Sonitpur, as ancient Tezpur was known in the olden days
is a city steeped in mythology, legend and folklore. The
City of Blood ('Sonit' of 'Tez' - Blood, 'Pur' - city) conjures
up images of the romantic legend of Usha and Aniruddha and
of the fierce battle between "Hari" and "Hara".
Old Darang became today's Sonitpur - Tezpur being the district
Headquarters of Sonitpur.
According to the legend, Darang was the capital of demon
King Banasura, an ardent follower of 'Bhairavnath', incarnation
of Lord Shiva. Usha, the beautiful daughter of King Bana
happened to see her love in her dream. Following the description
of Usha, her confidante Chitralekha portrayed it in painting.
The lover was none other than Aniruddha, Grandson of Sri
Krishna, King of Dwarka, who was finally found out and the
wedding of Usha and Aniruddha took place according to 'Gandharva'
tradition.
When it came to the knowledge of Bana he sent Aniruddha
to prison. To rescue his grandson Sri Krishna came from
Dwarka. In response to the call of his devout Bana, Shiva
also came there. When the appeal for rescue failed sword
fight ensured between Hari (Lord Krishna) and Hara (Lord
Shiva in the form of Banasura), resulted in bloodshed in
the entire town.
Since then the town has been named as Sonit or Tezpur meaning
"A blood stained town". Bana was vanquished and
Usha and Aniruddha were united forever. Usha and Aniruddha
settled on the Bamuni hill, 5-km away from the city. The
ruins and remains of "Agnigarh" where the immortal
romance blossomed still bear mute testimony of this legend.
Prime Attractions
The Mahabhairav Temple
The main market, Chowk Bazaar, is on MC Road roughly 1-km
north of the tourist lodge, with the ancient Mahabhairav
temple, dedicated to an incarnation of Shiva, still further
north.
Agnigarh
1-km east along the river Brahmaputra, the hill of Agnigarh
commands great views over the town and river, and is said
to be the place where Asura imprisoned his daughter, Usha.
Preserving the sweet memory of young lovers, Agnigarh or
the rampart, surrounded by fire, is perhaps the most beautiful
tourist sport of Tezpur. According to legend princess Usha
the only daughter of King Banasura was kept inside the palace,
which was surrounded by rampart of fire.
Da-Parbatia
There is little left of Da-Parbatia temple, 6-km west
of town, except its finely carved doorframe depicting Ganga
and Yamuna, said to be the oldest specimen of religious
art is Assam. The ruins of the doorframe of Da-Parbatia
Temple are perhaps the finest and oldest specimens of sculptural
of iconoclastic art in Assam. Its carving has the characteristic
of the style of early Gupta School of sculpture. The doorjambs
having two Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna standing below with
garlands in hands in artistic pose and elegance are decorated
with beautiful ornamental foliage.
Bamuni Hills
The ruins of Bamuni hills are famous for its artistic
beauty. The sculpture remains, which had been dated back
to the 9th and 10th century AD, now lie in the Cole Park
and Missionary compound.
How to Get There
Air:
The nearest airport is Saloni about 10-km from Tezpur.
Rail:
The nearest railway station is Rangapara 60-kms from Bhalukpong
and 65-km from Orang Wildlife Sanctuary.
Road:
The state bus stand has ASTC buses to Guwahati via Kaziranga
continuing to either Tinsukia or Dibrugarh. Other services
run to Sibsagar, Shillong and Siliguri. APSTS buses run
to Itanagar and Bomdila via Bhalukpong. Private bus companies
also operate from opposite side of the state bus stand and
run luxury buses to the same destinations once or twice
daily.
