GUWAHATI WAR MEMORIAL

Photo Travelogue!


This is a pretty yet sombre attraction added since 2015/16 to the city's list of must-visit attractions within Guwahati city. Located at northern end of the very famous and historic Dighaii Pukhuri ( prasanti udyan ), it is dedicated as a mark of respect to the martyrs who fought for the nation overall ( without any specific war mentioned ), and sacrificed their lives. A visit to this place automatically musters pride and a feeling of patriotism in an individual. Largest of its kind, this war memorial is centrally located right in middle of the city, thus, is easily accessible. It has become popular of late and people visit it all the time - open from 11am till 8pm. There's no entry fee; although, there is a donation box where one can contribute if one wishes, for its upkeep. It looks different during the day, but visiting at dusk or night has another charm!


entrance...


replica of the famous 'amar jawan' of india gate @delhi...




primarily for deterrence, but , enemies beware...these can blow you up as well...


under the purple skies of dusk is the imitation of the famous Saraighat battle led by bir lachit borphukan...



a lone soldier made of bronze standing on guard...


Designed beautifully with attention to detail, the archtecture of the place is impressive. With an actual army tank and fighter jet ( that has actually been in battles ) donated by the Indian army and Indian Air Force on display near the entrance. It also has narration tiles on the walls depicting beautifully ~ scenes of various wars and conflicts fought for the nation by brave soldiers of Assam, especially world war 1&2, kargil, 1971, and indo-sino war of '65, with names of the soldiers and other details. There are also smaller display and monuments related to different units and divisions of Indian army and its soldiers.


view of the war memorial from outside...

It has a beautiful and well maintained landscaped garden, a walking track and many benches under the cool shades of the tree canopies where visitors can relax with the lake surrounding it, making for a perfect, peaceful and pristine setting. Do visit it it during daytime too as well as evening time and get the two very distinct and different vibes of the place.


Address : Fatick Chandra Rd, Latasil, Uzan Bazar, Guwahati, Assam 781001
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SAVE THE 200+ YEAR OLD TREES OF DIGHALI PUKHURI AND ELSEWHERE

My funda is simple - don't destroy if you haven't created it. If you can't be positive, don't be negative too. If you can't give happiness to someone, don't give unhappiness. If you have not planted a tree, you don't have right to chop it either.

And all the recent events have disturbed me and many tree or nature lovers like me at the core. First, I saw it happen during the chaos that occured in Aarey Colony, Bombay, when lots of trees were chopped mercilessly to make way for the metro-car shed. The govt unscrupulously chopped many trees while we could only look helplessly. Inspite of many protests, most of the trees were already mercilessly mutilated. When I had gone there I saw the area was hidden with huge opague iron tin sheets like a wall; and a peep through a hole broke my heart. A dump of tree remains lay on the ground. So, when the same thing was about to happen in Guwahati with the centenial trees surrounding the famous dighali pukhuri, my blood simply boiled. These trees are so old, none of us humans have that 'aukaad' even, yet, we try to chop them off without a care. They might live another few hundreds of years or so; so, do we really have the right to even touch them? Development is fine, but, not at such precious cost. These trees are forebearers of history, as they've been witness to the history unfolding in the region, they can't simply be chopped off so ruthlessly. After many protests that became an outpour of angst and emotions of the citizens a civil-resistence movement; and court notices, the CM has assured that the trees won't be touched and there'd be a new design, but, on my visit there I saw the sign with the typical 'green' construction net hiding the area, which tells another story. Lets hope the trees are not touched. I want development along with the trees - not one, without the other!


along wth this sign, almost 25 trees were earmarked for felling due to upcoming flyover project...


it'd be tragic to see those canopies go...



these trees are the 'beauty' and 'identity' of the area...




some of these trees are over 200+ years old ...


even to see a branch mutilated like this makes my blood boil...can't imagine if the whole tree is gone...






the Mahabharata-era’s Dighalipukhuri has been a living chronicle of numerous momentous historical events.

