Nagaon: Wildlife, Landscapes and Culture

Kaziranga National Park is partly located in the Nagaon district of Assam. It is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as tigers, elephants, panthers, bears and thousands of birds. The Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary adds another natural highlight: it lies on the south bank of the Brahmaputra and is home to a diverse range of wildlife. The landscape of the Laokhowa-Burachapori ecosystem offers opportunities for nature trails and trekking.

Wildlife and seasonal nature

Laokhowa covers around 70.13 square kilometres. Animals living there include rhinoceroses, elephants, royal tigers and Asian water buffalo; the sanctuary is also home to more than 225 bird species. Together with Kaziranga’s wildlife, Nagaon’s natural attractions offer several points of interest: large mammals, protected areas and birdwatching.

Samaguri Beel also brings landscape and wildlife together. It was formed by the changing course of the Kolong River. In winter, you can see various migratory birds from around the world there. Tea gardens lie near Champawati Waterfall in Chapanala; at certain times of year, various bird species, including migratory birds, can be seen there. When planning, it is worth keeping these different timings in mind: winter is specified for Samaguri Beel, while certain seasons are mentioned for the area around Champawati Waterfall.

Other natural highlights include the historic Baduli Khurung cave, inhabited by thousands of bats of various species, and Hodhodi in Lung Chung, a natural waterfall and visitor attraction. If you are looking for a different kind of outdoor experience, Champawati Kunda in Chapanala has a picnic area. So, alongside wildlife watching, waterfalls, a cave and picnics are different themes to consider when planning your trip.

Culture, places of worship and crafts

Batadrawa Than, also known as Bordowa Than, is the birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva (1449–1568). In the 15th century, Sankardeva founded the first Kirtan Ghar in Bordowa to practise and teach the Neo-Vaishnavite faith. The Doul Mohotsava, a Holi festival, is an annual attraction for devotees at Bordowa Than. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the exact dates in advance.

Religious traditions also form part of the cultural landscape at other locations. Silghat Trishuldhari Temple, on the south bank of the Brahmaputra, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. At Bharali Naamghar, Naam-Prasanga, a communal prayer, and Bhaona, a theatrical performance, are part of the tradition, along with Sankar Jayantee and Madhab Janyantee. Baduli Mela takes place every year two days after Maha Shivaratri. Nagaon therefore offers both religious sites and recurring festivals as distinct themes for a stay.

Ranthali offers a different cultural perspective and is known for its Assamese jewellery trade. Jewellery there is generally made by hand by the Sonari group. This look at a craft tradition complements the religious sites and festivals with a local art form, while describing a different kind of experience.

Planning your trip and hotel search

When choosing a hotel in Nagaon, your travel priorities can help guide your decision: are protected areas, wildlife and seasonal birdwatching your main interests, or would you rather focus on religious sites, festival traditions and crafts? The themes described here offer different points to consider when planning. Match your stay to the places you want to visit and, if you plan to attend a festival, to its exact dates.

Assam in a wider context

The wider destination of Assam also includes distinctive cultural heritage sites. The Charaideo necropolis contains 90 Moidams, the burial mounds of the Ahom kings. The Tai-Ahom rituals of Me-Dam Me-Phi, the veneration of ancestors, and Tarpan, a libation, are practised there. These regional insights add a distinctly Assam-wide cultural context to a trip through Nagaon.

Discover more destinations: Kamakhya, Kuthari, Sakmuthi T.E. No.4, Silghat, Seconi T.E. No.1, Na-Jan, Nagaon, Jorhat.

For the broader travel overview: Assam.