Tezpur, Assam
Amid tea gardens and military cantonments on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, 181-km northeast of Guwahati, the pleasant little town of Tezpur, built around several lakes, stands on the site of Sonitpur. Undulated green valleys surrounded by hills of Arunachal Pradesh, with snow capped peaks of Himalayas as the northern backdrop, lush green tea gardens and magnificent archaeological ruins have all contributed to make Tezpur a tourist`s delight. Literally meaning "full of Blood", it is named after a mythical battle between Vishnu and Shiva.
The Legend of Sonitpur
Sonitpur, as ancient Tezpur was known in the olden days is a city steeped in mythology, legend and folklore. The City of Blood (`Sonit` of `Tez` - Blood, `Pur` - city) conjures up images of the romantic legend of Usha and Aniruddha and of the fierce battle between "Hari" and "Hara". Old Darang became today`s Sonitpur - Tezpur being the district Headquarters of Sonitpur.
According to the legend, Darang was the capital of demon King Banasura, an ardent follower of `Bhairavnath`, incarnation of Lord Shiva. Usha, the beautiful daughter of King Bana happened to see her love in her dream. Following the description of Usha, her confidante Chitralekha portrayed it in painting. The lover was none other than Aniruddha, Grandson of Sri Krishna, King of Dwarka, who was finally found out and the wedding of Usha and Aniruddha took place according to `Gandharva` tradition.
When it came to the knowledge of Bana he sent Aniruddha to prison. To rescue his grandson Sri Krishna came from Dwarka. In response to the call of his devout Bana, Shiva also came there. When the appeal for rescue failed sword fight ensured between Hari (Lord Krishna) and Hara (Lord Shiva in the form of Banasura), resulted in bloodshed in the entire town.
Since then the town has been named as Sonit or Tezpur meaning "A blood stained town". Bana was vanquished and Usha and Aniruddha were united forever. Usha and Aniruddha settled on the Bamuni hill, 5-km away from the city. The ruins and remains of "Agnigarh" where the immortal romance blossomed, still bear mute testimony of this legend.
Amid tea gardens and military cantonments on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, 181-km northeast of Guwahati, the pleasant little town of Tezpur, built around several lakes, stands on the site of Sonitpur. Undulated green valleys surrounded by hills of Arunachal Pradesh, with snow capped peaks of Himalayas as the northern backdrop, lush green tea gardens and magnificent archaeological ruins have all contributed to make Tezpur a tourist`s delight. Literally meaning "full of Blood", it is named after a mythical battle between Vishnu and Shiva.
The Legend of Sonitpur
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According to the legend, Darang was the capital of demon King Banasura, an ardent follower of `Bhairavnath`, incarnation of Lord Shiva. Usha, the beautiful daughter of King Bana happened to see her love in her dream. Following the description of Usha, her confidante Chitralekha portrayed it in painting. The lover was none other than Aniruddha, Grandson of Sri Krishna, King of Dwarka, who was finally found out and the wedding of Usha and Aniruddha took place according to `Gandharva` tradition. When it came to the knowledge of Bana he sent Aniruddha to prison. To rescue his grandson Sri Krishna came from Dwarka. In response to the call of his devout Bana, Shiva also came there. When the appeal for rescue failed sword fight ensured between Hari (Lord Krishna) and Hara (Lord Shiva in the form of Banasura), resulted in bloodshed in the entire town.
Since then the town has been named as Sonit or Tezpur meaning "A blood stained town". Bana was vanquished and Usha and Aniruddha were united forever. Usha and Aniruddha settled on the Bamuni hill, 5-km away from the city. The ruins and remains of "Agnigarh" where the immortal romance blossomed, still bear mute testimony of this legend.
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