Guwahati Sept 28: “Aavo Padharo,” which means “welcome” in Gujarati, found its true meaning when a group of journalists from Gujarat visited various historical, architectural, and archaeological sites in Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Charaideo districts of Assam ON Friday, on the occasion of World Tourism Day, celebrated globally on September 27 every year.
The delegation of journalists is on a seven-day tour of Assam, which started on September 23, and will culminate on September 29. The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Guwahati, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, organized this press tour to allow journalists from Gujarat to understand the cultural, natural, industrial, and infrastructural development in the state.
The group of journalists visited the under-construction bronze statue of Lachit Borphukan at Hollongapar in the Jorhat district. The statue, also known as the “Statue of Valour,” was recently unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statue is part of the Lachit Moidam Memorial and Cultural Complex, which is expected to be completed by July 2025.
The complex will include the Lachit statue, a Tai Ahom Museum, a Lachit Museum, an auditorium, and more. Work commenced in January 2023.
Once completed, the statue will become an iconic landmark, further boosting the tourism potential of Assam, particularly in the Jorhat district. The statue commemorates the grit, valour, and determination of the Ahom General Lachit Borphukan, who repelled Mughal attacks at the Battle of Saraighat. The statue is expected to be completed soon, as construction is progressing rapidly.
The team also visited Sivasagar, known for its numerous architectural, archaeological, and engineering marvels from the Ahom Kingdom. The delegation explored the Rang Ghar, Asia’s first amphitheatre or pavilion, built during the reign of Swargadeo Pramatta Singha in 1744 AD. This two-story building is a significant monument in Sivasagar and attracts tourists from all over Assam and India. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Directorate of Archaeology currently maintain the monument.
Officials from the state tourism department briefed the media about the historic importance of Rang Ghar.
Media personnel from both print and electronic outlets are part of the delegation. The team also visited Talatal Ghar, another significant monument built during the Ahom period.
Later in the day, the journalists visited the Charaideo Moidams, which were included in the UNESCO World Heritage list in July. Moidams are burial mounds of the Ahom kings, queens, and nobles. The word “Moidam” is derived from the Tai word “Phrang-Mai-Dam” or “Mai-Tam.” “Phrang-Mai” means “to put into the grave” or “to bury,” and “Dam” means “the spirit of the dead.”
Efforts to include this magnificent site in the World Heritage List began in 2021, which involved infrastructure development, conservation of the mounds, and preparation of a nomination dossier for UNESCO. The nomination dossier was submitted in January 2023, and declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site on July 26 during the 46th World Heritage Convention held at New Delhi.
Officials informed the delegation that when conservation efforts started, many of the mounds were found in a dilapidated state, having been vandalized as the Ahom Kingdom’s rule weakened. Presently, the site is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Directorate of Archaeology.
A museum is also being constructed and will soon be open to the public. This museum, maintained by Directorate of Archaeology, will display the life of Ahom King Sui-Ka-Pha and artefacts discovered during excavations of the mounds.
Regarding tourist inflow after the site’s inclusion in the World Heritage List, officials mentioned that the number of visitors has increased significantly and is expected to rise further.
Officials highlighted the challenges of conservation and maintenance, citing the region’s climate and geography as the biggest obstacles. The site, located at the foothills of the Patkai, experiences rapid vegetation growth, requiring constant clearing of grasses and weeds.
Despite these challenges, the site offers a unique architectural experience for visitors. Its location amidst the lush green Patkai foothills further enhances its appeal to tourists. The journalists from Gujarat were captivated by the site’s unique architecture and history.
