Bongaigaon

This article is about the municipality in India. For its namesake district, see Bongaigaon district.

Bongaigaon বঙাইগাঁও
City
By clockwise : Bongaigaon Railway Crossing view of Mayapuri area, Night view of New Bongaigaon Junction railway station, Chilarai Indoor Games Stadium located at Borpara, Lighting view of NTPC Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project at Salakati, Aerial view of Station Road near ASTC Bus Stand, Chapaguri Road View and Koya Kujia Eco Tourism Park.
Nickname:  Industrial & Commercial Hub of Assam + Railway Capital of Western Assam
Bongaigaon Location in Assam, India
Coordinates: 26.48°N 90.56°E / 26.48; 90.56
Country	India
State	Assam
Region	Western Assam
District	Bongaigaon & Chirang district (10% area of city)
Zone	4
Zones Name	Central, North, South, Industrial
City Type	Urban Agglomeration (UA, India)
Bongaigaon Municipal Board	29 September 1989
Founded by	Government of Assam
Government
• Type	Mayor–Council
• Body	Bongaigaon Municipal Board
• Deputy Commissioner	Biswajit Pegu, (IAS)
• Superintendent	Kumar Sanjit Krishna, (IPS)
Area
• City	6 km2 (2 sq mi)
Elevation	62.6 m (205.4 ft)
Population
• City	109,810
• Rank	4th in Assam after Guwahati, Silchar & Dibrugarh)
• Density	18,000/km2 (47,000/sq mi)
• Metro	87,953
Languages
• Official	Assamese, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	3 postcodes 783380 (Central), 783381 (New Bongaigaon), 783385 (Dhaligaon)
Telephone code	03664-XXXXXX
Vehicle registration	AS-19, AS-26
Literacy	96.42% (2011)
Legislature type	Municipality
Planning agency	3
Sex ratio	961 per 1000 male (Census 2011) ♂/♀
Climate	Semi-Arid (Köppen)
Distance from Delhi	1,250 kilometres (780 mi)
Distance from Mumbai	1,900 kilometres (1,200 mi)
Precipitation	1,717.7 millimetres (67.63 in)
Avg. annual temperature	26 °C (79 °F)
Summer temperature	38 - 40 °C
Winter temperature	33 - 28 °C
Out Growth (OG) incl Bongaigaon Urban Agglomerations	9 region Dhaligaon Kukurmai Dolaigaon Chungapota Chapaguri Mulagaon Borsongaon Deuripara
Census Towns (CT) incl Bongaigaon Urban Agglomerations	2 region BGR Township NBQ Railway Colony
Website	bongaigaon.nic.in
† Estimated as of 2015

Bongaigaon /bɒŋɡɑːɪˈɡæ̃ʊ/ is the 2nd largest city of Lower Assam after Guwahati and the city area spans across Bongaigaon and Chirang district. Bongaigaon acts as the unofficial commercial capital and one of the most important cities in Assam. The city is one of the biggest commercial and industrial hubs of North-East India and also of Assam. It is also the 4th largest city of Assam by municipal area & population. Bongaigaon City acts also as the gateway of Northeast Frontier Railway zone with its New Bongaigaon Junction railway station, 2nd biggest railway station in Northeast India. The Asian Development Bank selected the city on their urban planning list of cities from other countries of Asia. Bongaigaon is one of the most populated urban agglomerations in west Assam with line of Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat and Silchar. The City is the administrative headquarters and municipal board of Bongaigaon District.

It was the last capital of the Kamatapur Kingdom and home to many historical monuments of Assamese culture. The city, divided into two parts – Old Bongaigaon and New Bongaigaon - is situated 180 kilometres (112 mi) north west of Guwahati, largest city of Assam. To meet the demands of Bodos of Assam, Bongaigaon was divided up to give way for Chirang district. Bongaigaon has a major petrochemical industry, the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL BGR). The town occupied a place in the map of Indian Railway with the establishment of the railway station in the year 1908. Most of the institutions like ITI, Bongaigaon College, Office of the Assam State Electricity Board in the early 1960s and in fact the very base of the development of the town was laid in this decade only. The development further gained momentum with the establishment of the Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (BRPL) Complex in the year 1972 at Dhaligaon and also Thermal Power Plant at Salakati. Though these areas are not within the limit of Bongaigaon Municipality the town also caters to the demand of this population. The Bongaigaon Town Committee was first constituted in the year 1961 and was upgraded to a Municipal Board in the year 1977. Presently the Municipal Area consists of 25 nos. of wards covering an area of 14.31 sq m.

