Silghat, Nagaon’s favourite weekend getaway

Aug. 18: Every winter, a few bored individials or some of the more enthusiastic, or the budget traveller, the impromptu picnicker and everyone who has nowhere else to go descend on Silghat — Nagaon’s favourite weekend getaway.

They arrive in swarms, carrying picnic boxes, mats, towels or simply a camera and turn Silghat hill on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra into a fair ground.

Never mind the fact that this picturesque temple destination in Kaliabor subdivision does not have a tap or even a decent place to sit.

After being flooded with complaints about the lack of facilities at this hilly picnic destination, which has two temples, Kamakhya and Trisuldhari, the district administration has chalked out a Rs 15-lakh Silghat beautification project.

“People who come here say that it needs a facelift. It is a beautiful place and can really attract tourists once it gets a touch of make-up,” a district administration official said.

The current plan includes two community halls for tourists, a water supply scheme, improvement of the approach road and a children’s park.

“Visitors have to drink the contaminated water of the Brahmaputra as there is no alternative source,” the official said. The new halls will be spacious, he promised.

Nagaon deputy commissioner J. Balaji said the project would be completed by this year so that it is ready before the picnic season begins. Work is expected to begin within a month.

People in Nagaon have long lamented how their very own Kamakhya temple has been overshadowed by the one on Nilachal hill in Guwahati.

In fact, the Ashok Astami melas held near Kamakhya temple, built by Ahom king Pramatta Singha in the 17th century, draws thousands every year. Yet Nagaon’s Kamakhya temple rarely figures in the state’s tourism brochures.

The other temple, Trisuldhari, is older than Kamakhya.

The district administration hopes that once the facilities are in place, Silghat will earn a place on Assam’s tourism map.

“Silghat is among the busier ancient towns. With the administration coming forward with this tourism project, we hope the town will soon get back its lost beauty,” said Kanak Hazarika, a resident of Kaliabor.