Discover Assam: Unveiling the Charm of India’s Hidden Gem (2025)

Into the Heart of Assam: A Short Guide to Its Enchanting Appeal

Assam is a state located south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak river valleys in Northeast India, covering an area of ​​78,438 km² (30,285 sq mi). Assam derives its name from the word Asama, which means “peerless” in the now extinct Ahom language. The state shares its border with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur to the east; Tripura, Mizoram, and Bangladesh to the south; and Bangladesh, Meghalaya, and West Bengal to the west. Assam is best known for its tea and silk production. The state was also the first site for oil drilling in Asia. Assam is home to one-horned Indian rhinoceroses, which can be seen in Kaziranga National Park.

If you want to get full information about Assam state, then read this article completely in which you will be able to get important information about Assam’s history, art culture, language, tribes, and other information.

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Some interesting and important facts about Assam

• The capital of Assam is Dispur, while the largest city of Assam is Guwahati. The area of Assam is 78,438 km², which is the 17th largest state in India in terms of area. It borders all the northeastern states, and its international border meets Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

• Assam is India’s fifteenth most populous state, home to 31.2 million people.
  
  With roughly 49% of the population speaking it, Assamese is the state’s official and most widely used language.
• You will be surprised to know that till 2001, the population of Hindus in Assam was 64 percent, but due to the continuous arrival of Muslim infiltrators from Bangladesh, the proportion of Hindu population has decreased, and now Muslims dominate 10 districts of Assam.
• Majuli Island, formed by the Brahmaputra River in Assam, is the largest river-formed island in the world.

• India’s widest river, the “Brahmaputra,” also flows through Assam, some parts of which have a width of up to 10 kilometers.

• The largest number of wild buffaloes in India is found in Assam. Apart from this, most of the species of birds are also in Assam. Almost 820 types of birds and 190 species of mammals are found in Assam.
• The state is also home to the biggest weaving village in the world (“Sualkuchi”).

• India’s first oil reserve is located in Digboi in Assam state. Assam has the largest reserves of crude oil in India.

• Assam is the best and largest tea-producing state in India. It is number 1 in terms of tea production. It produces 55 percent of India’s and 16 percent of the world’s tea. Assam is one of the most progressive states in the country.

History of Assam

The history of Assam is very ancient; in ancient times, it was called Pragjyotishpur (Ja Pragjyotich). Assam is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. According to the Mahabharata, during the war, the king of Pragjyotishpur was Bhagdatta, who supported the Pandavas in the Mahabharata war at the request of Shri Krishna. During the Maurya period, the western part of Assam was part of the Maurya Empire, which was probably won by Chandra Gupta Maurya.

After independence, it was a large state whose capital was Shillong. On the demand of different states on the basis of culture, Nagaland was separated from Assam in 1968 and then Meghalaya and Mizoram in 1972. Dispur was made the capital of Assam after the state capital, Shillong, moved to Meghalaya.

Tribal tribes and local people of Assam

Numerous tribal communities continue to call Assam, a state in northeastern India’s hills, home. Assam’s tribal population accounted for 12.4% of the state’s total population in the 2001 census, rising to 15.64% in 2009. Scheduled Tribes (Hills) and Scheduled Tribes (Plains) are the two categories into which Assamese tribes are divided. With 18 major tribes, the larger Kachari group makes up a significant portion of Assam.

The people of Assam, with their beautiful scenery and vibrant customs, are the epitome of diversity in harmony. In terms of diversity in customs, culture, dress, and exotic lifestyle, the state is home to the greatest number of tribes.

Local language and religion of Assam

Assamese is the official and most widely spoken language of the state, followed by Bengali, which is the official language in Barak Valley, and Bodo, which is the most widely spoken language in the Bodoland Territorial Region.

If we look at the religious community of Assam, like other states of India, here also most of the people are Hindus, followed by Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists.

Arts and Crafts of Assam

It is a stunning hill state in India that is well-known for its natural scenery, arts, and crafts that showcase its diverse culture. Assam is well-known for its handlooms, ceramics, jewelry, and vibrant masks made from wood, cane, and bamboo. Unquestionably, bamboo and cane crafts are the most well-known, but woodworking and other crafts are also highly renowned. Assam has become a popular destination for people looking to add a touch of rusticism to their homes because of its metal crafts, which can be found in both household and religious items.

The vibrant tribal culture, which is still an essential component of the state, and the enormous tribal influence on people’s lifestyles are both reflected in the tribal masks and traditional painting styles. The traditional Assamese art of weaving is still practiced by Assamese women today in the handloom sector.