The city today has evolved to be one of the major commercial and business hubs of the state with growing numbers of shopping malls, restaurants, hotels, residential apartments and educational institutions. The city also serves as the base for tourism to famous places such as the Manas National Park. Centrally located within the state, the city depicts a vibrant Assamese township and culture, making it one of the most preferred places for local people to congregate.

Localities in Bongaigaon

• Mayapuri
• Borpara
• Paglasthan
• Mahabeersthan
• Chapaguri
• Dhaligaon
• New Bongaigaon
• Borsongaon
• Deuripara
• BOC Gate
• Rolling Mill
• Dolaigaon
• Notunpara
• Kururmari
• Hatimutra
• Salbari
• New Colony (Railway)
• Old Colony (Railway)
• Salbagan

Geography

Bongaigaon is located at 26.47°N 90.57°E / 26.47; 90.57. Bongaigaon is situated at an average altitude of 62.6 m with the cardinal points 26028" east latitude and 90034" north longitude. The town is situated at a distance of 200 km west from the State Capital and occupies an important place in the communication network in Assam as well as north east India. The New Bongaigaon railway station is a major junction connecting Assam with the rest of India. This town is also very well connected by road through the National Highway 31 B and 31C. This connectivity and the strategic location of the town in the regional set up has helped it to emerge as an important centre in trade and commerce in Western Assam serving a vast hinterland. It is one of the biggest industrial towns in Lower Assam.

Panoramic day view of Mayapuri, Bongaigaon

Demography

As of the 2011 India census, Bongaigaon district had a population of 1,09,810 (UA). Hinduism is the major religion in the district. Bongaigaon has an average literacy rate of 70.44%.with male literacy of 75.48% and female literacy of 65.18%.Most of the residents outside city areas are farmers. The majority of the city population work in service industry.

See also: List of cities in the North East and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Bir Chilarai Flyover

See also: Bir Chilarai Flyover, Bongaigaon City

Night view of Bir Chilarai Flyover

Recently in 2010 Bongaigaon city built a designable flyover in the city. The flyover connect three part of the city

1. New Bongaigaon with West Part of Bongaigaon
2. North Part of Bongaigaon City with Central Part of Bongaigaon
3. New Bongaigaon with North Part of Bongaigaon City

The flyover controlled the busy railway traffic and also the road traffic of the city. Now Bongaigaon city can't handle the whole communication of vehicle and train without the Bir Chilarai Flyover.

History

Creation

The decision of the government of Assam was taken in 1989, to create a new district of Bongaigaon, carving out some areas of the Goalpara and Kokrajhar District with its headquarters located at Bongaigaon. On 29 September 1989, the creation of Bongaigaon District was declared by the Government of Assam with its headquarters at Bongaigaon. In 2005, Government of Assam declared Bongaigaon town as a city.

Evening Skyline of Bongaigaon City, Paglasthan

Background

The original Goalpara district was first created in AD 1822 by David Scott, an employee of East India Company, who was the first Commissioner of newly created North East Rangpur district Hd. Qr. at Rangpur town (now in Bangla Desh) and newly created Goalpara district was also tagged with North-East Rangpur district for administration. The erstwhile Bijni Kingdom's area which included the undivided Garo Hills district area also constituted the original Goalpara district area in 1822. In 1866 Garo Hills was separated from Goalpara district area and in the same year a new district named "Greater Koch Behar" was created and the residual portion of Goalpara district was withdrawn from Rangpur and tagged with Koch Behar. In 1874 a new province named Assam Valley Province was created by the British government (successor of East India Company) and Goalpara district area was withdrawn from Koch Behar and tagged with Assam Province which continues till today unless petty political gambling disturbs. Now the original Goalpara district has given birth to five districts namely (i) Goalpara (ii) Dhubri (iii) Kokrajhar (iv) Bongaigaon and (v) Chirang.

