STUDY TOUR TO SRI SURYA PAHAR ORGANIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
The Department of History, Don Bosco College, Tura, organized a one-day study tour to Sri Surya Pahar, an archaeological site bearing relics of ancient period, on 6th August 2022. Total of thirty-eight students of the 5th Semester History (Hons) accompanied by three Asst. Professors set off to witness this monumental evidence of ancient period which cradled Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Sri Surya Pahar evoked the curiosity of the historical minds of the college as we traveled on towards our destination.
After an arduous journey of four hours, we reached the destination at 12:00 noon. This sacred hill associated with Sun worship lies in the district of Goalpara, Assam. The lush green surrounding dotted with historical sites captivated our minds as we took in the view of the entrance. Thereupon we started exploring the place.
The first site which we got to see was a Shiva temple which is currently being extended. A hundred-meter walk from the Shiva Temple took us to an ancient temple complex on the left side. This temple complex is spacious and still holds evidence of different room partitions; some being the sacrificial altar, mandapas and a room where the monks lived, among others. The next site to behold was a Buddhist stupa. It was the first time seeing a stupa for most of us. Then we took a flight of stairs to our left and came to a designed water way emboldened by boulder of rocks at its entrance with twin small Shivalingas on it. Crossing the water-way, we climbed a flight of stairs to reach a Jain cave. Again, this was a first time seeing a Jain cave and the carvings of Lord Mahavira at the entrance of the cave amazed us. Next, we hiked the hill further stopping to catch our breaths on the way and at last reached another cave. We paused there for a bit, enjoyed the scenic view of the horizon below and disembarked the hill. Reaching the base of the hill next we turned towards the right side of the entrance and went on to see a functioning temple and another 200-300 meters walk took us to another functioning temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. From then on, we passed by a pond where boating facility is available and moved on to see a hillock strewn with numerous Shivalingas. Lastly, we took a right turn and climbed up a hillock and feasted with a sight of three large Stupas atop a large boulder. After having seen all the excavated sites, we returned to the entrance, had lunch and devoted our attention to a small museum. Spectacular artefacts are displayed in this museum such as a stone sculpture of Mahishasura Mardini, terracotta of Divine figure, panels of Buddha from 11th, 8th and 5th centuries C.E. respectively.
Having fed our historical belly, we left the place to visit Naranarayan Setu, Jogigopa and finally returned to Tura. It was as late as 8:00 pm by the time we made it back to Tura. Inscribing the days memories, visuals and knowledge in our head as well as on our phones’ gallery we headed to our respective homes hungry and weary.
It was a great learning experience altogether.
