Sibsagar
Sibsagar is a medieval town that gets its name from a tank that was excavated by the Ahom King Siva Singha in 1734 A.D. The Ahom Monarchs undertook excavation of extensive tanks and these became popularly known as Sagar or 'Sea;' the impact of such a tank on the minds of the common people was so great that the locality around the tanks became known by the name of the tank itself. Three temples were built on its south bank, a Shiva temple, a Devi Temple and a Vishnu temple. The Shiva temple is the tallest monument of the Ahom period reaching a height of 40 meters.
Ahom Kings changed their capitals from place to place either due to military or political uncertainties or due to the havoc of floods. King Rudra Singha founded Rangpur in the year 1698. This old capital of the Ahom Kingdom, which possesses the largest secular buildings built by the Ahoms, lasted for 200 years. It is now a part of Sibsagar town.
The Talatal Ghar, built by Rudra Singha, and enlarged by Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769), was not the residential building of the royalty but a house for the functioning of the government. It is here the king gave judgment, received his vassals and other dignitaries.
The two storied Rang-ghar at Rangpur was built by King Pramatta Singha in 1746. It constituted a royal pavilion used for witnessing outdoor sports such as wrestling, elephant fights, buffalo fights, falconry, etc. The architecture was perhaps imitated from the Namghars.
Other places of interest in Sibsagar include the Garhgaon Kareng Ghar - the Ahom King Suuklengmung built the palace when he shifted the capital from Cheregaon (north of Sibsagar town on the banks of the Dikhow River) in 1539.
The palace was built in 1540, but was destroyed and at the very site on which the old palace existed, a new palace was built by King Rajeswar Sinha I 1762 AD. The structure was built in bricks and is almost square in plan and consists of four stories.
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS:
Product planning
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Conservation of the temple complex
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Lakefront development of Sibsagar lake including walkways, relaxation spots, seating decks, lighting etc.
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Lakefront development of Joysagar lake including landscaping, seating decks, lighting etc.
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Local tourism trips to be organised, which will help tourists to see all tourist sites
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Spot over’s for sight seeing and enjoying the natural greenery. These spots can be developed with eatery joint, information centre, souvenir shops.
facilitation planning
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Tourist Arrival-cum-Reception Centre at Shiva Temple
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Wayside Amenity Centre at the temple such as restaurants and Water recreation activity near all the “sagar” created. The water body has to be cleaned.
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Signages – informative, instructive
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Amenity centre near Sibsagar lake including:
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Reception cell cum information centre.
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Waiting area with seating for 10 persons
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4 toilets each for men and women.
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Purified Drinking water Provision
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Waste Bins
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Amenity centre outside the Ranghar
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Reception cell cum information center .
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2 toilets each for men and women.
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Purified Drinking water Provision
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Waste Bins
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Amenity centre before the entrance gate at Taltala Ghar
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Reception cell cum information center .
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2 toilets each for men and women.
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Purified Drinking water Provision
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Waste Bins
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Restaurants at various places near the tourism sites- to be developed with private sector participation
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Standard quality Hotel to be developed with private sector participation
Infrastructure planning
Costs and Phasing
The costs for the proposed development for the Sibsagar area development and the proposed phase of development are as follows:
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Costs and Phasing: Sibsagar Area Development
Sr. No.
|
Development
|
Total Cost (in Lakh Rs.)
|
Phase of Development
|
Implementing Agency
|
|
Sibsagar
|
|
|
|
1
|
Conservation of Temple Complex
|
500
|
I/II
|
Archaeology
|
2
|
Lakefront development of Lakes
|
250
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
3
|
Local tourism trips- basic works
|
150
|
I/II
|
Tourism Dept.
|
4
|
Stop spots with eateries, souvenier shops etc
|
100
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
5
|
Tourist Arrival/Reception Centre at Shiva Temple
|
50
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
6
|
Amenity Centre at Sibsagar lake
|
40
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
7
|
Amenity centre outside Ranghar
|
30
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
8
|
Amenity centre outside Taltala Ghar
|
30
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
9
|
Restaurants
|
100
|
I/II
|
PPP
|
10
|
Standard quality hotels
|
700
|
II
|
PPP
|
11
|
Signages – informative, instructive
|
3
|
I
|
Tourism Dept.
|
12
|
Strengthening of road from highway to Sibsagar
|
160
|
I
|
PWD
|
13
|
Roads upgrading in stretches inside town
|
150
|
II
|
PWD
|
|
Total
|
2263
|
|
|
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