Bijni Kingdom

The Bijni Kingdom was situated between 250 53' and 260 32' N. and 900 85' and 910 85' E. The estate was in possession of the Bijni family, descended from the Koch king Nara Narayan, who reigned over Kamata kingdom from 1534 to 1584. Before his death, Nara Narayana allowed his kingdom to be divided between his son Lakshmi Narayan and his nephew Raghu Rai (son of Chilarai). Raghu Rai established his capital at Barnagar in the Barpeta (now a district in Assam), and received as his share the Koch territories lying to the east of Sankosh River.

After the death of Nara Narayan in 1584, Raghu Rai declared independence. The eastern kingdom ruled by Raghu Rai came to be called Koch Hajo and the western Koch Bihar.Soon after the declaration of independence, the two kingdoms started showing hostilities against each other. Raghu Rai was succeeded by his son Parikshit Narayan and was defeated in 1602 by the army of Nawab of Dhaka (governor for the Mughals) who was moved by Lakshmi Narayan (ruler of Koch Bihar). Parikshit was defeated at Dhubri (now a district in Assam) and sued for peace. But soon, he continued with the hostilities and in 1614 was driven up to Pandu, now in Guwahati. There, Parikshit surrendered and agreed to become a vassal of the Mughal Empire. But before he could take up this assignment he died. The Mughals then appointed Kabisekhar as the kanungo and instructed Sheikh Ibrahim Karori to set up a Mughal system of administration. Parikshit's son Bijit Narayan, was confirmed by the Mughals as 'jamindar' of the area between the river Manas and the Sankosh, and from him the Bijni family descended. The name "Bijni", now a sub-division of Chirang district of Bodoland Territorial Area in Assam, comes from the name of the king Bijit Narayan.

Under the Mughal rule, the Bijni king Bijit Narayan paid a tribute of Rs. 5,998 which was afterward commuted to an annual delivery of 68 elephants. During the last two decades of the 17th century, the Mughals lost their influence on Assam while the East India Company gradually started strengthening their foothold in different parts of India including Bengal.

The East India Company was awarded the 'diwani' or overlordship of Bengal by the empire following the Battle of Buxar in 1764 and the company came to an agreement (known as Permanent Settlement) with Bengali landlords in 1793 to fix revenues to be raised from land. With the Treaty of Yandaboo in 1826, the East India Company finally took control of both Eastern Assam and Western Assam. However, it was doubtful whether Goalpara was ever included in the Permanent Settlement. According to The Imperial Gazetteer of India (Volume 8), a small assessment from the Bijni kingdom was always accepted in lieu of land revenue, though it has sometimes been argued it was nothing more than a tribute. The Imperial Gazetteer of India, which was published in 1902, states that the Bijni family paid a revenue of Rs. 1,500 and cesses amounting to nearly Rs. 19,000 for an estate which covered an area of 950 square miles (2,500 km2) with an estimated rent-roll of Rs. 2 lakh.

On the conclusion of the Bhutan war (or Duar War) fought between British India and Bhutan in 1864–1865, the Bijni family put forward claims to hold a large tract of land in the Eastern Duir which they alleged that they were in possession under the Bhutan government. The claim was admitted and in 1870 a settlement was effected with the Court of Wards on behalf of the minor Bijni Raja. The present extent of the estate to which they were entitled was still a matter of uncertainty, but in 1882 it was ruled by the government of India that the Raja should receive 130,000 acres (530 km2) of land. These estates generally remained under the direct management of the government, who allowed to the Raja 7.5 percent of the collections as his share of profits.

Rulers of Ancient Bijni Kingdom

• Bijit Narayan (alias Chandra Narayan)
• Joy Narayan
• Shiv Narayan
• Bijoy Narayan
• Mukunda Narayan
• Haridev Narayan
• Indra Narayan
• Amrit Narayan
• Kumud Narayan
• Jogendra Narayan
• Bhairabendra Narayan

Industries

Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bongaigaon

The Bongaigaon Refinery is the eighth largest refinery of Indian Oil. Formed upon the amalgamation of Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (BRPL) with Indian Oil on March 25. 2009, Bongaigaon refinery is situated at Dhaligaon in Chirang district of Assam, 200 km west of Guwahati.

Bongaigaon Refinery Main Gate side of National Highway No. 31 (A1)

It has two Crude Distillation Units (CDU), two Delayed Coker Units (DCU) and a Coke Calcination Unit (CCU) with a processing capacity of 2.35 MMTPA of crude oil. The first CDU with a capacity of 1 MMTPA was commissioned in 1979. The capacity was further increased to 1.35 MMTPA in 1986. An LPG bottling plant with a capacity of 44,000 MTPA was also commissioned in 2003.

