DEEPOR BEEL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY OR DIPOR BIL, GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :


Nature is something that always enthralls me. I feel happiest when I see water bodies and forests. Nature always assures that God is around with its magnificient creations always in sight, surrounding, to behold! Nature is always oh..so soothing...

Living away from Assam more than half my life, I was not aware of the beauty it held for quite long; and, only last few years I started exploring for real whenever I was in Assam. I started with the attractions near the city itself and Deepor Bill was always a top suggestion. So, I took it up. Incidently, I had passed by it several times already ( and unknowingly ) on my way to the airport. It lies on the way. But there's an alternate route around it that reveals its true beauty compared to the fleeting glimpses you see from the airport highway. And, that is truely mesmerising. It circles all the way via Rani and Gorchuk, meandering the banks of this vast natural fresh water lake surrounded by green hills. There is also a portion where the rail line crosses via the cliffs and approaches the lake...and goes through its midst making it quite a sight. I took both the routes i.e the airport and also the one via gorchuk...and enjoyed them both. Here's glimpses of the incedible lake in pictures. Enjoy :-)


via the gorchuk-rani route...


butter smooth, the roads are too good to drive and ride on...


faraway hills and forests accompany on all sides...


ah...that curve, when the the roads enters the lake area...


giving off visuals of the famous railway bridge passing through the lake...


meteka...


the main entrance...it was closd during covid...it has a watch tower to view the birds...yea, its a bird watching paradise too with lots of resident and migratory birds ( Storks, Ducks, Egrets and Herons, Kingfishers, Waterhen, Siberian Crane, Swallows and many more ) being spotted at various times of the year...



people and hawkers line up in this road...be sure to enjoy momo and bhuta when here, along with hot chai...


isn't it simply beautiful?


favourite bathing spot of elephants who come in their hordes from the surrounding forests...there are strict elephant corridors here...


the lake also supplies water to the city...


breathtaking and peaceful...dipor bill :-)


Dipor BiL, or Deepor Beel is stated to be derivative of the Sanskrit word dipa which means elephant, -r means "of" and bil means wetland or large aquatic body in Assamese language, inhabited by elephants. It is located to the south-west of Guwahati city, in Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam, India. It is a permanent freshwater lake, in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River, to the south of the main river. It is a vast expanse of water body and is not only a Ramsar site, but also is a Wildlife Sanctuary ( wiki ).
Address : Deepor Bill, Gorchuk-Rani Road or via Airport Road, Guwahati
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PRASHAANTI UDYAN, DIGHALI PUKHURI GUWAHATI

Photo Travelogue :


Almost every city in India ( and also world ) has a historic lake as a prime landmark and attraction; and, Guwahati boasts one its own as well, right in the middle of the city. Dighalipukhuri is an ancient lake built during the Ahom reign with almost 200+ year old trees surrounding it. Its a major tourist destination and very popular with locals too. One day I went exploring and it was quite a nice experience with its leafy canopies making it a nice and cool environment. It has undergone major changes over the years and is quite a popular recreational spot. On north-end of the lake, a small war memorial park has been recently added with an army tank and fighter jet ( both having being used in kargil war ) being displayed. Although, the surroundings are a busy area, with High Court, Judges Field and Fatasil playgrounds; and colleges like Hendique, Cotton and others around it, once you enter the lake premises you are automatically transported to another zone altogether; one that of greenery, serenity and calmness. Its location makes it easily accessible.




history before my eyes...




beautiful garden...


relaxing activity like boating is available...booking area...


war memorial...



On the main entry gate, south side of the lake is a park for kids that has games and a playground with affordable entry fee of Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for children. Its open till 8pm. There are many street food stalls outside the park that remain open till late night. Its a perfect place to hang out with friends and family. The lake also has an errie side to it, with many suicides having taken place over the years in it. It was also once reported as haunted, but, with increased commercial activity over the years around the area, such reports have declined. Although, a late night visit ( when everyone's gone ) can still give one goosebumps and a chill down the spine.

Dighalipukhuri is a rectangular man-made pond in Guwahati, about half a mile long. Dighalipukhuri is believed to have been built during the Ahom dynasty. The pond is said to have been dug by King Bhagadatta during the swayamvara of his daughter, Bhanumati. The pond's name comes from its length, which is dighal ( ong ). The legend goes that at the base of this tank are seven deep wells, which were used to draw water for various chores during the wedding. Later the King ordered a canal to be dug so that the tank was permanently connected with the River Brahmaputra, and due to the incoming waters from the river the tank itself grew longer. Subsequently all the later kingdoms, the Burman, the Kamata, the Koch and the Ahom, had used Digholi Pukhuri as a ‘Naoxal’, a place to keep their naval boats and probably where they also constructed them. The legendary Ahom general, Lachit BorPhukan had used Digholi Pukhuri to ‘hide’ his numerous boats, which he so successfully used against the larger Mughal ships during the famous Battle of Saraighat ( wiki ).
Address : Dighali Pukhuri Road, Tayabulla Road, Guwahati - 781001
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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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