If stones could speak, Tezpur would have narrated many stories. They would tell us stories of glory, of valour, of might, and of the sweat and toil that went while giving life into the beautiful granite carvings gracing Tezpur today. Modern day Tezpur, the headquarters of Sonitpur District in the State Assam, is said to be the erstwhile Sonitpur, which was the kingdom of the legendary King Bana . A story is narrated in ‘BHAGAVAT’ and also in the ‘VISHNU PURANA’ to which a local site has been assigned. Bali, historically the king of Sonitpur, had numerous sons , of whom Bana , the eldest succeeded him. Bana,who was the contemporary of Narak,had many sons and one daughter name Usha. It is believed that Usha fell in love with Aniruddha, the grandson of Shri Krishna, in her dreams. Chitralekha, an eminent painter and friend of Usha drew Aniruddha according to Usha's narration and united them, led them marry each other according to Gandharva marriage system. Aniruddha was seen and captured after a valiant resistance,but was rescued by Lord Krishna who defeated Bana in great battle called ‘Hari-Hara Yudh’ which is said to have taken place at the sight of what is now known as Tezpur bil. The word Tezpur denotes 'city of blood' in Assamese.
According to another belief,this land was inhabited by austric group of people.They saw a kind of snake, ’TEZU’or ‘TEZ’ here.Therefore this place has come to be known as tezpur.
After studying the copper plate (Tezpur and Parvatiya plate) historians have come to the conclusion that Assam was the capital of ancient Kamrupa. They viewed that Mahabhairab and Bhairavi ruins of Bamuni Hillock were built by Vanamala Verma Deva of Salasthamva dynasty.Archaeologiests believe that beautiful engraved stoned found in tezpur are of 8th to 10th centuary AD.
Some of the most ancient and best remains of Temple and Buildings are found in Tezpur.The shrines were dedicated to gods such as Surya,Siva and most possibly to Lord Buddha.Historian Westmacott made the earliest reference to the remains. According to Dalton,the Shrines were earlier left incomplete or demolished.He remarked,’the art had reached its culminating point’, after he saw some of the beautifully decorated blocks of stones.Many stones and ruines of temple were found in the year 1960 while digging,to build an office of deputy commissioner and many other stones were found in Christian mission compound. These are assigned to temples, dedicated to different deities,ranging from atleast 10th to 12th century A.D.
The geographical location of Tezpur is such situated on the north bank of river Brahmaputra on Lahitya between 26O – 37’’ North Longitude and 920 -47.30’’ East Latitude with 236 or 78 metre height from the main sea level.
Places you might like to visit
Agnigarh
Agnigarh is a hillock of Tezpur town which stands on the bank of river Brahmaputra.It is said that fire issued from this hillock previously.The story of king Bana is also associated with this hillock.It is believed that bana’s daughter Usha was kept with a strict vigilance within the enclosed walls made of fire. In 1923,when Riabahadur Padmanath Gohain Baruah was the Chairman of municipality board he built a park on top of the hillock known as Padmapark.
Bamunipahar
Bamunipahar hill is an important spot of varied archaeologiests interests.It stands on the bank of the river Bramhaputra about 3kms from Tezpur town.The area still contains a large number of stones. According to archaeologists, the temple ruins scattered here belongs to 8th and 9th centuries. According to archaeologist R.D Banerjee, altogether 7 temples existed here.Six temples were in rectangular plot and seventh was on the east.Two, temples were located at the center,while the four temples were at four corners.
Bhairabi Temple
This temple stands on the eastern side of Tezpur town on the bank of river Brahmaputra. According to legends,Usha, the daughter of king Bana, worshipped here.This is a Devi(goddess) temple. The temple we see here now,is newly built as the ancient temple is believed to be destroyed by natural calamities. Stones and old bricks scatter around the temple.
Haleswar Temple
This temple stands 9kms away to the north of Tezpur town.It is believed that it was built in the year 1705 by Swargodeo Rudra Singha from ahom dynasty.
Hazara Pukhuri
Hazara Pukhuri stands on the western side which is about a mile away from Tezpur town.This pond was excavated during the reign of Harjjara Varma (820-835 A.D.)
Rudrapada Temple
The Rudrapada Temple is situated on the Bhomoraguri , bearing a sign of Rudra’s , (Shiva) left foot on a stone . It is believed that Lord Shiva showed his real self to King Bana here . Rudrapada Temple was built by Shiva Singha in the year 1730 . The temple was destroyed , due to erosion of river Brahmaputra.
The Door Frame Of Da-Parvatia
Da-parvatia is a village situated at the west of tezpur . The ruins at this village provides one of the earliest specimens of architecture and stone curving in Assam . According to archaeologists, the door frame which stands here belongs to the Pataliputra School of art . It is of Gupta period (600 A.D.). The nature of the remains indicates that the temples were dedicated , to both Lord Shiva and Vishnu. There are two figure of goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna on the Jambs of the door frame.
Cole Park (Chitralekha Udyan)
Tezpur is a land of natural beauty . The Britishers gave more importance in increasing its beauty. Mr.Cole, an Englishmen, who was the District Collector of Darrang (1906) had dreams of building a park at the present site by collecting stones from the ruins. Though he could not fulfil it during his life time, it was undertaken and completed by his successor and dedicated the park in the name of Mr. Cole. Here we find several stone cuts viz. one man fighting with a lion, a male playing with a flute and a female dancing by side, one man playing on a lyse and another dancing to his right. These statues are believed to be of the 9th century A.D. of Salasthamba dynasty.
Hanguleshwar Temple
This is a Shiva Temple. There is no authentic source as to when and who built this temple. This temple is a Bhairavpada Mouza.
Ganesh Temple
To the north of river Brahmaputra, a stone cut image of Lord Ganesha is found in the side of temple. It’s height is about 3ft. it is believed to be of the 9th-10th century. Its surrounding area is known as Ganesh Ghat. The present temple is newly built.
Ganesh Barma Temple
This temple is in Haleshwar Mouza. In the front of this temple, there is a pond known as Barphukhuri. A stone image of Lord Brahma and a stone cut image of dancing Ganesha are found here.
Panchamukhi Shiva Lingam in Ketekibari (Ketekeshwar)
It is situated in Ketekibari in the north of Tezpur, which is about 4 kms away from the centre of the town. This Lingam has a height of 12 ft and a breadth of 6 ft. many people believed that it is the ruin of Hatappeshwara Temple, built by Vanamalavarmadeva. There are five faces in the Lingam. Therefore, it is known as Panchamukhi Shiva Lingam.