The refinery produces a wide range of petroleum products, namely LPG, Naphtha, MS, SKO, HSD, LDO, LSHS, LVFO, RPC, CPC, Needle coke and solvents (Petrosol and Bonmex-II) by processing Assam Crude and Ravva Crude (from the Ravva oil fields of Krishna Godavari Basin). Bongaigaon refinery has also undertaken special endeavours towards environment protection and conservation. The refinery has developed an ecological park and a pond surrounding it containing 65,000 cubic metres of water, through which the storm water drains of the plant are routed for final discharge. Another natural pond with a capacity of 30,000 cubic metres of water has developed into an environment-friendly park-cum-pond for migratory birds. In addition, a rain water harvesting system has been installed in the Bongaigaon township complex and the installation of solar water heating systems (SWHS) and solar photovoltaic systems (streetlights) is underway.

In recognition of its green initiatives, Bongaigaon refinery has been a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, the latest being the National Award for "Prevention of Pollution" from the Ministry of Environment and Forests on September 16, 2010. The award acknowledges the Refinery's outstanding contribution in environmental conservation and creating environmental awareness in the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District region of Assam, which is predominantly a tribal dominated area. Bongaigoan Refinery is the country's first oil Refinery to have won this coveted honour. Last year the Refinery was honoured with the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puruskar by the Ministry of Environment, as well as the 'Greentech Environment Excellence Gold Award 2008' and the 'Indira Gandhi Paryavarn Puraskar 2006' for its outstanding environment performance.

Evening view of BGR Township Gate No. 2

Bongaigaon Refinery Township (BGR Township)

See also: BGR Township, India

BGR Township is an quarter campus of the employees of IOCL BGR. The town is located in Dhaligaon near Bongaigaon Refinery. In the township there are two schools, BGR HS School and DPS Dhaigaon. There are three luxury guest houses here. These are:

• Manas Guest House
• Deosri Guest House
• Manjira House

There are also two clubs:

• RCCC Club & Auditorium
• Champa Club & Play Hub

Mayapuri Cinema, Mayapuri City Centre

Entertainment

In the city there is a movie theatre (Cinema Hall) named Mayapuri Cinema. Prakash Cinema which is situated in the north part of the town has been closed down.

Shopping & Entertainment

The shopping galore can be ideal for a family outing. There are various public markets in the city for the different part of the city, those are mainly Boro Bazaar, (Borpara), Balaji Market (B.O.C Gate), China Market (New Bongaigaon), Tuniapaar Bazaar (near New Bongaigaon railway station), Dhaligaon Bazaar (near Bongaigaon Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited), Chapaguri Hat (near NH-31, Gate of Bongaigaon City), Dangtola Bazaar & Railway Market New Bongaigaon etc.

People

From the chequered historical background of this district, it can easily be surmised that the entire area was ruled by Kings/Zaminders/Feudal Lords hailing from the Koch-Rajbongshies belonging to Indo-Mongoloid ethnic group of peoples right from the 15th century to the end of princely states in AD 1956. The kings of this area had their hoary past and can be traced back to the "Kiratees" of epic age (Mahabharata fame) that is pre-vedic age. These Kiratees of dimpast are also mentioned in Kalika Purana and Jogingi Tantra and also in histories written both by native and foreign scholars.

Socio-cultural spectrum

Apart from prevalent common environment in the erstwhile Bijni Kingdom and undivided Goalpara district of 1822, the most striking features of Bongaigaon district are the Hilly Caves (Gumphas) and stone carvings of Jogighopa hill-rocks demonstrating the existence of Buddhist culture. The hills and the hilly rocks, the rivers, natural and man made ponds, the deep forest, the trees, plants and the bushes.

