Biswanath Chariali

Biswanath Chariali বিশ্বনাথ চাৰিআলি
Township
Biswanath Chariali Location in Assam, India
Coordinates: 26°43′40″N 93°09′06″E / 26.72778°N 93.15167°E / 26.72778; 93.15167Coordinates: 26°43′40″N 93°09′06″E / 26.72778°N 93.15167°E / 26.72778; 93.15167
Country	India
State	Assam
Government
• Body	Biswanath Chariali Municipality Board
Population (2011)
• Total	19,145
Languages
• Official	Assamese, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Telephone code	+91 - (0) 3 - XX XX XXX
Vehicle registration	AS-12

Biswanath Chariali (IPA: ˌbɪswəˈnɑːθ ˈtʃɑːrɪˌælɪ) (Assamese: বিশ্বনাথ চাৰিআলি) is a town and a municipal board in Sonitpur district in the state of Assam, India.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census,^[1] Biswanath Chariali had a population of 16,830. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Biswanath Chariali has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 85% and female literacy of 75%. 9% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Biswanath Ghat

The Biswanath Temple

Beyond Biswanath Chariali, towards south, there is Biswanath Ghat, also called popularly as "Gupta Kashi". The town is named after the ancient Biswanath mandir. It is called Gupta Kashi, in comparison with Kashi during the golden rule of the Guptas. Going by popular sayings, Kashi was home to temple of 330 million gods. The ghat has a cluster of temples of different gods. A Siva temple was located at the confluence of Bridhaganga (Burigonga) river with Brahmaputra. But now what is left is just the stone posts, beams and other ruins. During the summer the temple remains under water.Only in winter worship is done by constructing temporary shed which draws lot of tourists (বিশ্ৱনাথ বাবা থৰক বৰক, ছমাহ পানীত ছমাহ বামত). On the third day of Assamese Bihu festival a mela is held at a place called Pani Bharal. The deity is taken from Biswnath Ghat to this place for a day and returns back to Ghat.there.The mela is celebrated to commemorate the Guxai Bihu festival. Another Siva temple was built in higher ground. But it submerged under ground during the great earthquake of 1897. It could only be partly raised by engineers.The current Biswanath temple had been built in lieu of it. One can visit from here the island of Umatumuni, an archaeologically famous place. Then there is the Siva dol in reverence of God Siva, built by Ban, the king of Tezpur of Hari Harar Yudha fame.The problem of infiltration by Bangladeshis is a major concern over here.Most of the villages consists of people belong to scheduled castes. If you plan to visit Gupta Kashi, it is recommended that you stay in Biswanath Chariali town.Most of the nationalised banks and few prominent private banks have branches in Chariali town. ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) of most of these banks are available for transactions.

A view of sunset from Biswanath Ghat

The Nagsankar (in assamese নাগশংকৰ) Temple of Tezpur is also situated in Biswanath Chariali on National Highway 52. This temple is said to have been built in 4th century AD.^[2][3] "Nagsankar" temple premises includes a beautiful pond with tortoises who respond to the name "Mohan". Feeding the tortoises is an refreshing experience for the visitors. Marriages are often solemnised in this temple.

Another noteworthy place for visit in this town is the "Gang Mou Than". The great vaishnavite scholar Srimanta Sankardeva is believed to have stayed in this place after crossing the Brahmaputra due scare from enemies.

For people visiting other archaeological sites of Biswanath and Gohpur area, Biswanath Chariali town provides the base.

Biswanath chariali town derives its name from Biswanath Ghat and a prominent road junction of NH 51 & Pavoi Road It is around 75 km away from Tezpur town. This town is surrounded by lush green tea gardens like Pertubghar, Sakomato, Nilpur, Monabarie, Pavoi etc. Local youths have also started tea plantations. 'Nameri"and "Biswanath" are some popular brands of tea produced by the new generation local planters.

