town of Tezpur, the District Museum was initially located inside the Darrange College and then relocated to Tezpur Sahitya Sabha and then set up permanently at the Historic British Dak Bungalow in 2002. With over 800 exhibits that consist of a varied range of sculptures, copper plate inscriptions, antiques, manuscripts, various crafts, Satra institutions and Ahom period cannons, the museum also houses authentic textiles of Assam and coins from the bygone era.

The Cole Park or Chitralekha Udyan is a beautiful park at the heart of the town, named after a popular character from the Agnigarh Love Story of Usha and Aniruddha. With a background of hosting drawing and painting competitions for schools, some noteworthy attractions of this park include a jet fighter model of Valiant MG21, the first supersonic aircraft from the Indian Air Force that’s adept at flying at Mach 2 and a large Indian map made of concrete that includes states from before the year 2000. You can also enjoy boating here at the lake where paddle boats and small rowing boats are permissible.

Located about 40km from Tezpur, the Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary is a fenced area that is spread roughly over 44 km sq. on the south bank of the River Brahmaputra and was declared a reserved forest way back in 1974. It was recognized as a sanctuary in 1995 and is a perfect natural habitat for a variety of animals, bird species, fish and reptiles. The sanctuary is a paradise for the migratory birds, as well as the fish species and reptiles. Some other birds found here include the black-necked stork, the Bengal Florican, the whistling duck, teal, mallard and mammals like the tiger, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pigs, Indian Rhino and an occasional herd of elephants.

Enjoy a half day’s visit to the Rangapara Monastery, a serene complex, about 45 minutes' drive from the wilderness of Mahseer. From enjoying a cup of tea with the Rinpoche to helping in sweeping of leaves or preparing lunch, the Rangapara Monastery’s lovely places for self-reflection, some quiet prayer time or meditation. There’s a Thakurbari Planters Club that allows visitors to drop in for a soda refreshment or drinks after a long day.

Renowned for their exquisite cotton and silk handlooms, specifically the Mirizen blankets and shawls, the traditional village of Mising is also known for its farms and fishing in addition to the cause of organic cultivation in the NGO Partner’s Initiative. A ½ day’s exploration here will introduce you to an authentic Assamese village like Baligaon which is not only culturally rich but will also help you become familiar with the daily lifestyle of the tribals.

A popular tourist attraction in Tezpur, the Ouguri Hills pose difficult adventures for climbers by way of their giant monoliths, located atop the Brahmaputra’s Banks. With some really gorgeous and captivating views, the town of Tezpur can be seen on one end and the River at the other, with a sculpture of Kanaktala (a martyr from the Quit Indian Movement Era). Visit the hills for rock-climbing as well as some sightseeing with family and friends.

Located on the banks of River Brahmaputra is Kanaktala Memorial Park, a hidden gem in the town of Tezpur, owing to its placement away from the main town. There’s a walking trail along the Ouguri Forest which is peppered with tall trees and isn’t steep at all despite being located atop a hill. As you reach the Forest Conservatory Office, you will be drawn to the beautiful décor, wood-carvings and concrete designs that represent the Assamese Heritage. The Park is excellent for exploration with a small garden spanning a few meters, seasonal flowers in bloom, the Kanaktala Sculpture and the presence of huge rocks that are spread around the park in no particular order, bringing out the essence of the locale.

A concrete road bridge, the Kolia Bhomora Setu is situated on the National Highway 715 and connects Assam and Arunachal Pradesh together. It’s a beautiful structure spanning 3km, surrounded by the Brahmaputra on both sides and is renowned for some romantic drives. You can look forward to some enigmatic sunsets and beautiful sunrises or enjoy a boat ride under the Setu to connect with the natural surroundings.