A park at Bongaigaon

Natural resource base

The district falls under Brahmaputra river basin. The district has a large reservoir of water resources with the river Brahmaputra and its two tributaries of Ai and Manas. The soil type is generally sandy to sandy loam with alluvial deposits. Among the 15 agro-climatic regions of the country, categorised/identified on the basis of homogeneity in agro-characteristics, Bongaigaon falls in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley zone. The agro climatic conditions of the district are conducive to various agricultural activities. The topography of the district represents mostly plain lands except a small portion of isolated hills in Bijni sub-division, bordering Bhutan. The district is drained by the Brahmaputra on the south and two of its major tributaries viz. Ai & Manas flowing from north to south. About 72 percent of normal rainfall is received during May to August. Agriculture in the district is characterised by over dependence on rainfall, predominance of seasonal crops and traditional methods of cultivation. The forest cover in the district is estimated to be 56598 hectares i.e. 22.6 percent of its total geographical area as per the estimates of Forest Statistics of Assam 2005. The Manas National Park is a wildlife forest reserve which lies in the northern part of the district.

Climate

Climate data for Bongaigaon
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	30 (86)	33 (91)	38 (100)	40 (104)	38 (100)	40 (104)	37 (99)	37 (99)	37 (99)	35 (95)	32 (90)	28 (82)	40 (104)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	23 (73)	25 (77)	30 (86)	31 (88)	31 (88)	31 (88)	32 (90)	32 (90)	31 (88)	30 (86)	27 (81)	24 (75)	29 (84)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	10 (50)	12 (54)	15 (59)	20 (68)	22 (72)	25 (77)	25 (77)	25 (77)	24 (75)	21 (70)	16 (61)	11 (52)	19 (66)
Record low °C (°F)	−2 (28)	−3 (27)	4 (39)	11 (52)	16 (61)	18 (64)	20 (68)	21 (70)	20 (68)	9 (48)	0 (32)	−1 (30)	−3 (27)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	11.4 (0.45)	12.8 (0.50)	57.7 (2.27)	142.3 (5.60)	248.0 (9.76)	350.1 (13.78)	353.6 (13.92)	269.9 (10.63)	166.2 (6.54)	79.2 (3.12)	19.4 (0.76)	5.1 (0.20)	1,717.7 (67.63)
Source: wunderground.com

Transport

Air

The nearest domestic and international airport is Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati.

New Bongaigaon Railway Junction (Front View)

Railways

See also: New Bongaigaon railway station

Bongaigaon falls under the Northeast Frontier Railway zone of the Indian Railways.There are two stations in Bongaigaon - New Bongaigaon railway station (2nd largest railway junction of Assam state) and Bongaigaon (old) station. Major trains serving Bongaigaon with major cities are Guwahati Rajdhani Express, Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express, Saraighat Express, Brahmaputra Mail, North-East Express, Guwahati Bangalore Express, Guwahati Ernakulam Express, Kamrup Express. It is the largest station in Western Assam after Guwahati. According to 2012 budget, New Bongaigaon Jn. is considered to be the Adarsh Station of India.

Biodiversity Special train name Science Express stands on platform of New Bongaigaon Railway Junction

Dibrugrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express on the platform no.3 of New BNGN Jn. Station

Construction of the 265 km (165 mi) long 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) wide broad gauge Siliguri-Jogihopa line, between 1963 and 1965, brought broad gauge railways to Assam. It also was the reason for setting up the New Bongaigaon railway station.

New railway track from New Bongaigaon to Guwahati was commissioned in 1984.

Saraighat Bridge opened in 1962, initially carried a metre gauge track, which was later replaced by broad gauge.

Electrification of New Bongaigaon Rly. Jn.

Electrification of the Barauni-Katihar-Guwahati line was sanctioned in 2008. In the document on Vision 2020 – A Blue Print for Railway Electrification Programme, in the list of ongoing projects the entire route km (836) is shown as balance work as on 1 April 2010. The entire electrification project is scheduled to be completed by October, 2015.

Roadways

National Highway 31 connects Bongaigaon with the states Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. National Highway 37 via Naranarayan Setu from Goalpara in Assam to Dimapur in Nagaland traverses the entire length of Assam and connects Bongaigaon with almost all the major cities of Assam including the cities of Jorhat and Dibrugarh. National Highway 31C connects Bongaigaon to Guwahati and National Highway 37 also connects Bongaigaon with Guwahati. There are many bus terminals like ASTC Bongaigaon, Barpara Private, Chapaguri Bus Stand. There are many buses which connect Bongaigaon with major cities of Assam like Mangaldai, Dhubri, Barpeta, Tezpur, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Siliguri, Cooch Behar and Guwahati etc.

Media

The most popular Assamese newspaper of Assam Asomiya Pratidin is published from Bongaigaon along with Guwahati, Dibrugarh and North Lakhimpur.

