A huge artificial tank, constructed by Queen Madambika
in 1734, lies at the heart of the complex. Rising from its
southern shore, the massive plain 32-metre-high Shivadol
is the tallest Shiva temple in India, flanked by smaller
temples dedicated to Durga and Vishnu. Pilgrims come from
all over the state visit this temple during the Shivaratri
festival. On the western shore of the lake next to a park,
the Tai Ahom Museum contains a few ill-labeled artefacts.
Modern Sibsagar is a fast developing town and is the headquarters
of the district of the same of name. The Eastern Regional
Headquarters of the Oil and natural Gas commission is located
at Nazira only a few kilometres away from the town.
Prime Attractions
Kareng Dhar & Talatal Ghar
A seven-storied place having three storeys underground
is known as Talatal Ghar and the upper storey is known as
Kareng Ghar were built by King Rudra Singha (1696-1714)
and are situated 6-km away from Sibsagar town. There were
two underground tunnels from the Talatal Ghar connecting
Dikhow River and Gargaon place, which were later blocked
by the East India Company.
Rang Ghar
A two-storied oval shaped pavilion from which Ahom royalties
watched elephant fight and other sporting events. It was
built by King Parmatta Singha (1744-1751) and stands close
to the Kareng Ghar.
Gargaon Palace
Gargaon, the principal town of Ahoms built by the XV King
Suklenmung in 1540, lies 13-km east of Sibsagar. The old
palace was destroyed and King Rajeswar Singha rebuilt the
present seven-storied palace around 1762.
Jaysagar Tank and Temples
The tank was built by King Rudra Singha in memory of his
mother, Joymoti, a patriotic martyr in 1697 at Rangpur (5-km).
It covers an area of 318 acres and on its bank 3 temples
were built in 1698 by the same monarch. These are the Joydol
(Vishnu temple), the Shivadol and the Devidol, which are
highly revered.
Gaurisagar Tank and Temples
The Gaurisagar tank was built by Queen Phuleswari Devi
(1722- 1791) and was dedicated to goddess Durga. It is covering
an area of 150 acres and enclosing Shivadol and the Vishnudol
temples. Gaurisagar is only 12-km from Sibsagar.
Rudrasagar Tank and Temple
King Lakshmi Singha built the tank in 1773 in memory of
his father King Rudra Singha. On its banks stand a Shiva
Temple and is situated 8-km away from the Sibsagar town.
Namdang Stone Bridge
The Bridge, cut out from a single solid rock over the
Namdang River is situated 12-km away from Sibsagar. It was
constructed by workmen brought from Bengal during the reign
of King Rudra Singha in 1703.
How to Get There
Rail:
Simaluguri, the nearest railhead, 20-km east, is served
by frequent buses from the junction 200m north, all passing
through Gargaon.
Road:
From the ASTC bus stand, 300m east at the junction of Hospital
road and AT road, one can find regular bus services to Jorhat,
Kaziranga, Guwahati, Tezpur and Tinsukia. The private bus
stand is situated across the road. Three daily buses serve
Charaideo from the Saheli stand, by the same junction. For
Gaurisagar, tempos can be picked up at the central market.
Other local destinations are best reached by auto-rickshaw.
