Sivasagar previously spelled Sibsagar (“the ocean of Lord Shiva”), is a town in Upper Assam, about 360 kilometres (224 mi) north east of Guwahati. It is the district headquarters of the Sivasagar district.It is well known for its Ahom palaces and monuments. Sivasagar today is also an important centre for the tea and oil industries.Sivasagar, formerly known as Rangpur, was the capital of the Ahom Kingdom from 1699 to 1788. The Ahoms ruled Assam, virtually without interruption, for six centuries, until their kingdom fell to the Burmese in 1819 and their ruling class was all but wiped out.The province was liberated by the British in 1825 but, owing to the state of anarchy which prevailed, it was completely annexed in 1826. For administrative purposes it was divided into three sub-divisions.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
The nearest Airport is Jorhat Airport, Assam, roughly one hour drive from Sibsagar. The nearest International Airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati, roughly six hour drive from the city. It is well connected to the major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Imphal, Lilabari and Jaipur etc. via Air India, Indigo, Kingfisher Airlines, Pawan Hans, Jet Airways and Druk Air.
By Road:-
Sibsagar is well connected with major cities of Assam state by road. It is 2 Kms from Bishnu Nagar, 12 Kms from Gaurisagar, 16 Kms from Nazira, 17 Kms from Simalguri, 30 Kms from Amguri, 49 Kms from Bhojo, 56 Kms from Jorhat, 61 Kms from Cinnamora, 70 Kms from Barbari, 83 Kms from Dibrugarh, 117 Kms from Kamrup and is linked through Assam State Road Transport Corporation (ASRTC) and some private travel services.
By Train:-
The nearest Railway Station is Simalguri Railway Station which is 16 Kms from Sibsagar and is well connected to Dibrugarh and Yeshwantpur. It is also well linked with many cities of the state like Mariani, Jorhat, North Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh and Mokokchung etc.
WHAT TO SEE
Joysagar:-
Joysagar, said to be the biggest man-made lake in the country, is spread over 318 acres (1.29 km2) of water on the edge of the town in an area called Rangpur, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away from the present town of Sivasagar. This lake was built by Swargadeo Rudra Singha in honour of his mother, Joymoti.
Rudrasagar:-
Swargadeo Lakshmi Singha built this tank, and dedicated it to his father Swargadeo Rudra Singha, in 1773. A Shiva Temple was also built on the bank of this beautifully constructed tank. It is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) away from the town of Sivasagar.
Sivadol Temple:-
It was built in 1734 by Kuwori Ambika, wife of the Swargadeo Siba Singha. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this is the most sacred of the three temples. Rising to a height of 104 feet (32 m), it encircles an area of 195 feet (59 m). It is thronged by devotees during the festival of Shivratri.
Devidol:-
This is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of Power, Durga. Durga Puja, the most important festival marked at the temple, is celebrated twice a year: in the months of Chaitra (April–May) and Ashwin (September–October).
Rang Ghar:-
Rang ghar Of Sivasagar’s famous Ahom ruins, the Rang Ghar is a double-storied, oval shaped, amphitheater with a roof shaped like an inverted boat. It was constructed by Swargadeo Pramatta Singha. The Rang Ghar is said to be amongst the largest of amphitheaters.
Talatal Ghar:-
The Talatal Ghar is a palace which was initially built as an army base. It houses two secret tunnels, and three floors below ground level which were used as exit routes during the Ahom wars (and which give the structure its name).The Talatal Ghar constitutes the below-ground structure of the Rangpur Palace, whose four floors above-ground make up the Kareng Ghar.In all, the Rangpur Palace is a seven-storied building.Bakhar Bengena: it is a rare breed of tree is situated at Bokota Mouza, and the place name is known as a Bakhar Bengena.
SHOPPING:-
There is lot to select from incredible handicraft material of the state, quality silk material and authentic Assam tea
FOOD:-
In fact food of the north-eastern states of India differs a lot from the food of the other states. Assamese food dishes are dominated with herbal flavors and rice is the basic ingredient. Even though not spicy like food in other states it is a balanced diet.