Kokrajhar

Kokrajhar was originally a part of the undivided Goalpara district. In 1957 it was carved out as a Civil Subdivision from the then Dhubri Subdivision of Goalpara district by the Chief Minister of Assam at that time. Till then it was merely a small town with a railway station.On 1st July 1983, it was upgraded into a district. Kokrajhar has always enjoyed good trade relations with Bhutan. It has transformed into a major railway station since then with direct trains to major cities like Kolkata and Chennai.

Although the residents mainly speak Bodo now, the early settlers of Kokrajhar were Mon-Khmer speakers who were later pushed over by Tibeto-Burman speakers that migrated from Tibet and China. The settlement of the Bodo people started with the earliest ruler of Assam, Kalika Purana, who belonged to the Bodo tribe. According to the late texts, the last rulers of Naraka dynasty that ruled Assam fought for Kauravas in the famous battle of Mahabharat and were slain by mighty Krishna himself.

Kokrajhar has a rich cultural diversity and is home to many beautiful temples.

Hanuman Temple: The famous Hanuman Temple in Kokrajhar is a go-to destination for all devotees of Lord Hanuman. The ancient architecture of the temple coupled with the peace and serenity in the air fill a wave of tranquility in the minds of the devotees.

Brahma Mandir: Lord Brahma is the creator of the entire universe, or the entire 'Brahma' as they say in Sanskrit. This temple allows its devotees the opportunity to connect with the great Lord Brahma and surrender themselves in his divinity. The atmosphere of the temple is pious and pure. It takes over one's awareness of every care and fear in the world and lets you dig deep into the power of prayer.

The temples are open to everyone from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day, including weekends and public holidays. It's true when they say the lord never rests!
No entry fee of any sort is charged to anyone who wishes to seek blessings of the lord.

The Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is a must visit tourist attraction if you visit Kokrajhar. It covers about 46 sq. kms and is popular for its inhabitation of the exotic Golden Langur, making it the second protected habitat of the Golden Langur in India.

Home to Leopards, Leopard Cats, Rhesus Macaques, Porcupines, Asiatic Jackals; this sanctuary aims at preserving a healthy habitat for these creatures. The Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary is also the abode of 250 endangered bird species! The Night Heron, Open Billed Stork, Lesser Whistling Teal, Hornbill, etc. are a few of these unfortunately endangered creatures. The beauty and diversity of this sanctuary are added to by the 23 different species of amphibians that call this sanctuary their home. With over 40 species of butterflies fluttering from flower to flower, and 60 kinds of insects making faint noises that replicate the rhythm of a soothing song, a tour of this sanctuary can really relieve one of the stress of our fast-paced lives.

The two adjacent lakes of Dheer and Deeplai contribute greatly to building an accommodating environment for these beautiful creatures. The fauna in this sanctuary is also truly admirable. The skyscraper trees stand tall and mimic a roof for its familial wildlife. To be away from the hustle and bustle of the city and into the serene wild forest is a drastic change of atmosphere.

The birdsongs in the air fill the vibe with peace, with the tiniest hint of playfulness. It’s almost as if the birds and insects are talking to each other! The air is so pure and clean. A whiff of this unhampered breeze refreshes every inch of your body. To witness these creatures in their own habitat, enjoying their unhampered freedom, is a memory that stays with you. No movie can ever capture the true essence of this spectacular scene.

The sanctuary allows a perfect setting for wildlife photography and also has provisions for trekking. Located only 7 kms away from Kokrajhar, this sanctuary invites visitors all year long. However, due to this region being prone to heavy rainfall, it is best to avoid visits in the monsoon.

Don't forget to carry your camera and a pair of binoculars!

Avoid visiting the district in monsoons as Kokrajhar tends to get very humid during the rainy season and the heavy rainfall could be problematic as well.

Kokrajhar is well connected by trains and buses and taxis are easily available as well.