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Places to Visit in Silchar – A Paradise on the Banks of Barak River

Silchar, located in southern Assam, is the second-largest city in the entire state. Situated on the banks of the river Barak, this lovely town is a delight to visit. The splendid beauty of Silchar can be attributed to its geographical location. The town is nestled between places like Manipur, Bangladesh, Mizoram and the Barail hills from the east, west, south, and north respectively.Silchar is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Assam and is frequented by tourists from across the country for a relaxing yet fascinating trip. Silchar tourist places are a perfect blend of rich history, pilgrimage, and scenic beauty. This town with numerous temples, hill stations and the ruins that highlight the ancient glory and history of the place is a must-visit for every travel enthusiast.

Silchar enjoys tropical weather with humid summers, charming monsoons, and pleasant winters. Winters are usually considered to be the best time of the year to make a visit to this place. Summers and sometimes monsoons may pose some challenges, but if you make up your mind to explore Silchar, the weather won’t hinder you in the least!

Owing to its natural beauty, ancient architectural wonders, and rich cultural heritage, Silchar has numerous tourist attractions located all over the town. Some of the best places to visit in and around Silchar during your trip are:

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Top 12 Places to Visit in Silchar:

  1. Maibong
  2. Hajo
  3. Khaspur
  4. Jatinga
  5. Maniharan Tunnel
  6. Kanch Kanti Kali Mandir
  7. Gandhibagh Park
  8. Umrangshu
  9. Bhuban Mahadev Temple
  10. Dolu Lake
  11. ISKCON Temple
  12. Salganga

1. Maibong

Located at a distance of about 137 kilometers from Silchar, Maibong is a popular hill station situated on the banks of the Mahur River. Maibong served as the capital  when the town was ruled by the Kachari kingdom. The palace here is known for its scenic landscapes, splendid architecture, carvings and scriptures of a bygone era. The major attractions of this place include the ruins of the old city of Kachari, which was once a flourishing kingdom. There are numerous ancient temples and waterfalls that are a must-visit while you are in and around this place. Some of these are Ramchandi temple, Longthaini Noh Temple and Maibong waterfalls.

2. Hajo

Hajo is a town on the banks of the Brahmaputra and is a prominent pilgrimage center for tourists across the country. The town houses pilgrimage sites from three major religions- Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. Hajo is famous for temples dedicated to the Hindu gods Durga, Shiva and Vishnu and the Powa Mecca Mosque which is a pilgrimage center for the followers of Islam. The most important temple of this land is the Hayagriva Madhava Mandir. The temple is of great significance for both Hindus and Buddhists because this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu is also believed to be the place where Buddha attained nirvana. Other temples that you must pay a visit to include Madan Kamdev Temple, Kedareswara Temple, and Deva Bhavana.

3. Khaspur

If you want to witness the glorious history and cultural heritage of Assam, you have to visit Khaspur. Located around 20 kilometers away from Silchar, Khaspur was the medieval capital of the Kachari kings. The major attraction of this place is the Kachari Fort.  Although it is in ruins now, it was once the royal seat of the Kachari kingdom. Other spots that attract tourists to this town are the sun gate and the lion gate.

4. Jatinga

Jatinga is a scenic hill station situated around 80 kilometers away from Silchar. The town is located amidst towering hills and lush greenery and is a great destination for a weekend getaway. The village of Jatinga gained fame because of the unusual phenomena of birds committing suicide seen here. The village also came to be known as the “The valley of death for birds”. Later studies revealed that the birds don’t actually commit suicide but are killed by the locals with bamboo poles. Nonetheless, Jatinga is one of the most popular hill stations in Assam and attracts tourists in huge numbers.

5. Maniharan Tunnel

This ancient tunnel located near Bhuvan hill is one of the major tourist attractions in Assam. It is believed that this tunnel was once used by Lord Krishna, as mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. There are numerous temples located in the vicinity of the tunnel dedicated to Lords Krishna, Ram, Lakshmana, and Hanuman. Also, the holy Tribeni river flows beneath the Maniharan tunnel. Each year festivals like Holi and Shivratri are celebrated near the tunnel and serve as crowd pullers.