Join in the protests if you see something similar happening around you. There is no nature without trees. And protecting nature, protects us; and our future generations. So protect the existing trees and plant new trees whenever and wherever you can. Enjoy beautiful nature :-)


Address : Fatick Chandra Rd/GNB Road, Latasil, Uzan Bazar/Ambari, Guwahati, Assam 781001
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VISITING A TEA GARDEN IN LOWER ASSAM

Photo Travelogue :


When someone says 'Assam' scores of tea-gardens flashes in your mind. Since the British brought tea along with the tea growing adivasi labourers into the state, there has been no looking back. And although 'tea' was not orginally an Assam thing, Assam is now famous in the whole world for its tea. And if you're a tea lover from any corner of this world, chances are that tea has come all the way to you from the tea gardens of Assam. It is one of Assam's ( in India ) major products and is exported worldwide. Whole world loves Assam's tea because of its high quality, that is rich in aroma and has a distinct taste. However, we also know that its upper Assam that has most of the tea gardens and those famous heritage bungalows built during the British Raj. Tourists, on their visit to Asam, specially go to visit these tea gardens and such tours are always included and are a must in their itinerary. Many of these tea gardens allow visitors to watch the whole process ( from plucking to packaging ) along with an opportunity to buy and sip some of these famous tea or 'chai' in the gardens itself much to the delight of the visitors. Such tea tourism are quite popular. However, as most of these tea gardens are situated in upper Assam not everyone can make a trip due to time constraints. So how about enjoying a visit to a tea garden in lower Assam itself? And yes...close to Guwahati. Is that possible? Good news is that - Yes! There are quite a few of these gardens near Guwahati itself and one can enjoy the experience of visiting a tea garden not venturing too far. How cool is that?

So, it was quite suprising when I came across a few in lower Assam...that too so near Guwahati. I'm not sure about the quality or taste difference ( as lower assam is in different altitude than upper ), but, the gardens looked quite pretty as tea gardens usually do along with those large trees that shade the plants and its typical pluckers who carry those big baskets on their backs. In my recent outings I came across quite a few tea gardens namely ~ the Barduar ( 20 kms west of Guwahati near lichubagan, Palasbari and Jubai/Amchong Tea estates ( 20 km east of Guwahati near Satgaon/Sonapur ) and both were quite big. Infact, in the barduar garden I attenpted to pluck a few myself and it was fun. The gardens are on both sides of the main road and quite accessible. However on my return journey I caught a glimpse of another garden and it really caught my fancy. As though the garden was caling out to me..I just had to go and check it for myself. It was a private property, but with no one in sight I just went in. Not because of just the inviting tea gardens but the impressive views that beckoned from behind. Here's how I discovered the magic ;-)


I spotted this small path while returning to Guwahati...


it was so damn inviting, I could not resist...


I got busy admiring the views...hills, cattle grazing the open spaces...


and the hills far away...it looked so pretty...


thats when I noticed the sign on the right - rani tea estate, it said...

and lo and behold...

sprawling tea gardens stood right in front of me...


unlike upper assam where this could be a regular sight, spotting tea gardens in lower assam is a rarity...


my joy knew no bounds and I just stood there taking in the breathtaking beauty of it all...


the tea garden had lots of over growns at the edges...but then, when its green, I don't mind...


amchang and barduar tea gardens, a must visit if you are near Guwahati in lower assam.


Here is a list of few other Popular Tea Gardens to Visit in Assam :
1. Monabarie Tea Estate, NH-52, Monabari, Biswanath, Assam, 784167
2. Halmari Tea Estate, Khowang, Moranhat district, Dibrugarh, Assam 785669
3. Corramore Tea Estate, Khairabari Grant, Hatigarh, Darrang district, Assam 784524
4. Mangalam Tea Estate, Towkok Grant No.2, Assam
5. Ghograjan Tea Estate, Ghograjan Tea Estate, P.O. Lahoal, Dibrugarh, Assam 786010
6. Khongea Tea Estate, PO. Rajmai, Khara Haat-Demow Rd, Hiloidari, Assam 785662
7. Nonoi Tea Estate, Nagaon district, Assam 782101
8. Manohari Tea Estate, Manohari Tea Estate, Nogaghuli 1/177 Orr, Assam 786012
9. Nagrijuli Tea Estate, No.2.Piplani, Baksa district, Assam 781368
10. Harmutty Tea Estate, Doimukh Harmuti Road, Lakhimpur, Assam
11. Sapoi Tea Estate, Sapoi Tea Estate Directors Bungalow, Bhutiaali Gaon, Assam 784111
https://ttwd.assam.gov.in/frontimpotentdata/list-of-tea-garden-at-assam

Address : Rani Tea Estate, Rani, Assam.
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