Sports

The town has an indoor stadium named Chilarai Indoor Stadium and Swimming Pool At Borpara and a Mini Stadium Near Chapguri Road.

Chilarai Indoor Stadium

NTPC Bongaigaon

The NTPC project at Bongaigaon, NTPC Bongaigaon, a (3X250MW) is slated for commissioning. Assam will receive 300MW from Bongaigaon project. The total land requirement is 964 acres which is already available. The total project cost is estimated at Rs 40600 million.

Places of interest

Koyakujia Bil

Koya Kujia Eco Park, a project undertaken by Assam Tourism Development Corporation, is a popular tourist attraction situated near Abhayapuri about 15 kilometers from Bongaigaon. It attracts thousands of local and foreign tourists every season. The vast water land consisting of small islands flourish with myriad flora & fauna. Many migratory birds migrate to this place during the winter.

Bagheswari Temple

Bagheshwari Temple is a famous temple for religious in Western Assam. The temple is located in the middle part of the city. It is in the place Borpara of the city.

Bagheswari Hill

Bagheswari hill is situated in the middle of the city. From the highest point of the hill, a beautiful view can be seen of the whole city. Here is also a nice Shiv temple in the highest point.

Jogighopa and Pancharatna

Jogighopa and Pancharatna are two historic sites situated on either bank of Brahmaputra river, in Assam. Pancharatna lies on the southern bank and is about 160 kilometres west of Guwahati by road. Jogighopa lies on the northern bank and is about 212 km from Guwahati by Northern Highways. Some cubicles which are cut on step rocks, supposed to have been used by monks for meditation in the medieval period, are found here. Most of caves found in here are very small. Pancharatna boasts some ruins of a post Gupta temple and some also rock cut ruins including a monolithic Buddhist stupa.

Kachugaon Game Reserve

Kachugaon Game Reserve is located in Kachugaon of Bongaigaon district of Assam. It is a protected area under the forest department of Assam. Kachugaon covers an area of around 214 km² and has rare and endangered species such a gaur, golden langur, spotted deer and elephant.

Kakoijana Reserved Forest

(For golden langur and birds) KakoiJana Reserved Forest is an ideal spot for eco-tourism, KakoiJana was declared as a reserve forest in April 1966. Located 15 km away from Bongaigaon city towards the east, now it has been upgraded as a wildlife sanctuary, covering an area around 20 km².

Aai River Sand

Aai is a sub river of The mighty Brahmaputra. Its sandy bank is a very beautiful picnic point of the whole Assam. The border of Assam and Bhutan hill area is very amazing for the tourists.

Roumari Dam

Roumari Dam is well known Dam of the whole Western Assam. It is 10 km away from the city. It is famous picnic spot for the people of Assam. It is also in the border of India and Bhutan. The Dam is on Aai river.

Bongaigaon City Garden

The park is a beautiful green garden for the whole city. This garden includes a big pool for the boating. Here is also much of playing things for the children of the city. It is also a well known place of the city.

Gateway of Sri Surya Pahar

Manas River Point

The Manas River (Pron: ˈmʌnəs) is a transboundary river in the Himalayan foothills between southern Bhutan and India. It is named after Manasa, the serpent god in Hindu mythology. It is the largest river system of Bhutan, among its four major river systems; the other three are Amo Chu or Torsa, Wong Chu or Raidak, and Mo Chu or Sankosh. It is met by three other major streams before it again debouches into India in western Assam. The total length of the river is 376 kilometres (234 mi): it flows through Bhutan for 272 kilometres (169 mi) and then through Assam for 104 kilometres (65 mi) before it joins the mighty Brahmaputra River at Jogighopa. Another major tributary of the Manas, the Aie river joins it in Assam at Bangpari.

The river valley has two major reserve forest areas, namely the Royal Manas National Park (43,854 hectares (108,370 acres), established in 1966) in Bhutan and the contiguous Manas Wildlife Sanctuary (391,000 hectares (970,000 acres) in 1955 increased to 95,000 hectares (230,000 acres) in December 1985) encompassing Project Tiger Reserve, an Elephant Reserve and a Biosphere Reserve, which constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage Site declared in December 1985.