Island of Umatumi

Biswanath Chariali is easily accessible by road. It holds the first "Clock Tower" (ghanta ghar, normally found in North Indian towns) of Assam followed by the clock tower of Dibrugarh. The town has decorated entrance gate on NH 52 on the western side. It is also connected by rail. It is situated on a branch line from Rangiya Jn. to Murkongselek. The rail line has been converted to B.G. New trains connecting New Delhi & Itanagar will be running through Biswanath Chariali Railway station soon. Biswanath Chariali Railway station has been upgraded to a standard Class III Station. At present only one passenger train runs between Dekargaon (Tezpur) to Naharlagun. The nearest airport is at Tezpur. One can use Lilabari airport, New Lakhimpur also to reach this town from Kolkata. Day and night service of private and ASTC buses are available from Guwahati to Biswanath Chariali. Tourist Taxis are available here. Accommodation, either in Govt. Circuit House, Tourist Lodge or in Hotels is also available. The Eco-Tourist resort in Biswanth Ghat named after "Green Ashiyana" completed its construction and is a point of attraction in addition with the food facilities. Moreover, one needs to cross the Brahmaputra in order to get access to this resort on the Uma Tumoni Island.

Politics

Biswanath is part of Tezpur (Lok Sabha constituency).^[4] Biswanath is represented by Prabin Hazarika in the Assam Legislative Assembly while it is represented by R.P. Sarmah in Lok Sabha.

Education

There are Institutions of professional education, Biswanath College of Agriculture, under academic control of Assam Agricultural University Assam Agricultural University, Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute under academic control of HRD Ministry, Govt. of India. Besides there is District Institute of Education and Training(DIET) approved by AICTE/UGC, Biswanath College, B Ed College, Jawahar Novodaya Vidalaya, Chariali H.S & M.P School, Shankar dev Sishu/Bidya Niketan, Little Star School [www.littlestarschoolbnc.org], Jane Bosco School, Chariali Adarsha Vidyapeeth, Chariali Academy, Kharashimalu High School, Bapuji High School, Saint Xavier's School, The East Indian school and few other schools.One of the above mentioned school has been involved in many controversies and causes lots of harm to the students brains,the students are forced to join one tuition or another to get good marks.The managing committee and the academic committee of the school do not give autonomy to the teachers.Even so,all the schools of the town provide students with good education.Schools give students a chance to learn things besides their educational studies.

Health

A full fledged civil hospital, run by the state govt. is there in Biswanath Chariali. Besides there are several physicians with private practice including well equipped Nursing Homes. The Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes are- Boras' Nursing Home, K.P. Memorial Hospital, Sanjivani Hospital & Research Institute etc.

Culture and important personalities

Biswanath Chariali is a culturally rich town. A non-profit non govt. organization organizes an annual one act play competition called Late Surya Borah Memorial One Act Play Competitions. There are two movie-theater halls in the town and a community hall for other cultural activities. Binapani Natya Mandir has been the centre of cultural activities for decades. Biswanath Chariali has been hosting সূৰ্য্য বৰা একান্ক নাট প্ৰতিযোগিতা (Surya Bora One Act Play competition) for many years. Binapani Natya Mandir has been the centre of activities related to art and culture.The town has contributed to Assamese Cinema also. কেন্দ্ৰিয় নামঘৰ (Central Namghar) has contributed towards spreading Srimanta Sankardevs'works in fine arts. Several persons of the state fame, e.g., Kamalakanta Bhattacharya, Lakshidhar Sharma, Sashi Phukan (editor, Bismoi, an Assamese popular monthly), Maini Mahanta (Editor "NANDINI" an Assamese popular monthly), Promod Boruah, Brajen kalita, Rimjhim Barah, Dwijen Mahanta,Anwesha Mahanta (all of them are film personalities), Xiradhar Baruah (science activist and writer), Group Captain Chandan Kumar Hazarika (First Commissioned Officer in the INDIAN AIR FORCE), Major Munindra Hazarika (First Commissioned Officer in INDIAN ARMY)

Photo gallery

Sivadoul at Biswanath

Bhaluk Goxai

A natural view of rever Brahmaputra

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biswanath Chariali.