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Assam

অসম
State of India
Official seal of Assam
Seal
A map showing us where the location of Assam is in the Republic of India
A map showing us where the location of Assam is in the Republic of India
Map of Assam
Map of Assam
Country  India
Region North-east India
Area
 • Total 78,438 km2 (30,285 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 31,169,272
Time zone UTC+05:30 (IST)
Official languages Assamese · English

Assam (Assamese: অসম) is a beautiful state in the northeastern part of India. It covers an area of 78,438 square kilometers. This makes it bigger than Panama but smaller than the Czech Republic.

A very important river called the Brahmaputra flows right through the state. Assam is located at the foot of the mighty Himalayas mountains. It shares its borders with two other countries: Bhutan and Bangladesh.

People and Beliefs

Assam is home to many different people. They have various beliefs and traditions.

Religions in Assam

In 2011, a survey showed that most people in Assam follow Hinduism. About 62% of the population were Hindus. The second largest group was Muslims, making up about 34% of the people. A smaller group, about 3-4%, were Christians. Other religions like Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Animism are also present, but they are followed by less than 0.2% of the population each.

Culture and Festivals

Assam has a rich culture with unique festivals and traditions.

Bihu Festival

One of the most important festivals in Assam is Bihu. It is celebrated three times a year. Each Bihu marks a different season or farming event. People wear traditional clothes, sing folk songs, and perform lively dances. The blooming of the Kopou Orchid often signals the start of the Bihu festive season.

Traditional Attire

Assamese women often wear a beautiful dress called the Mekhela chador. It is a two-piece garment draped gracefully. Men wear traditional clothes too, especially during festivals.

Music and Dance

Music and dance are a big part of Assamese culture.

  • The Dhol is a traditional drum often played during Bihu dances.
  • The pepa is a horn-like instrument made from buffalo horn. Bihu dancers often blow it.
  • Sattriya Dance is a classical dance form from Assam. It tells stories from Hindu myths.
  • The Bagurumba is a traditional folk dance of the Bodo community.
  • The Jhumair dance is popular among the tea garden communities.

Arts and Crafts

Assam is also known for its crafts.

  • The Jaapi is a traditional conical hat, often decorated with colorful designs.
  • Bell metal crafts are very famous. Items like the sorai (a stand with a tray) and kahi (a plate) are important cultural symbols.

Famous Places

Assam has many interesting places to visit, including temples and natural sites.

Temples

  • The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati is a very famous Hindu temple. Many people gather there for the Ambubachi Mela festival.
  • The Basistha Temple is another important temple in Guwahati.
  • The Dakhinpat Satra is a famous monastery located on the island of Majuli.

Natural Beauty

  • The Brahmaputra valley is a vast and fertile region. It is surrounded by hills from the Himalayas.
  • You can see beautiful paddy fields and tea gardens across Assam. Tea from Assam is famous worldwide.

Education and Literature

Assam has a strong focus on education and a rich literary history.

Important Institutions

  • Cotton University in Guwahati is a well-known university.
  • IIT Guwahati and National Institute of Technology, Silchar are top engineering colleges.
  • Jorhat Engineering College is also a key institution for technical education.

Famous Personalities

  • Lakshminath Bezbaroa was a very important writer in Assamese literature.
  • Srimanta Sankardeva was a great saint and scholar who shaped Assamese culture and religion.
  • Bhupen Hazarika was a legendary singer, composer, and filmmaker from Assam.
  • Other notable figures include Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, and Phani Sarma, who contributed greatly to Assamese arts.

Ancient Manuscripts

Assam has old manuscripts like the Citra Bhagavata and Hastividyarnava. These show beautiful paintings and tell stories. Ancient painters used natural colors from plants and minerals.

Economy

Assam's economy is largely based on agriculture.

Tea and Rice

  • Tea is one of Assam's most famous products. The state has vast tea gardens. Assamese tea is known for its strong, malty flavor.
  • Rice is another major crop. You can see many paddy fields where rice is grown.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Assam para niños

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