Sri Surjya Pahar

Sri Surya Pahar (Assamese: শ্ৰী সূৰ্য পাহাৰ) is a significant but relatively unknown archaeological site in Assam, India. The site is a hilly terrain where several rock-cut Shivalingas, votive stupas and the deities of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pantheon are scattered in an area of about one km. The site is centred on the hills (Pahar) of Sri Surya which is profusely filled up with Shiva Lingas (Lingam). The popular belief is that 99999 Shiva Lingas were engraved here by Vyasa in order to build up a second Kashi (where there were 1,00000 Shiva Lingas) and once it was one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the region. There is no historical evidence exactly how many Lingams once dotted these hills, but still there are hundreds of them, from tiny to large in size, scattered everywhere at the foot of the hill and covering the extensive area after centuries of neglect and pilferage. The exact figure of the Lingas (and also other deities and relics) in the hill is yet to be counted scientifically.

Manas National Park

Bongaigaon city is the entry point for the Manas National Park. Manas National Park or Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India. Located in the Himalayan foothills, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. The park is known for its rare and endangered endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare, golden langur and pygmy hog. Manas is famous for its population of the wild water buffalo.

Lalmati-Duramari Ganesh Temple

The Lalmati-Duramari Ganesh Temple near Abhayapuri town under North Salmara Sub-Division, is one of the oldest temples of the state.
The historicity of the images are yet to be ascertained. But after a study of the stone carving and modes related to the carved idols, archeologists opine that the temple and images belong to the 8th to 10th centuries AD
There are three views advanced as the reason for destruction of the temple. The first view has it that earthquakes during the 8th and 10th centuries destroyed the temple and its images, while according to the second view, Kalapahar who revolted against worshippers and priests, destroyed the temple along with other temples and images in the North-East. The third view has it that Burmese (Maan) invaders who camped at Malegarh (Manegarh) hills destroyed the temple along with the idols. But it seems that earthquake has been the prime cause of the destruction of the temple.

Rock Cut Caves

The best specimens of the architecture of the Salasthambha period are the remains of the five rock-cut caves at Jogighopa on the bank of the Brahmaputra in the district of Bongaigaon. These are the unique examples of rock-cut architecture in Assam. Though these rock-cut caves are not of such architectural interest as those in Western India, these remains at Jogighopa are the clear evidence of the fact that Assam was not outside the movement of this particular type of art developed in India as it will be seen from description of the best preserved cave noticed at Jogighopa.
The cave measures 2.60 m breadth, 1.8 metre in depth and 1.90 metre in height and also has a roughly rounded ceiling and in front a verandah 75 cm long by 35 cm broad. A platform of brick and mud masonry is found inside which is obviously a later addition. A chase running across the entire breath of the cave on the top serves to drain away rain water from the facade. Flights of steps have been cut into the rock on either side and ledge on the top diverts the rain water from the facade. The cave bears no sculptural designs. The other caves at the site have no flights and verandah and are smaller in size than the best preserved one.
This architectural site has been taken up by the Archaeological Survey of India for preservation.

List of hospitals

There are 9 hospitals in the Bongigaon city, the list is given below.

• S M Hospital
• Lower Assam Hospital And Research Centre
• Swagat Hospital
• Chilarai Nursing Home
• St. Augustine's Hospital
• Bongaigaon Civil Hospital

Bongaigaon Civil Hospital, Hatimura (OG)

• Kajalgaon Civil Hospital
• New Bongaigaon Railway Hospital
• Bongaigaon Refinery Hospital

Bongaigaon Refinery HS School, Dhaligaon

Education

The number of schools kept rising after the refinery started functioning. Although, there are a good number of schools. Renowned among them are :

