Sibsagar Sightseeing, Quick Facts, History, Packages, Tours & Excursions

Sightseeing Highlights

The ancient capital of the Ahom Kings is at Charaideo, 28 kms east of Sibsagar. It was built by King Sukhapa the founder of the dynasty in 1229. Charaideo is famous for its pyramid-like tombs of the kings and members of the royal family, built of stones and bricks. Gaurisagar is a historical reservoir fed by spring water and built by Queen Phuleswari in 1723. It is 16 km south of Sibsagar and on its banks stand three temples dedicated to Durga, Shiva and Vishnu.

Visit the splendid Gargaon Palace, 16 km away, which was built by Raja Suklemnung in 1540. It was later expanded to a seven storied structure by Rajeshwar Singha in 1762. Joysagar Tank is another famous reservoir in the area and was built at Rangpur in 1697. The tank covers an area of 318 acres only half of which has water now. On its banks are  Vishnu, Shiva, Devi and Ghanashyam temples.

Talatal Ghar is an intriguing structure that was built underground for the garrison, by King Rudra Singha in 1699. It is 6 km away from Sibsagar.  The building has three levels, the lowest being connected to the Dikhow River by a tunnel. Rang Ghar is the oval-shaped pavilion where the kings watched elephant fights and other sporting events.

You can explore Kereng Ghar, 9 kms away, which is a seven storied palace with three underground floors connected to the river by underground tunnels. The palace garden is also very beautiful.

Around Sibsagar

Make a day trip to Jorhat, 55 km away which is the centre of the tea industry. Visit the lush green plantations and the Teklai Experimental Centre, where research is carried out on tea.

Dibrugarh is 76 km from Sibsagar and is one of the best places to experience the mighty  Brahmaputra river at its best.

Visit Kaziranga National Park, which is about 150 km from Sibsagar. This is a World Natural Heritage site, and the best place to see the Indian one-horned rhino, as well as elephants, buffaloes, a variety of deer and other animals and birds.

Sibsagar is a city with a rich and ancient cultural heritage. It was the capital of the Ahom Kings who ruled Assam for 600 years, until the British took over power in 1826. One can still find the archaeological remains, palaces, and temples of the Ahoms, which are now preserved as national monuments. The city is centred around an enormous 129-acre lake called Sibsagar Lake, after which it is also named. The lake is around two centuries old. Sibsagar is about 150 km east of Kaziranga National Park. Today it is a rapidly growing commercial, industrial and educational centre, and is an important hub for the tea and petroleum industries. Sibsagar is easily accessible from the various airports of Jorhat, Dimapur, and Tezpur. The National Highway 37, the main artery of Assam, connects Sibsagar with Guwahati and Kaziranga on one side and Dibrugarh on the other.