BONGAIGAON DISTRICT

Bongaigaon is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. The district headquarters are located at Bongaigaon. The district occupies an area of 2510 sq.km and has a population of 7,32,639(2011 cesus). The decision of the Government of Assam in 1989, to create a new District of Bongaigaon curving out some areas of the Goalpara and Kokrajhar District with its headquarter located at Bongaigaon. On 29 September 1989, the creation of Bongaigaon District was declared by the Government of Assam with its headquarter at Bongaigaon. This decision to create a new  District, Bongaigaon was quite challenging because the very idea to create such a district was neither a long standing one nor a tested one.  Moreover, the decision to set up a district headquarter at Bongaigaon was more challenging as there was no Sub-divisional infrastructure in this town, whereas the other newly created district head quarters of Assam had Sub-divisional infrastructures of their own.  In the absence of such basic infrustructural facilities, the initiation of the activity of the district headquarter was almost started on the street, which was not only challenging task but also novel one. The major portion of the areas of erstwhile Bijni and Sidli estates along with tracts of Eastern Duars was curved out of Goalpara and Kokrajhar District in October, 1989 in order to create a newest district of Assam, i.e. Bongaigaon.  Although the logistic behind  the creation of this new district was no doubt an administrative one but the political as well as economic exigencies were also responsible behind its creation. Bongaigaon district is surrounded by four districts namely Barpeta in the East, Goalpara in the South-East, Kokrajhar in Westand Dhubri in the South-East. Bhutan forms an international border with Bongaigaon district in the Northern part which is about 100 km from Bongaigaon HQs.

On naming the district: The name of Bongaigaon town and district is the elongation of a fig and old village named Bongaigaon alias Bong-ai-gaon situated on the southern border of the town. According to hearsay (1) in the long past there were plenty of wild(Bon) Cows (Gai) in the surrounding hilly and forest areas. So, the villagers assembled time to time to drive away the wild cows for protecting their crops. Thus this area was popularly known as Bon-Gai-Gaon. (2) In that big village areas there dwelt one nature-poet named 'Bong' (Bong Roy) who could induce laughters to all his bye-standers with his cryptic but harmless oral composition describing the situation on the spot and in return he could collect grains or coins voluntarily offered by the audiance. This was his only source of income and profession. Thus his areas was roughly identified as the village of Bong(Ray) i.e. Bong-er-Gaon=Bongaigaon that is in course of time. This Bongaigaon village area was famous for orange fruits which were sold inter-alia other agricultural products in the nearest market named Birjhora Bazar located at the heart of present Bongaigaon town.The word Birjhora was derived from Bir+Jirowa(Jirowa means resting place) of Bir(hero). It is held that the noble hero Chilarai took here rest for about two months during rainy season at the time of his invading the neighbouring Kingdoms of entire north-east India.

The People: From the chequered historical background of this district, it can easily be surmised that the entire area was ruled by Kings/Zaminders/Feudal Lords hailing from the Koch-Rajbonshies belonging to Indo-Mongoloid ethnic group of  peoples right from 15th centuary to the end of princely states in 1956 A.D. The kings of this area had their hoary past and can be traced back to the "Kiratees" of epic age(Mahabharata fame) that is pre-vedic age. These Kiratees of dimpast are also mentioned in Kalika Puran and Jogingi Tantra and also in histories written both by native and foreign schoolers. Naturally Koches alias Koch-Rajbongchies and Kocharies are the original sons of the soil of this new district. Ravas, Garos, Yogis,Kalitas, Kayasthas and older Muslims are also indegenous who settled in this part of land prior to the advent of Britishers in North East Region.After advent of British Govt. in this part of land , a new term named Bodo/Boro was coined deliberately by European historian.According to them the word Bodo/Boro is a generic term and its species are  (i) Kocharies (ii) Koches (iii) Rabhas (iv) Garos (v) Lalungs (vi) Hajongs and (vii) Chutiyas.

Attractions: The scenic beauty of Bongaigaon is well preserved. Although, the town is being developed, the natural habitat remains largely untouched. The town park is open for residents as well as tourists and is well located in the heart of the city. Bagheswari Temple and Bageswari Hill are also two attractions for the visitors. There are other developments such as expansion of roads and improvements in drainage.

Apart from these there is one more tourist spot near Abhayapuri about 15 kilometers from Bongaigaon town well known as 'KAYAKUJIYA BILL' ,a project undertaken by Assam tourisim development corporation. It's scenic beauty is charming and it attracts thousands of local & foreign tourists every season. It's having small islands in a vast waterland with varieties of flower gardens and consist numorous flora & fauna.

Bagheswari Temple (Bagheswari Hill, Bongaigaon Town): Bageswari Temple, one of the oldest in Assam, is situated on the top of a hill called Bageswari Hill which is at the center of Bongaigaon town. The hill also houses an ancient Shiva temple inside a stone cave and Baba Taraknath Temple.

