CIC-GABHARU
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Tezpur is the headquarter of Sonitpur District and the most important city on the  north bank of  Brahmaputra River. It is a city steeped in mythology and folklore. As they say, it is a place where stones tell stories while valleys sing along. 

Situated on the bank of Brahmaputra River, adorned by lush green hills and hillocks, decorated  with parks and lakes; the city has been bestowed by nature with a beauty that never fails to captivate the mind of any traveler.

It is full of dreams that can be translated into reality by imaginative human hands.  

                                     The Legend of Tezpur                 Top

Tezpur literally means ‘the city of blood’, reminds  of the romantic legend of Usha and  Anirudha.    The  legend revolves around Banasura, the great Asura king of ancient Tezpur,   his  beautiful   daughter  Usha   and  her   friend Chitralekha.  The  princess saw a handsome prince in  her dreams and fell in love with him.   Chitralekha,  a talented artist,   not   only    painted   his    portrait   from    Usha's description   but  recognised  him  to  be  Aniruddha,  the grandson of Lord Krishna and ruler of Dwarka.  Using her magical powers, Chitralekha  spirited  Aniruddha away  to the princess' boudoir where  the  two  married each  other according  to  Gandharva rites,  without the  knowledge of the  king.   When   Banasura   learnt   of  the  clandestine romance,  he  imprisoned   Aniruddha,  which  led  to  the arrival of Lord Krishna   to rescue his grandson. A fierce battle followed and the entire  city  was  drenched in human blood, hence the name Tezpur,  i.e.  ‘the city of blood’ .

                                                                                                                                          Brief History                       Top

It was during the Mleccha dynasty or the line of Salastambha (from the last part of the 7^th Century A.D. to the 10^th century A.D), that the city was known as Haruppesvera or Hadapervara or Hadapesvara or Hatapesvara. The Tezpur Rock Inscriptions of Harjar Varma is of  829-30 A.D.   The Tezpur and the Parbatia Copper Plates of Vanamats (middle of the 9^th century A.D.), the Bargaon Grant of Ratnapala (circa 1035 A.D.) also reflect the city’s historical importance. Da-parbatia Door frame located at Da-parbatia near Tezpur is regarded as one of the excellent pieces of monumental art in stone in Assam.

Although the city lost its importance during the medieval era, it was soon to regain it when the British came. Considering its  strategic importance the colonial rulers first made it in to a garrison town.   Gradually it became an important   centre of trade and commerce, used  as a river port for the surrounding tea gardens and other colonial commercial ventures in the  hinterland. 

In 1835, Tezpur became  headquarter of Darrang District.

In the 1962 Chinese aggression, the city faced the apprehension of invasion, and bears a Memorial near the Circuit House as a testimony of that.

In 1983, the Darrang District was partitioned, and Tezpur became the headquarter of Sonitpur District.  
                                                                                                   

                  Tourist Spots in Tezpur Town           Top

Chitralekha Udyan (Cole Park) It is, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful places in Tezpur. Established by a British Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Cole in 1906,  the park has two massive ornamented stone pillars, and other  sculptural remnants . It was recently renovated and revitalized in 1996 under the stewardship of the then Deputy Commissioner, Mr.  M.G.V.K.Bhanu, IAS. It has water sports facility, walk ways, restaurant and  open air stage.

Agnigarh This hillock  on bank of river Brahmaputra  is the site of  legendary romance of princess Usha (the only daughter of king Bana) and Anirudha, grand son of lord Krishna. Usha was kept on this hillock which was surrounded by  fire, hence the name of Agnigarh. Agnigarh provides a panoramic view of the great river and Tezpur. Recently Agnigarh has been developed as a beautiful park by district administration. It has a  series of sculptures depicting the mythology ,open air stage, giant mushrooms  and  huge water fall .

Padum Pukhuri This is a beautiful lake with an island. The island has been developed into a beautiful park with a musical fountain. There is an iron bridge to take you to the island. On the lake one can boat.

District Museum at Dak Bungalow

Dak Bungalow  is an old and beautiful British era building in heart of the town. Recently it has been renovated and now houses the District Museum.

Ouguri hill

Ouguri hill on bank of Brahmaputra  river provides breath taking view of the mighty river and Tezpur town. There are huge rocks  on the top of the hill which add to the beauty of the hill. These rocks provide facility for rock climbing. There is a  giant statue of Kanaklata, legendary martyr of Quit India movement of 1942,on the top of the hill. Recently district administration started developing the hill in to a beautiful park.

·        Trimurty Udyan
This is a  park along Borpukhuri.   This has been named after the three jewels of Assamese  culture: Rupkowar Jyoti Prasad Agarwalla, Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Natasurjya Phani Sarmah.

·        The Hazara Pukhuri
It is a large tank in  name of Harjar Varman in Tezpur. It was excavated in the early part of the 9th century. 
 

·        Bamuni Hills The ruins of Bamuni Hills are famous for their exemplary artistic finesse. The sculptural remains date back to the ninth and tenth century A.D.

·        Da Parbatia  Ruins of the door frame of  Da Parbatia temple, a few kilometres away from Tezpur, is perhaps the finest and oldest specimen of sculptural art in Assam. Its carving is characteristic of the early Gupta school of sculpture.

Mahabhairab Temple :

The ancient temple of Mahabhairab stands to the north of Tezpur town. This temple is believed to have been established by king Bana with a Siva lingam. Formerly, this temple was built of stone but the present one is built of concrete. During the later years, the Ahom kings donated devottar land for the Temple and Pujaris and Paiks were appointed to look after the temple. The responsibility of management was in the hands of a Bordoloi or Borthakur .But now the affairs of the temple is managed by the Government through a managing committee headed by Deputy Commissioner. Sivaratri is celebrated in the Temple in a big manner.

Rudrapada Temple : To the east of Tezpur town, on the bank of river Brahmaputra the Rudrapada temple is situated. It is believed that Rudra ( Lord Shiva ) had left the print of his left foot (pada) on a stone found in the temple. It is believed that Mahadeva showed his real self to king Bana here. Rudrapada temple was later built by Siva Singha in the year 1730 A.D. The main temple was destroyed, due to erosion of river Brahmaputra.

Bhomoraguri It is a mammoth stone inscription made by the Ahom General Kalia Bhomora Borphukan, who planned to construct a bridge over Brahmaputra. Almost two centuries later, a bridge at the same site now stands completed. The 3.015 km bridge, named after the great Ahom general, connects Silghat of Nagaon district with Tezpur.

Nine lines Inscription of Harjjar Varma :

About 2 kms away from the heart of the town, close to the Rudrapada temple on the bank of river Brahmaputra the famous nine line inscription of Harjjar Varma (approximately – 815 – 834 AD) is seen. This inscription is of 829-30 A.D. This is found engraved on a stone. This inscription is archaeologically important.

Bhairabi Devalaya :

Bhairabi temple is situated on a small hillock on the bank of river Brahmaputra. It is in the eastern side of Tezpur. Tradition has it that "Usha" the daughter of King Banasur, used to offer puja to the Goddess Bhairabi regularly. Bhairabi is another form of Durga.. The temple we see here now, is newly built. There is no sign of the old temple. It is believed to be destroyed by various natural calamities. Ruins of old temple are lying scattered around the temple.

            Tourist  Accommodation at  Tezpur