AGNIGARH HILLS, SONITPUR, ASSAM.

    

 TRAGIC LOVE STORY & WAR...


                                                                                                                                                                                   


                    In the district of Tezpur, Assam, there is a Hillock on the bank of the mighty River Brahmaputra called Agnigarh Hill. It is the site of the fortress which was built by Banasura to keep his daughter Usha in isolation. The place is well known for the mythological romance associated with it. The name itself is derived from the words “Agni” meaning fire & “Garh” meaning fortress or wall in the “Sanskrit” language.        



                
        


                     According to Hindu mythology, the grandson of Lord Krishna named Aniruddha & the daughter of the Asura King Banasura Usha had fallen in love with each other. However Banasura did not approve the match. He imprisoned Aniruddha & tied him with snakes and imprisoned him in another place & also kept his daughter Usha in seclusion in this (Agnigarh Hill) place. It was believed that this hill had a boundary of fire which no one could cross without the permission of Banasura & thus it was called Agnigarh or the Fort of Fire.




MYTH & STORY ASSOCIATED:


                    Lord Krishna however had agreed for their marriage & had wanted Banasura to consent for the same. But, Banasura was a great devotee of Lord Shiva & as a boon had asked him (Lord Shiva) & his entire family to guard the gates of the King’s city. He therefore was not at all scared by Lord Krishna's wrath. Finally a war ensued between the Hari (Lord Krishna & his followers) and the Hars (Lord Shiva & his followers). Rivers of blood flowed in this war & the city of Banasura was named Tezpur meaning City of Blood.


 Both sides were nearly wiped out & a final battle followed between Lord Shiva & Lord Krishna. Lord Brahma requested both of them to stop the war by putting himself between them. A discussion followed in which Lord Krishna made Lord Shiva see that Banasura was acting wrongly by imprisoning his grandson & had even disrespected Lord Shiva himself in asking him & his family to be the gate keepers of Tezpur. Lord Shiva agreed & Banasura was brought. Fearing his life at stake, he immediately agreed to the marriage of Aniruddha & Usha.



The Agnigarh Hill has been developed by the Assam State Government as a beautiful park adorned by a number of statues depicting mythological scenes such as the marriage between Usha & Aniruddha, the abduction of Aniruddha, etc. The stone sculptures on the Agnigarh Hill portray this entire picturesque story of love & war. The place is also well known for the view of the beautiful city of Tezpur as well as the flowing River Brahmaputra.



How to visit the place:

Getting to the Agnigarh Hill is not difficult as it is situated about 5 km away from the city of Tezpur.

The nearest airport from this place is in Saloni & the nearest railway station is situated at the Rangamati.

Both have auto rickshaw stands to reach the hill in few minutes.



By: Dipanjana Deb (deb28.dipanjana@gmail.com)

Location: JR92+3PR Agnigarh, Mahabhairab, Tezpur, Assam 784001, India

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