Top Places to visit in Bishwanath, Bishwanath Chariali, Assam

Beyond Biswanath Chariali, towards south, there is Biswanath Ghat, also called popularly as "Gupta Kashi". The town is named after the ancient Biswanath mandir. It is called Gupta Kashi, in comparison with Kashi during the golden rule of the Guptas. Going by popular sayings, Kashi was home to temple of 330 million gods. The ghat has a cluster of temples of different gods. A Siva temple was located at the confluence of Bridhaganga (Burigonga) river with Brahmaputra. But now what is left is just the stone posts, beams and other ruins. During the summer the temple remains under water.Only in winter worship is done by constructing temporary shed which draws lot of tourists. On the third day of Assamese Bihu festival a mela is held at a place called Pani Bharal. The deity is taken from Biswnath Ghat to this place for a day and returns to Ghat.there.The mela is celebrated to commemorate the Guxai Bihu festival. Another Siva temple was built in higher ground. But it submerged under ground during the great earthquake of 1897. It could only be partly raised by engineers.The current Biswanath temple had been built in lieu of it. One can visit from here the island of Umatumuni, an archaeologically famous place. Then there is the Siva dol in reverence of God Siva, built by Ban, the king of Tezpur of Hari Harar Yudha fame.The problem of infiltration by Bangladeshis is a major concern over here.Most of the villages consists of people belong to scheduled castes. If you plan to visit Gupta Kashi, it is recommended that you stay in Biswanath Chariali city.Most of the nationalised banks and few prominent private banks have branches in Chariali . ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) of most of these banks are available for transactions.

Apart from its historical religious importance, Biswanath Ghat was also a river port (Ghat) of inland water transport service started established by the British in the 19th century. Even now Biswanath Ghat is used as a port by various merchant and cargo vessels sailing across river Brahmaputra.

A lamp post was also erected in the river Brahmaputra to serve as a navigational aid for the ferry and vessels. After a glorious existence of around 170 years, this lamp post was washed away by the speedy currents of the river Brahmaputra.

The Nagsankar is a Temple of Lord Shiva situated at Nagshankar village 15 km from Biswanath Chariali on National Highway 52. This temple is said to have been built in 4th century AD. "Nagsankar" temple premises includes a beautiful pond with tortoises who respond to the name "Mohan". Feeding the tortoises is an refreshing experience for the visitors. Marriages are often solemnised in this temple.

Another noteworthy place for visit in this town is the "Gang Mou Than". The great vaishnavite scholar Srimanta Sankardeva is believed to have stayed in this place after crossing the Brahmaputra due scare from enemies.For people visiting other archaeological sites of Biswanath and Gohpur area, Biswanath Chariali provides the base. The Eco-Tourist resort in Biswanth Ghat named after "Green Ashiyana" completed its construction and is a point of attraction in addition with the food facilities. Moreover, one needs to cross the Brahmaputra in order to get access to this resort on the Uma Tumoni Island.

The city is a prominent road junction of NH 15 & Pabhoi Road. It is around 75 km west from Tezpur town.

The city has decorated entrance gate on NH 15 on the western side. It is also connected by Railway network. It is situated on a branch broadgauge line from Rangiya Jn. to Murkongselek. The rail line has been converted to B.G. New trains connecting New Delhi & Itanagar is running through Viswanath Chaiali Railway station, but this train does not have a stop as of now. Two Inter city express connecting Guwahati is running and stops at Viswanath Charali railway station. Viswanath Chariali Railway station has been upgraded to a standard Class III Station. Also one passenger train runs between Dekargaon (Tezpur) to Naharlagun.

Currently Vishwanath Charali (VNE) station is served by Donyi Polo Express from Naharlagun to Guwahati, Lachit Express from Murkongselek to Guwahati and a recently introduced fully Air Conditioned Shatabdi Express from Naharlagun to Guwahati along with a handful of other passenger trains.

The nearest airport is at Tezpur (Salonibari Airport) which has flights to Kolkata and Guwahati (Air India ATR class of aircraft). Day and night service of private and ASTC buses are available from Guwahati to Biswanath Chariali and from here to almost all major towns and cities of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.