Royal city of the Ahoms
For six centuries the Ahom kings ruled Assam, and Sivasagar (old Rangpur) holds their grandest monuments — palaces, a royal pavilion, giant tanks and soaring temples.
5 sights and experiences.
An 18th-century two-storey royal pavilion where Ahom kings watched buffalo fights and Bihu games — often called one of Asia’s oldest surviving amphitheatres.
The biggest building the Ahoms left behind — a rambling brick palace-fort a short ride from town. Guides love telling tales of its secret passages.
The multi-storeyed royal palace at Garhgaon, about 15 km from Sivasagar, inside the remains of a long brick wall.
Three temples — Sivadol, Vishnudol and Devidol — on the bank of the huge Sivasagar tank. The Sivadol is among the tallest Shiva temples in India.
One of India’s largest man-made tanks, dug by King Rudra Singha in memory of his mother Joymati, with the elegant Joydol temple on its bank.
October to April. Rongali Bihu (April) and Me-Dam-Me-Phi (31 January) are special times to visit.
By airJorhat Airport (about 60 km) or Dibrugarh Airport (about 80 km).
By trainSimaluguri Junction (about 18 km); Sivasagar Town station has a few trains.
By roadAbout 360 km from Guwahati via Jorhat.
