16 Interesting Facts About Assam: The Tea Capital of the World

The state of Assam is renowned for its vivid dance styles, rich and diversified fauna, and delicious traditional cuisine. Located in the Northeast part of India, this stunning state is well-known outside of its borders for being the home of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, the powerful Brahmaputra, the towering plains, and a rich culture. But this is not it. In other words, Assam is much more than these things. Fascinated? Let’s read some interesting facts about Assam.  

1. Assam’s State Anthem

Assam has its own state anthem known as ‘O Mur Apunar Dekh’. It was written by Lakshminath Bezbarua and edited by Kamala Prasad Agarwal.

2. Bird’s Suicidal Point at Jatinga

Assam’s Jatinga Valley is a well-known location for bird suicide and is a settlement in the Borail mountain range. The mass suicides of birds in Jatinga make news every year from September to November. Not only do native birds fly here to end their lives, but migratory species do too.

3. Largest Dry Fish Market In Asia

Asia’s largest dry fish market is located in Assam’s Marigaon district with a range of freshwater to saltwater fishes.

4. Tea Capital of the World

Assam produces one-seventh of the world’s tea, and it has the greatest tea-growing area worldwide. 

5. Assam’s silk is known all over the world

All four varieties of silk are famously produced in Assam. Specializing in Muga and Eri silk manufacturing, the state has been a leader in sericulture since ancient times.

6. The Largest and Smallest River Island in the World

The largest river island in the world, “Majuli,” and the smallest inhabited river island in the world, “Umananda,” are both well-known features of Assam.

7. Highest Bird Diversity in India

Assam is one of the world’s “endemic bird areas”. With 950 bird species, 53.5% of the bird species on the Indian subcontinent are located in the state of Assam, and 17 of those species are indigenous to the region.

8. The Witchcraft village

Mayong a village in Assam is known for its tales of spells and magic, this village has been the centre of black magic for centuries.

9. Home to one-horned Rhinos

The largest number of one-horned rhinos in the world may be found in Kaziranga, a World Heritage Site in the state of Assam. Two-thirds of the world’s population of big one-horned rhinoceroses live in Kaziranga.

10. State Zoo of Assam

The state zoo of Assam is located in the heart of Guwahati city. It is home to various animals and rare species.

11. Ever Burning Lamp

Built by Saint-Reformator Madhavdeva and situated in Jorhat, Assam, the earthen lamp at Dhekiakhowa Bornamghar (Namghar is a place of worship in Assam) has been burning nonstop for 484 years since the saint himself lit it in 1461.

12. Oldest Amphitheatre in India

Asia’s oldest amphitheatre is called Rang Ghar and is located in Assam. Often called the “Colosseum of the East,” this is a royal sports pavilion of the Ahom kings.

13. World’s Spiciest Chili

The Guinness Book of World Records Certified Bhoot Jolokia as the spiciest chilli in the world and the name literally translates to Ghost Chili.

14. Assam’s Traditional Dance

Bihu, the epicentre of Assam’s culture, is celebrated three times a year. It marks the end of the harvesting season in the region.

15. Popular Temple

India’s largest Shaktipeeth “Maa Kamakhya Temple” is located in Assam.

16. Assam’s Linking Bridge

The Bhupen Hazarika Setu, popularly called the Dhola-Sadiya Bridge, is a beam bridge that links the states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in the northeast. It is the longest bridge in Tinsukia (Assam), reaching 9150 meters across the Lohit River.

Hope you had fun reading these interesting facts about Assam. If you like reading about facts, you can visit our interesting facts page to read more such blogs.