The welcome gate at Chagolia. A Telegraph picture

Dhubri (Assam), May 16: Next time you enter Assam through the inter-state border checkgate of Chagolia, look out for a toran (Assamese for welcome gate) that grandly announces that you are on Assam land.

Standing 25-feet high, it is hard to miss, but just in case droopy eyes interfere with your viewing pleasure, here are the vital statistics. Chagolia is about 30km from Cooch Behar town. The structure on a 26 feet X 7 feet pedestal is exquisitely crafted to tell the story of Assam’s rich cultural heritage.

Inaugurated by minister for planning and development Prithibi Majhi, the gate is the brainchild of the Dhubri deputy commissioner, Ganesh Kumar Kalita, and designed by the renowned sculptor, Biren Singha.

The decision to erect it on National Highway 31, shows a lot of thought too, since this highway connects Assam to the rest of the Northeast.

The structure took Rs 30 lakh to build, released by the state planning and development department, but is worth every paise.

“This unique marvel of art, culture, tradition and history of Assam would go a long way in welcoming the guests visiting Assam and other states of the northeastern region,” Majhi said.

Kalita said one would find several torans across the state, but the one in the district, which shares the inter-state border with Bengal, was a befitting one. “My sincere effort was to place one welcome gate at Chagolia which bears all the elements of art, culture, tradition and history of this region to give the guests arriving in Assam a glimpse of our rich art, This will help lure the tourists to our places of interest,” Kalita said.

On his architectural design, sculptor Singha said he had included elements from Dimasa Raj, terracotta of Asharikandi, bamboo and cane handicraft art of Assam, Shankari culture, Tai-Ahom, Bodo culture, pith-craft of Gouripur, Chitrabhagawati, mask art and various dances of Assam.

“This was one of the tedious jobs I have ever accomplished, as it had to be completed in nine months. Now it is up to the people to decide whether it is up to the mark. If it generates people’s interest, I will think that my work is honoured,” Singha added.