Are you ready for a trip to an archaeological gold mine? No, I am not talking about a heist, but about the mystical and relatively unknown Surya Pahar in Assam.
Now, chances are that you have never heard of this place before.
It is located just 12 km southeast from Goalpara, this site is a hill of the sun (yes, that’s what Surya Pahar means in English) and is associated with the cult of sun worship. So, if you are a fan of soaking up some Vitamin D, this might be the perfect spot for you.
The site is a hilly terrain dotted with thousands of shivalingas, and still, this site is not just significant for one religion but three – Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
But wait, there’s more! According to historians, the great sage Vyasa himself laid the foundations for this place and modeled it on Kashi with 99,999 Shiv Lingams. And if that’s not impressive enough for you, Suraya Pahar was once a thriving civilization and a major trading city with maritime trade routes through the mighty Brahmaputra.
The archaeological findings from this place are so precious that they are kept in the local museum, and if you are lucky, you might even spot some Jainism relics, which is a rarity in the North East.
But beware, the whole place is swarming with monkeys, so be sure to keep your belongings close and your eyes watchful. And if you are in the mood for some bird-watching, head on over to Koya Kujia Bill, where you can spot some migratory flock of birds in the winter.
And if that’s not enough to satiate your inner archaeologist, nearby Bagheswari Temple is one of the oldest temples in the southern part of Assam, and as per Hindu myth, it’s the place where the trishul/trident of Goddess Durga fell when she was cut into half by Lord Vishnu after the rites and rituals of Dakhsya Yagya. So, go ahead, add this hidden gem to your travel bucket list.