Places of Tourist Interest

Tura Peak

A majestic hill stands on the eastern flank of Tura, the largest town in the Garo Hills region of the State. It peaks eight hundred and seventy two metres above sea level over looking Tura. Local legend has it that the peak provides a sacred abode for the ‘Gods’ and claims that it was traditionally known as Dura but the British mistook it for Tura, before it came to be known as such. Since the Tura hill and its peak constitute the water catchments area of Tura town, the whole Tura-range has been declared as a reserve-forest.

A Tourist Bungalow, an Observatory and a Cinchona plantation are located at Tura Peak and its environs. A magnificent view of the lower Brahmaputra Valley as well as the golden yellow plains of Bangladesh is available all year round to viewers on Tura Peak.

During the British regime, the Deputy Commissioner of Garo Hills, used to reside during summer, in a cottage located at the peak and commute down to Tura each day on elephant-back. A decent foot track developed for the Deputy Commissioner’s use is still in existence. It facilitates tourists and adventurers reaching Tura peak with ease and comfort.

Bhaitbari

Located on the century old Mankachar-Phulbari-Goalpara road, on the western frontier of the State, adjoining Goalpara district of Assam, Bhaitbari is a small village of West Garo Hills district. Standing on the banks of river Jinjiram, the village spreads out across the narrow stretch of plain lands of the State, bordering the central hilly plateau.

A few years ago, Bhaitbari shot into prominence as a result of archaeological finds having been uncovered after protracted excavations at Bhaitbari area. The archaeological finds, which have yet to be adequately unravelled, and carbondated are reported to be of considerable antiquity. The finds are of artefacts, which reveal the existence of planned places of worship with exquisitely designed masonry oil lamps.

Excavations which are continuing are likely to reveal further remains of an earlier habitation, besides unravelling the historical antiquity of the plains-belt of the State of which very little is known from recorded history.

The Bhaitbari excavations are certainly of immense historical and anthropological interest and importance.

Kata Beel

Located near Nogorpara village in West Garo Hills district, the beel is about seventy kilometres off Tura on the Tura-Garobadha-Ampatigiri-Mahendraganj road. Tradition has it that this pond was dug and constructed under the instructions of Lengta Raja of the Garos. The beautiful, soothing waters of Kata Beel covers about one hectare of area. The beel is surrounded by a planned plantation of palms.

Kata Beel is a major fishing ground of Garo Hills and well known to anglers and fishermen. A convenient picnic spot which is frequented by young and old alike, particularly during the hot and sultry local summer months.

Darga of Hazrat Shah Kamal Baba

Located at a stone’s throw off the Indo-Bangla frontier, alongside the Dalu-Mahendraganj-Mankachar border road, stands The Darga Sharif of Hazrat Shah Kamal Baba, popularly known as Pirsthan, which has been venerated since centuries. Continuing tradition coming down from the pre-partition East-Bengal times, an annual prayer-mela is held at the Pristhan which is close to Mahendraganj. Devotees from far and near come to the Pristhan for annual prayer and offering with faith and hope as the place is known to be one where prayers find favourable response.

Nokrek

The highest point of the Garo Hills region of the State, Nokrek Peak stands fourteen hundred and twelve metres above sea level. A virgin canopy of thick, tall and lush green forests cover Nokrek and its environs. The mother germo plasm of Citrus-indica have been discovered by science researchers within Nokrek Range. This discovery led to the establishment of the National Citrus Gene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve at Nokrek covering an area of forty-seven square kilometres.

All important rivers and streams of the Garo Hills region rise from the Nokrek Range, of which the river Simsang, known as Someshwari when it emerges into Bangladesh at Baghmara, is the most prominent.

Nokrek can be reached from the Tura-Asanang-Daribokgre Road. A comfortable three-and-a-half kilometre trek from Daribokgre village leads a visitor to Nokrek Peak. Abundant wildlife including herds of wild elephants, rare varieties of birds and pheasants, besides rare orchids abound in the sanctuary.

Mir Jumla’s Tomb

Mir Jumla, one of the most capable of Mughal Generals, was appointed Governor of Bengal around 1659 by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Shortly thereafter, Mir Jumla invaded Assam at the head of a vast army, as an act of attrition against the local ruler who captured some remote areas of Mughal territory on the Bengal frontier. Mir Jumla had considerable initial success and over ran parts of Assam, but the difficult overland routes and the hostile malaria-infested climate took a heavy toll on the Mughal army. This forced Mir Jumla to retreat during 1663 without having fully accomplished the subjugation of Assam. Alas, before the able General could set foot on Bengal again, he was himself run down with the dreaded malaria, to which he succumbed later the same year, near Mankachar in Garo Hills. He was interred at the same place. His simple tomb located on a small hillock has been maintained over the centuries. The tomb reflects a remarkably long grave and bears testimony to the legendary height of Mir Jumla-a true giant among men.

Arbella Peak

A lofty blue hill with an elevation of nine hundred and ninety nine metres above sea level stands on the north-eastern flank of Tura. The hilly range on which it is located is known as Arbella Range and the peak as Arbella Peak. The drive-up to the peak passes through deeply forested glades, full of shrubs and orchids of unparalleled beauty. Wildfowl and pheasants of exciting plumage and colour abound, besides birds of all sizes and variety making the place an idyllic resort of natural joy. A small rest house built by the British Colonialist, a century ago, on the Arbella peak continues to provide visitors with the shelter from the elements.

Rongbang Dare

If one believes that small is beautiful, then the tiny waterfall near Chinabat village to the right of the Tura-Asanangre-Williamnagar State highway is one to be taken into reckoning. This sprightly fall, though perennial, is at its best during the monsoon months. Clustered on either side by vast evergreen hills of bamboos, which sway rhythmically in the wind, the fall itself appears to be on the sway, leaving the viewer with memories of ecstatic joy.

Sasatgre

Located on the hilly crescent –like saddle, at the foot of the Nokrek peak, in the West Garo Hills district, Sasatgre village is accessible by a jeepable road from Oragitok village which lies on the Tura-Asanangre-Williamnagar State highway. The distinguishing feature of this village is that although all the houses are built in the typical Garo Pattern and design, they are spacious, airy, well-built and firm. The winds of development, change and prosperity have not changed the way of life of the Sasatgre villagers and they continue to be the repository of undiluted Garo custom, culture and convention

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Sasatgre has been blessed by nature in so far as orange plantations are concerned and the village is surrounded by healthy, dark green orange bushes, which are highly productive. The village now falls on the periphery of the Nokrek Gene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve.

Asanangre

Located at the junction of the Williamnagar-Tura State highway, Asanangre is a fairly large Garo village where the headquarters of the Rongram Community & Rural development block is located. It is also the venue of the annual Hundred drum Wangala Dance festival which has become a popular tourist attraction.

Travel & Tourist Facilities

The Garo Hills attracted few tourists early days because of poor communication and lack of proper accommodation. However, after the inauguration of the State, steps to improve the facilities were taken up by the State Government through the department of Tourism. The department has set up one Tourist Information Centre at Tura. There are however areas where tourist facilities can be provided as the Garo Hills offers much scope for tourism with sanctuaries and other spots.

There are a few Hotels in the district, most of them in Tura. The State Government maintains a Circuit House in Tura. A number of Dak Bungalows, Rest Houses and Inspection Bungalows are maintained in the district by different departments of the State Government. These are meant primarily for touring officers but most of them are open to tourists, if not otherwise needed, on due payment.

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