Culture and Customs of Assam

The activities of numerous cultural institutions and religious centers, like the Namghar (prayer hall) and the Satra (seat of a religious chief known as the Satradhikari), are connected to the cultural life of Assam, a state rich in diverse cultures.

There are both tribal and non-tribal tribes in the state of Assam, and each has a distinct culture and set of customs. Assamese adhere closely to the traditions that their forefathers established for their communities. These traditions are based on beliefs that date back thousands of years and have been practiced ever since.

In Assam, there are numerous customs surrounding weddings, births, deaths, and festivals that everyone must observe. Certain Assamese tribes adhere to traditions like the matriarchal system, which holds that the mother is the head of the clan and that her daughters will inherit her property. It will be passed on to her sister’s youngest daughter if there are no daughters.

Traditional Costumes of Assam

The Assamese wear very simple clothes and loom mostly by hand. Assamese women wear a motif-rich belt chadar or riha-belt, while Assamese men wear a dhoti-gamosa, which is their traditional dress; over this, they wrap a sheet known as a ‘seleng.’ Besides these, the garments worn by men are called Biri, Magardana, Matamoni, Kundal, and Lokparo, while the garments worn by women include Keru, Karful, Kharu, Argathi, Nalak, Keyur, and Nupur.

Apart from costumes, jewelry worn by Assamese women is usually hand-designed and made, depicting flora and fauna. People love to wear a beautiful and unique style of jewelry made of gold and silver, which are usually decorated with rubies or meena.

Famous Festivals of Assam

Like all other northeastern states, festivals are the core of Assamese life, and there is no shortage of festivals in the state. Bihu is the main festival of Assam. It is related to the agricultural cycle and is celebrated three times a year according to the various crop and planting seasons. Mohang Bihu, Kati Bihu, and Magh Bihu are three festivals that are celebrated by different communities with dances and rituals in their own unique way. Ambubachi Mela, Ali-e-Ligang, and Jonbil Mela, held at Maa Kamakhya Temple, are other major religious and cultural festivals of Assam that are celebrated with great pomp and gaiety.

Famous Tourist Places of Assam

• Majuli
• Guwahati
• Jorhat
• Shivsagar
• Manas National Park
• Kaziranga National Park
• Dibrugarh
• Dispur
• Kamakhya Devi Temple
• Orang National Park
• Sualkuchi
• Assam State Museum
• Uma Nand Island
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Best time to visit Assam

The best months to visit Assam are October to April. Assam sweats in scorching heat during summer; the state experiences high rainfall and humidity during monsoons. During October to April, the weather is pleasant with sunny days and cool nights, and rainfall is moderate.

1. Summer Season in Assam (April–June) The summer season is the most popular for tourists because tourists can participate in many activities during this season. During this period, the temperature is about 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, and the climate remains pleasant.
2. Monsoon season in Assam (July–September)—The monsoon in Assam lasts from July to September, and the average temperature is 28 to 32 degrees Celsius.
3. Winter season in Assam (October–March)—The winter season is the most pleasant time in Assam, as the temperature is very comfortable; the temperature here is between 6 to 8 degrees Celsius.

How To Reach Assam

You can choose a flight, train, bus, or any of your private means to go to Assam.

• How To Reach Assam By Flight

Assam is well connected to Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and other major cities of India through national and private airlines. Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport would be the best choice, which is around 20 kilometers from Guwahati city. Here you will find local resources.

• How To Reach Assam By Train

You can easily travel to Assam, as the railway hub of Assam, Guwahati Junction from Calcutta, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trivandrum is very well connected to other major cities of the country. Other railway stations in Guwahati are Kamakhya Junction, New Guwahati Junction and Azra Railway Station.

• How To Reach Assam By Bus

You can easily reach Assam by road. The state of Assam is well connected to all the cities of India by road. So you can also do your trip through bus very easily.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our brief introduction to Assam, I hope you’ve caught a glimpse of the magic this incredible state has to offer.  Assam truly is a destination that leaves an unforgettable mark on your heart.

Now, it’s your turn to share! Have you experienced the charm of Assam, or is it on your travel bucket list? ’d love to hear your thoughts, memories, or plans in the comments below. Please remember to share this post with other tourists and adventurers who would like to visit Assam if you found it enjoyable.

Stay connected for more stories, travel tips, and insights about this enchanting region. Until then, keep dreaming, exploring, and falling in love with the beauty of Assam! ✨🌿

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