Jogighopa and Pancharatna : Jogighopa and Pancharatna are two historic sites situated on either banks of Brahmaputra River, in Assam. Pancharatna lies on the southern bank and is about 160 km west of Guwahati by road and Jogighopa lies on the northern banks and is about 212 km from Guwahati by Northern Highways. Some cubicles which are cut in steep rocks, supposed to have been used by monks for meditation in the medieval period, are found here. Most of the caves found here are very small. Pancharatna boasts some ruins of a post Gupta temple and also some rock-cut ruins including a monolithic Buddhist Stupa.

Kachugaon Game Reserve : Kachugaon Game Reserve is located at Kachugaon in Bongaigaon District of Assam. It is a protected area under the forest department of Assam. Kachugaon covers an area of around 214 sq km and has rare and endangered species such as gaur, golden langur, spotted deer and elephant.

KakoiJana Reserved Forest (For Golden Langur and Birds) : An ideal spot for eco-tourism, Kakaijana was declared as a reserve forest in April 1966. Located 15 km from Bongaigaon town towards the east, now it has been upgraded as a wildlife sanctuary. Covering an area of around 20 sq km, it is home to rare and endangered species such as binturong, jungle fowl, pangolin, hornbill, leopard, porcupine, python, lesser adjutant, stork, flying squirrel, monitor lizard, barking deer, mongoose, and civets. Kalikapat, a hill spring, flows through this forest. There is an ancient Shiva temple on one of the hills.

Lalmati Duramari Ganesh Temple : Lalmati Duramari Ganesh Temple is located in Bongaigaon District and is considered to one of the oldest temples in Assam. The temple lies on the Khagrapar Hill near Abhayapuri. The temple exists in a ruined state and it is believed that earthquakes had destroyed the temple.

Rock Cut Caves : Rock Cut Caves at Jogighopa in Bongaigaon District is a testimony to the architectural excellence of the people Assam in the ancient period. There are five caves on the banks of Brahmaputra River dating back to the Salasthambha period. The best preserved cave measures 2.60 m breadth, 1.90 m height and 1.8 m in depth. Flights of steps have been built on either side and a platform of mud masonry is found inside. A chase on the top helps to drain away rain water from the facade.

Tamranga Lake : Tamranga is a natural lake located in Bongaigaon District of Assam. It lies near Bishnupur in North Salmara. It is also known as Tamranga Beel. The lake is considered as ornithologist"s paradise as a large number of migratory birds visit here during winter. This lake is a combination of two lakes and is fed by the floodwater of Brahmaputra River. Accommodation facilities are available in tourist rest house.

Bishnupur Shankardeva Shatra (Bishnupur, Abhayapuri)
Proposed Eco-Tourism Development Projects in the District.

Economy :

ASHOK PAPER MILLS: Jogighopa Paper Industry is one of the paper mills in Assam on the down stream of mighty BRAHAMAPUTRA . The foundation stone of the Jogighopa unit was laid by the Prime Minister of India in October, 1970 with loans received from IFCI, ICICI and LIC. With some of the machinery brought from the Darbhanga unit of the company together with some new machinery, the Jogighopa unit was set up and production was started. The total cost of this paper mill was Rs.31 crores. It has capacity of producing 100 tonnes of pulp and 90 tonnes of paper per day.

BONGAIGAON ALUMINIUM FACTORY: Manufacturer and Supplier of Aluminum utensil, aluminum pot, container, glass, plate, bowl.

ASSAM STATE TEXTILE CORPORATION (NOAPARA): The Noapara Spinning Mill of the Assam State Textile Corporation was established in the year 1980 with an installed capacity of four(4) tonnes per day. The 15, 232-spindle mill has at present about 500 employees.

Banks :

1) Axis Bank,CHAPAGURI ROAD, Phone : 03664-230267/230501 Fax: 03664 - 230955.
2) Bank Of Baroda (BOB),AOC ROAD, Phone : 03664-237288.
3) Bank Of India (BOI),MAIN ROAD, Phone: 03664-236008.
4) HDFC Bank, CHAPAGURI ROAD,BOC GATE,NORTH BONGAIGAON.
5) ICICI Bank, CHAPAGURI ROAD, AOC ROAD, MS.PRIYANKA CHOUDHURY 09954394884.
6) Indian Bank (IB), A O C ROAD, Phone: 03664-230388.
7) Punjab National Bank (PNB), Phone: 03664-230340.
8) State Bank Of India (SBI), Phone:03664- 230701, 236593.
9) UCO Bank, STATION ROAD, Phone:03664-230305.
10) Union Bank Of India (UBI), Phone:03664 - 230258.

Various Banks ATM in Bongaigaon :

1) Axis Bank ATM, Corporate Tower, Chapaguri Road,In Front Of S M Hospital & Diagonostics Centre
2) Axis Bank ATM, T R Phukan Road
3) HDFC Bank ATM, Boc Gate
4) Punjab National Bank ATM, Opp- Central Bank Of India
5) Punjab National Bank ATM, Near Railway Station
6) Punjab National Bank ATM, Paglasthan
7) Union Bank of India ATM, Main Road
8) UCO Bank ATM, Main Town
9) SBI Bank ATM, Brpl Complex