Schools in Bongaigaon

1. Bongaigaon Refinery HS School, Dhaligaon (previously BRPL Vidyalaya)
2. Birjhora Higher Secondary School
3. Bongaigaon Railway Higher Secondary School
4. DPS Dhaligaon, Bongaigaon Refinery
5. Kendriya Vidyalaya New Bongaigaon
6. Bongaigaon High School English Mefium (Menon's)
7. Santi Dham Kalibari High School
8. Vivekananda Vidyapith Higher Secondary School
9. Hindi Higher Secondary School
10. Little Flower School, Chapaguri
11. St. Albert's High School, New Bongaigaon
12. Holy Child EM High School
13. Jnanodoy Higher Secondary School
14. Gyanadai Jatiya Vidyalaya
15. Dhaligaon L.P School, Dhaligaon
16. Dhaligaon High School, Dhaligaon
17. Chapaguri M.E School, Chapaguri
18. Shankardev Sishuneketan
19. Shankardev Academy, Borpara
20. Trinity English Medium
21. Netaji Bidyaniketan M.E. School, Netaji Nagar, Paulpara
22. Bongaigaon Model School
23. LB Academy
24. Morning Glory School
25. Pranab Academy
26. Pranab Vidyapeeth, Mahabirsthan
27. Girls' M.V. School
28. Borpara L.P School
29. Hindi High School, side of flyover, Mahabeersthan
30. St. Francis D'Assisi School, Nayapara
31. North Salmara Buniyadi School
32. JB High School, Salbari
33. Netajee Vidyapith, BG Colony
34. Netajee Vidyapith, Natunpara
35. Mulagaon High School
36. Lal Bahadur Shastri Vidyapith, Salbari
37. Jawaharlal Navoday Vidyapith, Mulagaon
38. St. Xavier's Public School
39. Chilarai Jatiya Vidyalaya, Aatugaon
40. Sungaputa Nimna Buniyadi School.
41. Jnanpith Jatiya Vidyalaya, Jogighopa.
42. G.M.High School,Jogighopa
43. K.R.G. Hindi High School, Bongaigaon
44. P.K.M. English Medium School, Dhaligaon

But seeing the results for quite a few years, the number of schools are on rise.

DPS Dhaligaon

Kids activity school

• Dafodill
• Sunflower
• KidZEE
• Euro Kids
• Kinder Garden, Natunpara
• Kinder Garden, Dhaligaon (inside BGR Township)
• Kids Model School
• Morning Glory Kids
• Kids veda

Colleges

• Bongaigaon College, established in 1964
• Birjhora Mahavidyalaya (Degree Science College)
• Bongaigaon Law College
• Bongaigaon B.Ed College
• Birjhora Kanya Mahavidyalaya
• Upendranath Brahma College, Bongaigaon-783385
• SAI Institute (A college for professional excellence)

Junior Colleges

• Gyanjyoti Jr. College (Arts & Commerce)
• Bongaigaon Jr. College
• S.R Academy
• BGR Higher Secondary
• Don Bosco Junior College
• Sankar Madhab Academy

3G Services

Bongaigaon UA has also high speed 3G services in the city and include with its outgrowths. The carriers give 3G service to the city. List is here:

Carrier	Speed	Available areas
Aircel	Up to 3.6 Mbit/s	Bongaigaon Main Town, Dhaligaon, BGR Township, Dolaigaon (OG), Kukurmari (OG)
Airtel	Up to 6.5 Mbit/s	Bongaigaon Main Town, Dhaligaon, New Bongaigaon Rly. Colony, BGR Township, Dangtol (OG), Dolaigaon (OG), Kukurmari (OG), Borsongaon (OG), Notunpara (OG), Dangtol Gate (OG),
Idea Cellular	Up to 3.6 Mbit/s	Bongaigaon Main Town, Dhaligaon, New Bongaigaon
BSNL	Up to 15 Mbit/s	Dhaligaon (OG), New Bongaigaon Rly. Colony (CT), BGR Township (CT), Dolaigaon (OG), Kukurmari (OG), New Colony (OG), Dangtol (OG), Notunpara (OG), Borsongaon (OG), Tengaigaon (OG), Mulagaon (OG), Deuripara (OG), Borpara, Mayapuri, Paglasthan, Chapaguri, BOC Gate, ITI Area, Rakhaldubi (OG), Bongaigaon to North Salmara Road, Bhageswari Hill, Polytechnic Area, Sohidbedi, Bhaulaguri (OG)
Reliance	Up to 3.6 Mbit/s	Bongaigaon Main Town, Dhaligaon, BGR Township (CT), Dolaigaon (OG), Kukurmari (OG)

Politics

Bongaigaon is part of Barpeta (Lok Sabha constituency).

See also

• Bongaigaon Municipal Board
• List of cities in Assam by population
• List of cities in the North East and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by population
• Bir Chilarai Flyover, Bongaigaon City
• New Bongaigaon railway station

External links

• Bongaigaon District official govt. website
• Bongaigaon travel guide from Wikivoyage