Angling will feature in the proposed eco-camps at Nameri national park

Tezpur, Nov. 15: Tezpur, the city of eternal romance, is all set to showcase its “infinite variety” at the first Tezpur Festival, starting on December 11. Organised by the Sonitpur district administration with the active support of non-governmental organisations and people’s participation, the festival is set to be celebrated with a five-day programme that will “spread the word” about the historical town. “We hope the fest will help put this beautiful town on the tourist map. A committee has already been formed to plan how best tourists from foreign countries can be attracted,” said Sonitpur deputy commissioner M. Ariz Ahmed.

“The task of acquainting those attending the festival with the indigenous culture and heritage of Assam as well as the ancient history of the town has been assigned to sub-committees,” he added. Tezpur is considered one of the most beautiful towns of the Northeast, steeped in history, and gifted with an enchanting landscape and a people who are hospitable, modern and yet proud of their traditions.

Two of the main highlights of the festival — that will “set it apart from many others of its ilk” — will be a vintage car rally, with cash prizes as incentives and a golf competition at the Planters’ Club of Thakurbari. During the fest, the spotlight will also be on a crafts mela of indigenous products, a fashion show of Assamese and local costumes, a food festival, angling competition, hunting and rafting. The organisers also propose to put up on show the indigenous dhoop competition and the historical hotspots for which Tezpur is famous. The Da-Parbatia door frame, which is the finest specimen of sculptural art in Assam that dates back to the Gupta age, the sculptural remains of the Bamuni Hills of the 19th century, the Bhomoraguri stone inscription of Ahom general Kolia Bhomora and the Chitralekha Udyan, famous for its sculptural relics and ornamental stone pillars, are some of the heritage sites expected to be highlighted during the festival.

“The Chitralekha Udyan would be the special draw since both the ancient and the modern exist in harmony here. Apart from ancient relics, the garden also boasts of lush green walkways, water sports facilities, et al,” said the DC. The Agnigarh Hill, site of the legendary romance of princess Usha and Aniruddha, Padum Pukhuri (lotus pond), Mahabhairabh temple — which houses the biggest Shivalingam in the world — and Poki, the ancestral home of Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad Agarwalla, are the other heritage sites of the town that the administration will focus on during the festivities.

Apart from conducted tours to some other places of tourist interest in the district, the festival will also feature marathon and adventure sports activities at the eco-camp at the nearby Nameri national park.

“For adventure freaks, the Jiabhoroli river is the destination. White-water rafting and angling in the river can be one of the finest experiences for any tourist,” said Ahmed.