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Sadiya - Tourism, History, Culture and other facts
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Sitting at the juncture of three major rivers, Dihing (Tsangpo in Tibbet), Dibang and Lohit that create the mighty Brahmaputra, Sadiya is not only a place of extra-ordinary scenic beauty but also a place of historical and cultural importance.
Sadiya is a small town and also a sub-division of Tinsukia district of Assam, situated at the north-east corner of the state. North to the division is situated the
beautiful mountain range of Arunachal Pradesh and other three sides of Sadiya are surrounded by large rivers just flowing down into the valley of Brahmaputra. An area of around 790 sqaure km at a height of 130 meters from sea level, Sadiya witnesses one of the widest river point in the world.
The scenic Sadiya carries a long history and culture of the region. The mention of the region is found in ancient mythology of India. Sadiya is believed to be the ancient Vidarbha kingdom of Mahabharata which was ruled by the king Bhishmaka. Lord Krishna fell in love with king's daughter Rukmini, but king's son Rukma wanted to give her to another prince named Sisupal. Rukmini secretly sent news to Krishna and on the day fixed for her marriage, the latter suddenly appeared and carried her off in his chariot. He was pursued by the crowd of princes, who had come to assist at the wedding, but he defeated them. There may be arguments on the exact Vidarbha kingdom, but Sadiya is one of contender for the mythological kingdom.
The actual mention of the name Sadiya was first found in Medieval era. During that period, Sadiya was a part of Chutiya kingdom. Before 12th century, Sadiya was known as "Sindhukhsetra". According to history, Chutiya king Ratnadhwajpal had a diplomatic relation with his contemporary in Gaur kingdom (Bengal). For that good relationship established by both kings, The Gaur king sent one of his prince to stay in Chutiya Kingdom. Unfortunately the prince died while constructing a temple in "Sindhukhsetra". According to legend, the prince was cremeted in Sindhukhsetra. And Sindhukhsetra was renamed as Sadiya after Sava(Corpse in Assamese) Diya (Given).
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Sadiya - Where the mighty Himalayan meets the mighty Brahmaputra
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In 1523 AD, Ahom conquered Sadiya and placed an Ahom officer in the region. He was known as Sadiya Khuwa Gohain. In late 18th century, the Khaamti people started living in Sadiya. They had various encounters with Ahoms and finally took over Sadiya from Ahom Kingdom during it's weaker days. History tells about a big market place in Sadiya during Ahom regime. The tribes from all around the hills used to trade rubber, wax, ivory, and musk for Cotton cloth, salt and metal goods. There believed to be trading link to Tibbet also from here.
After the Treaty of Yandabo in 1826, British entered into Assam and slowly took control of Sadiya too. In 1839 an uprising of Khaamti tribes destroyed a complete army of British here. But Sadiya became the center point for the british missionaries in late 19th century. The first printing press of Assam was established by Miles Bronson in Sadiya only. They also established schools and taught the local people arounf Sadiya.
In 1882 Francis Jack Needham was appointed Assistant Political Agent for the British authorities after having served in the region as an assistant Superintendent of Police since 1876. He finally retired from service in 1905 after spending his life exploring above the Brahmaputra river and writing a treatise on the grammar of Miri, Singpho, and Khamti languages. He was awarded the Gill memorial medal in 1887 and made a fellow of The Royal Geographical Society in 1889.
Though Britsh started initial education and also a railway station for trading in Sadiya, the economic development of the region has been bad. In 1950, the devastating earth-quake shattered Sadiya. It was tken under by the Brahmaputra during the quake.
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The Tamreswari Temple
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There are many ancient temples lying around Sadiya which are of historical and archeological importance.
Tamreswari Temple
Tamreswari or Kesaikhati Goxani Thaan is the most known temple of Sadiya. This Shakti temple of Hindu was of very interest to the archeologists too. It was first studied by Colonel Hunne and Lieutenant Dalton. They identified that the temple was made of volcanic rock of four feet width. The wall and doors of the temple were well designed with beautiful works. There were two giant elephant scupltures with silver tusks at the main door. The walls were made without any mortar.The temple roof was made of copper(tam in assamese), that's why it is called Tamreswari. The whole temple was surrounded with brick walls and on the western wall there was a place for human sacrifice. The original establishment of the temple is not known, but it is believed to be repaired in 15th century during Chutiya dynasty. There were for priests in the temple named Borpujari, Sorupujari, Borbharali and Sorubharali. They were very much respected in Sadiya. Even the Ahoh kings used to respect them. It was beleived that during the days of Ahom king Rajeswar Singha in 18th century, the human sacrifice was stopped in the temple.
Burha-Burhi Thaan
There is no exact information about the exact history of this temple. Even the exact religious origin of the temple is not yet clear. Hindu believers consider this temple is of Shiva-Parbati. But archeologists doubt this temple of non-aryan origin, may be Budhdhism. In older days, the deori people settled around Sadiay used to worship this temple.
There are many other Shaivik Thaans or temples in Sadiya where Deori people used to worship. These temples used to sacrifice animal or humans in ancient days.
The only major Vaishnavite temple in Sadiya is called Boiragi Thaan. It was established by Sri Keshav Dev of Auniati Satra in his exile during the rule of Gadadhar Singha in 17th century.
Scenic beauty and Wildlife
Sadiay a grassy plain land on the foothill of the Himalayan. The vast rivers and white sand on the bank make the place unique in scenic beauty. Mayodia, Parsuram Kunda and Kibito are a few beautiful places visited by tourists every year. A boat ride on the mighty Brhamaputra is lifetime experience. The Dibru Saikhowa and Joydehing Sanctuaries are very near to Sadiya. Both forests are known for their unique fauna and flora.
How to Reach
The nearest railway station is Tinsukia, which is situated around 100 km west of Sadiya. Nearest airport is Dibrugarh, around 170 km away from Sadiya. Regular buses are avvailable from Tinsukia to Sadiya.
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