Relics and Jogighopa

Rinkumani Pathak 

Jogighopa! The name is familiar to most people in Assam for three things – defunct Ashok Paper Mill, Naranarayan Setu and coal trade. The proposed Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Jogighopa has also brought a ray of hope not only to the local residents but also to the people of the rest of the State.

The tourism prospects of this mofussil town in lower Assam’s Bongaigaon district are often overlooked.

But, Dugdhanath Hills, on the bank of the mighty Brahmaputra, at Jogighopa hold unique tourism and architectural treasures.

There are five rock-cut caves in the hills which are significant as architectural heritage. According to the official website of the Bongaigaon district administration, the caves belong to the Salastambha period. The Salastambha dynasty ruled in ancient Assam from 675 AD to 725 AD.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) declared the remains as the monument of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958. The agency has even constructed a staircase that leads the visitors to the caves atop the hills.

“The group of rock-cut caves can be dated back to early medieval period. Amongst the five caves, the biggest one is measured 2.10m x 1.80m x 1.93m. It has a rounded ceiling and a small verandah measuring 7.50m x 3.30m. Other caves are similar but smaller in sizes,” ASI states on its website of the Guwahati circle.

The hills also offer a picturesque view of the Naranarayn Setu, the third bridge over the Brahmaputra river. The serenity of the views of the Brahmaputra and the bridge from the hills is enchanting. 

“The magnificent hills, beautiful Brahmaputra, Narayan Setu and these architectural monuments at the same place provide magical experience. Lot of things can be done to promote this site as a major tourist attraction. The government should take some initiatives to preserve and promote this site,” says Monowar Hussain, a local journalist.

According to him, the caves date back to 600-900 AD. He also states that the caves bear the testimony to the religious practices of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Hussain adds, “We assume that saints from these two religions did meditation and other religious practices in these caves. It is believed that first Buddhists did meditation here during the times of Kumar Bhaskar Varman.”

On the other hand, in their paper titled ‘Exploring the Potentialities and Strategies for Development of Tourism Industry in Assam Post Covid 19 Pandemic’, Banani Saikia and Sudhanshu Verma of Assam down town University write, “Although, most of the studies reveals that the caves are established during the Salasthamba period but each of the caves has a brick and mud masonary made platform, which was probably built during a later period. The art and architecture of the caves are great examples of the kind of art which were practiced during this time mainly in the western part of India. This interprets the fact that though Assam is far way but was not cut off from the artistic movement in other parts of the country.”

But this site of great importance is yet to get due importance from the State tourism department. 

Appeared in 'Sunday Reading' of 'The Assam Tribune'

“A comprehensive plan is needed to promote not only this site, but also the other places in its vicinity. Tourism Department should draw out some plans and programmes so that Western Assam becomes a tourist-friendly destination. Western part of the state is enriched not only with natural resources, but also historical and cultural significance,” says Monikankana Das, a visitor.

She also asserts the need of scientific studies on the ancient caves of Jogighopa.