6. Kanch Kanti Kali Mandir

This is one of the most renowned temples in South Assam and is about 11 kilometers away from Silchar. Kanch Kanti Kali Mandir was built in the 19th century by the then Kachari king. This beautiful temple situated in a scenic setting is a must-visit while you are in Silchar. The temple is dedicated to the mother goddess “Kanch Kanti”, who is believed to be an amalgam of two goddesses, Kali and Durga, and hence is considered very powerful. There are also other small temples located in the premises that you can visit.

7. Gandhibagh Park

Situated in the heart of Silchar, Gandhibag Park is a stunning park named after Mahatma Gandhi. The park is popularly known for the exhibitions and fairs held here regularly. The annual Gandhi mela is the most famous of all the fair and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. The fair is organized in January and various artisans display their beautiful handicrafts and handlooms here. The park is also renowned for the Martyr’s Tomb that stands in one of the corners of the park. This tomb was built to commemorate the 11 martyrs that were killed during the protests on 21st of February 1961. The protest was done by the Bengalis against the government’s decision of declaring Assamese the official language of the state.

8. Umrangshu

Nestled between the borders of Assam and Meghalaya, lies the pristine hill station Umrangshu. A famous tourist destination, this hill station provides a mesmerizing view of the valley with the splendid North Cachar Hills as its backdrop. The unmatched natural beauty of this place attracts tourists to this secluded haven located at a distance of 196 kilometers from Silchar. The major attraction of this place is a hot spring, the waters of which are believed to have medicinal properties. A visit to this beautiful hill station is sure to spellbind your senses.

9. Bhuban Mahadev Temple

This ancient temple perched on top of the Bhuvan Hill is an architectural marvel nestled in nature’s arms. This temple has idols of lord shiva along with goddess Parvati. This temple is visited by devotees throughout the year, but during Shivratri, the crowd increases two folds. To reach this temple, one has to trek up to the hill amidst surreally beautiful surroundings. The location of the temple provides an excellent view of the valley which is a delight to the eyes and the heart.

10. Dolu Lake

This gorgeous water body located near Silchar has a view to die for. The charming surroundings of this tranquil lake along with the pristine view of the sunset makes it an ideal spot to spend some quality time with your loved ones. A true delight for visitors, the Dolu lake is another spot that you shouldn’t miss during your trip to Silchar.

11. ISKCON Temple

Dedicated to lord Krishna and built and maintained by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) this temple is a popular tourist attraction in the region. The temple is known for its marvelous architecture and serene surroundings. Devotees from different parts of the world visit this temple to seek blessings. The festivals of Janmashtami and Durga Puja are celebrated here in full swing and attract devotees from across the globe.

12. Salganga

Another popular temple located in the Salganga village is the Salganga temple. It is situated around 22 kilometers from the town of Silchar on the way to  the airport. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and holds great significance for the locals of the area. Other places that you can visit during your trip to Silchar are Bhubaneswar temple and Badarpur fort.

How to Reach Silchar

Silchar enjoys great connectivity with cities like Kolkata and Guwahati as well as other places within Assam. You can reach Silchar via roads, trains, and flights. Though flights are the quickest and most convenient way to get to Silchar, you can still opt for the well-maintained road and train routes to get to this town. Regular buses are operated to and from Guwahati and Silchar. Silchar railway station is the closest railway head with trains operating from metro cities to Silchar. The Silchar airport, located at Kumbhirgram about 22 kilometers from the town is the nearest domestic airport that offers connectivity to major cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Bhubaneswar. The beautiful town of Silchar has a lot to offer to tourists. From the divine temple visits, a walk through history to a lazy evening by the lakeside, Silchar is the ideal destination for your next vacation. So, get ready with your bags and prepare yourself for a wonderful trip to this quaint town.

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