A view of the Clock Tower, Dibrugarh

DIBRUGARH

Dibrugarh a prominent city of Assam standing by the side of the mighty river Brahmaputra is the headquarter of the Dibrugarh district. The name Dibrugarh is derived from the river named "Dibru" which used to flow to the south of the city. Formerly during the Ahom rule Dibrugarh  was  known as "Dibarumukh". Dibarumukh is more popularly known for the Ahom Chutia war.   During     the decisive   Before 1976 the jurisdiction of Dibrugarh as district headquarter was up to Lakhimpor to the west and Tinsukia to the East.   It is one of the oldest city of India and experiences the British colonization after the treaty of Yandaboo in 1826.

Dibrugarh was the easternmost army base during the British rule in India. Modernization of the place is initiated by the onset of the British in Dibrugarh. Industrialization, administrative and judicial set up and reforms were highly experienced by this place. Major part of the original Dibrugarh town was eroded and engulfed by the river Brahmaputra in the year 1950.  The relic of the same are still standing proudly at various part of Dibrugarh.    

The pleasant climate, mixed culture, and natural beauties have always attracted tourist of various part of the world to this place. Having well connected to the other nearby states and countries Dibrugarh, a confluences of people from  various eastern part of the country takes place seeking for higher education, trade and tourism. The following posts overviews the scenic beauties, monuments, culture and other facts that fascinate the travelers around the world in Dibrugarh.    

Raidongia Dol

RAIDONGIA DOL

It is the only ancient monument of the Ahom kingdom in Dibrugarh District, situated about 22 km from the heart of the city in a place called Lezai under sub-division Borborua. A historic road namely Raidingia road starting from the Lezai-Kolkhuwa road links the temple from the main road, which is situated to the North side of the Raidingia road and to the West of the main Lezai-Kolakhuwa road.

The foundation stone of the temple was laid in 1742 by Paramatta Singha, who used to be the Swargedeo (King) of the Ahom Kingdom at that time (1744-1751). The temple is said to be offered as dowry in the name of his beloved sister Zamini, who got married to the Raidongia King who assumed to be the head of the present Lezai region at that time. The construction of the temple was completed bythe end of 1750 with the support of the local villagers. Originally there were all total of 200 acre land was there in the name of the temple and a pond dug at that time still remaining by the side of the temple. 

Inscriptions in the Temple

There are lots of inscription depicting various god and goddess and their forms all around the lower part of the temple. The inscriptions were made in rocks and close study of the inscriptions gives a clear idea of the Dashavatara (i.e. Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, buddha and Kalki) described in the Bhagavad Gita.The temple was constructed using traditional raw materials like duck egg, pulses, rice grains etc. The top dome is marked by brass plate having four projected trishu 

The dome of the temple

Regularr ritual activities were carried out in the temple by the preset residing there in the name of  Lord Siva. And every year in the Mahasivaratrii, a great festival in the name of Lord Siva observed in the 14th day of Krishna Prakashk of the Falgun month according to the Hindu Calendar. Devoted persons and pilgrims from various part of the world comes here at that occasion to  have the blessings of Siva.

Surrounded by the paddy fields which are often the place of various migratory birds enthralls the visitors to the place. 

BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER BANK

A typical ferry operating in river Brahmaputra

The mighty river Brahmaputra originates from the Angsi Glacier in Tibet, passes by the side of Dibrugarh city. The majestic view of the river bank from various part of the city are places and pleasant environment attracts people to spend time by the clam and bold nature of the river. The embankment offers far visibility of the area, thereby adding scenic beauty. Various ferry terminals are there with regular service connecting the other side of the bank, including Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Arunachal Pradesh. Among them Maijan ghat, Mohana ghat, Bogibeel ghat, Puja ghat are noteworthy.  

  

A Tongi Jal

A Potter

The river supports livelihood for thousands of people.  Fishing is one of the major activities. Various traditional fishing methods can be experienced along the bank of the river, varieties of fishing net (Jal) like Tongi jal, Kherali jal, Fasi jal , fishing tools like hooks, Dingora, posa etc. Are used by the fisherman which have always fascinated travelers visiting the bank. Various cottage industries like pottery can be seen by the river bank. Pottery is considered as the age long tradition of human civilization and remains a major cottage industry of Assam.Two types of the potter community exist in Assam; Kumars and the Hiras and the business are their hereditary persuits. Kumar community potters use feldspar wheels in their pottery industries. But the Hira communities don't use the wheel and mostly the women are involved in the business and the male fetches the raw materials. However, only the Kumar community potteries are only seen by the side of river Brahmaputra.    The extraordinary art of pottery, the brilliant colors of the ceramic products, aesthetic appeals, unique techniques and  the  skillfulness  of  the potter are always an  area  of  interest, and there is always a desire to try a hand on of the technique whosoever have visited the potteries. The eco friendly products are exported to various part of the country for various occasions and as a decorative items. Common potter products are pots, pitchers, plates, tea cups, coin collector, oil lamps (diyas) and some fancy articles. The pottery products vary from season to season owing to the requirement of custom designs and the festive season due to the honor of the pottery products in various ritual activities. The preservation of the heritage industry, craftsmanship, community identity, custom  and their adore for nature is highly appreciable. 

Pottery Products

CHINESE CEMETERY

The main pillar of the cemetery

The Chinese Cemetery in Dibrugarh is situated at Paltanbazar, which was built in the year 1937 by the Chinese people residing in Assam for the ritual burial of their expired members. The cemetery comprising of mostly open spaces bordered by walls and a headstone representing a pillar standing to the east end of the cemetery.

By the advent of British to Assam and after the discovery of tea, they brought Chinese workers and artisans for engagement in the tea gardens by late 1838. Many of these people married local women and mingled with the society and remained here as their homeland. 

All of the Chinese origin people residing in Assam are cremated in this cemetery. The letter engraved in the pillar denoted the name of the first person buried there. Before World War II there were having to be closed boxes near the pillar, where the remaining bones of the dead bodies and their belongings were washed with their traditional wine and after writing the full name of the person were securely locked in the boxes. But during the World War II the boxes were destroyed and the tradition is no more followed today. Although the ruins of the boxes are still there by the side of the main pillar.

The Chinese have a tradition of having the cemeteries near some big rivers and therefore the cemetery in Dibrugarh was built in Paltanbazar  adjacent to the river bank of Brahmaputra. Although the cemetery  was established in the year 1937, the main entrance gate and the boundary walls were built in the year 1950.

Ruins of the boxes

Chinese people from different part of Assam are still buried in this cemetery. And every year on the first week of April a community ritual ceremony is organized for all the people that have been buried there. The cemetery is currently under the care of All Assam Chinese Welfare Society, having its head office at S.K Point, Hotel Hong Kong, Tinsukia (Assam).

The main entrance gate

*Source

Interview with  John Wang (Wnng Shing Tung), President AACWS

By Gaurab and Sankar.