Silchar, titled as ‘The Island of Peace’ is in Assam, sited on the banks of the River Barak. It is the tea farming and processing centre of the state. Considered as the trade and industry hub to other North Eastern states including Mizoram and Manipur, it is also headquarter for Cachar District. The town entertains every year the trading community from remote parts of India. The inhabitants of Silchar are mostly Sylhetis and their customs and traditions are prominently displayed in festivals like Gandhi Mela and Durga Puja.
The tea planters, during the British period in Silchar invigorated the game of polo and shaped the first polo club of the world in Silchar. It later housed the first competition of polo game in the country. The memorial inscription for this achievement is inscribed on the rear side of the District Library.
Silchar is acknowledged as the learning center of Assam. It embraces the best educational establishments of North Eastern belt of India like NIT and REC, which are institutes of national repute and honour.
Silchar houses numerous fine restaurants. Food in Silchar works its magic upon all food lovers in places like Hasty Tasty, Riya Palace, Shatabdi Hotel, and Borail View Hotel. The place near women’s college specializes in serving Thai and Chinese fast food.
Silchar is famous for beautiful and unique cane and bamboo furniture pieces like chairs, sofas, tables, trays, mirror frames, flower vases and artefacts. You can also buy ashtrays, décor items and cane boxes as souvenirs from this city for your friends and loved ones. Tourists can choose some unique items from Nagaland handloom shops like woollen shawls, coats and Manipuri handloom items like saris, stoles, bed and pillow covers.
Tourist places worth visiting near Silchar within 6-7 hours’ drive are mentioned below. If you are on an extensive tour, it is worth extending your itinerary to explore some of the below locations.
- Karimganj (About 58 km.): This is a nonchalant, idyllic town speckled with many forests in the adjoining regions. Tourist can trail through the forests with or without a guide and indulge in spotting wild animals and bird watching. Lake Sone, the largest fresh water tectonic lake located here is rich in alluvial deposit and is adorned with tropical evergreen forest on the lakebed.
- Jatinga (About 82 km.): The famous place for orange orchards and migratory birds is tucked in the verdant valleys of North Cachar Hills for tourists to enjoy the serene and virgin beauty of the place.
- Haflong Hill (About 100 km.): This hill station with picturesque scenery is located at a small distance from Silchar.
- Maibong (About 142 km.): The medieval capital of the Dimacha kingdom is famous among travellers for Ramchandi Temple.
- Shillong (About 218 km.): This quaint hill town is located at an elevation of 1500m. It is best to enjoy nature to its fullest with numerous splendid waterfalls, breathtaking mountains, golf course and much more.
- Imphal (About 264 km.): This picturesque little city, embraced with hills dwells in the Basin of Manipur River. Travellers get attracted to the spots created by the erstwhile rulers of the region.
- Guwahati (About 317 km.): The cultural capital of Assam, Guwahati, on the banks of the River Brahmaputra is a pilgrim city. Here you can visit Kamakhya Temple, Navagraha Temple and the Umananda Temple.
- Hajo (About 345 km.): An ancient pilgrim town on the riverbed of Brahmaputra is a popular destination of the city. The main attractions include Hayagriva Madhava Temple and Powa Mecca.
With the best tourist information, you can enrich your tour experience by exploring nearby places like Ambassa, Kohima, Agartala and Itanagar.