Goalpara District

Goalpara District is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India. It was created in the year 1983 with two Sub-divisions, Goalpara (Sadar) sub-division and North Salmara (Civil) Sub-division. In 1989, Goalpara Sadar Sub-division was upgraded into a district and North Salmara Sub-division was merged with newly created Bongaigaon District. Therefore, present Goalpara District consists of only one Sub-division. The district headquarters are located at Goalpara. Goalpara district occupies an area of 1,824 square kilometers. There are four Assam Legislative Assembly constituencies in this district: Dudhnoi, Goalpara East, Goalpara West, and Jaleswar. Dudhnoi is designated for scheduled tribes. Dudhnoi is in the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency, whilst the other three are in the Dhuri Lok Sabha constituency.

Goalpara District was a princely state ruled by the Rajbongsi Kings. The Britishers originally formed the district in 1876. On 1 July 1983, two districts were split from Goalpara viz Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Presently the district has been divided into Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, and Goalpara. Koch Rajbongshi mostly inhabits it. The widely spoken language is Goalpariya language. This is the main language that is spoken the common masses. On 1 July 1983, two districts were split from Goalpara viz Dhubri and Kokrajhar.

According to the Population Census Report in the year 2011, Goalpara District had population of 1,008,959 of which male and female were 514,162 and 494,797 respectively. The population of the Goalpara District constituted 3.24 percent of total population of Assam. The population density of Goalpara district for 2011 is 553 people per sq. km. The average literacy rate of Goalpara in 2011 was 68.67 percent. The male and female literacy rates were 72.67 percent and 64.53 percent respectively. The total literates in Goalpara District were 579,038 of which male and female were 311,986 and 267,052 respectively.

Crafts of Goalpara have earned a name in Sitalpati industry. Sitalpati is a kind of mat which provides relief during summers. It is perhaps the most notable and popular product in Assam and as well as in the neighbouring states of Tripura and West Bengal. Goalpara is the district headquarters of West Assam formed in the year 1893. It is located in the midst of Brahamaputra River in the North and Meghalaya in the South. The village has almost 180 families residing here. They are mostly engaged in the production of the age-old Sitalpati craft.

Sitalpati Craft of Goalpara : Goalpara is known for its age-old Sitalpati industry. The word "Sitalpati" means cold mat. The raw materials required for this traditional craftwork is chiefly procured from natural grass. The barks of the plants are used for knitting the mats. The bare hands do the knitting process. In other parts of lower Assam, the mats are finely knitted and beautifully crafted with the use of fine barks of the bamboo. These are delicately arranged and then designed knitting with hands. If the Sitalpati mat is glossy, smooth and has fine texture than it is of good quality. According to the craftsmen, the best kind of Sitalpati is so smooth that even a snake cannot glide over it. This particular quality of mat is ideal for the warm and humid climate. These mats render a feeling of coolness to the person sitting or sleeping on it.

The Sitalpati work has been passed down through generations. The Nadi and Dey communities of Dubapara and Paharsing para mainly practice this ancient craftwork. Almost all the residents of the village are engaged in making Sitalpati. They produce different designs of mats, tablemats, school bags, partitions, etc. Each family here earns a handsome amount by making Sitalpatis.

Demand of Crafts of Goalpara : Owing to the features of Sitalpati, its demand has escalated. People residing in large towns and metropolitan cities are looking for such mats. Thus, the Government of Assam is trying to promote the Sitalpati Craft through out India by featuring this artwork in different national and international fairs in India.

Tourism in Goalpara District is dominated by the archaeological sites. The archaeologists and the tourists often attract it. Goalpara District is the district headquarters of West Assam formed in the year 1893. It is located in the midst of Brahamaputra River in the North and Meghalaya in the South. The village has almost 180 families residing here. They are mostly engaged in the production of the age-old Sitalpati craft.

Bihu Dance : Bihu Dance is one of the major festivals of this district. The dance is performed irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Bihu is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. Rangali Bihu, the spring festival is celebrated during mid April. It is a festival of colour, creativity and joy. It marks the beginning of the agricultural season. The mood of spring is celebrated with bihu dance with the Bihu geet one of the unique art forms of India, with the adjunct of lusty wild beats of the drum along with indigenous instruments like buffalo horn. The young boys and girls clad in golden Muga silk dance to the tune of Bihu songs woven around the themes of love and passion. It is a rare experience for people living in other parts of the globe.

Dadan Hillock : Dadan hill has a temple of Lord Shiva at its peak, which was set up by Dadan, one of the Generals of King Bana of Sonitpur Now (Sonitpur District). A number of mythological stories are related to this Dadan hill cradled on the riverbank of Dariduri. It is widely believed that this General at the foothill of Dadan killed a wild elephant. The General was a disciple of Lord Shiva and he killed the elephant as it used to disturb him while meditating. However, that elephant can now be viewed in the form of a stone, lying on the riverbank of Dariduri. Many people, especially from the Rabha Tribe community flock to this spot to worship Lord Shiva particularly in the month of February. Beside the religious importance, the whole area surrounding the Dadan Hillock is dotted with rivers, hills and terrains offering visual delight.

Surya Pahar : Surya Pahar is located about 12 km southeast of Goalpara town in this district and about 136 km northwest of Guwahati, is a significant but relatively unknown archaeological site in Assam. The site is a hilly terrain where several rock-cut Lord Shiva lingas and the idols of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain are scattered in an area of about one kilometers. The site is centred on the hills (Pahar) of Lord Surya, which is profusely filled up with Shiva Lingas (Lingam). There is a belief among the local people is that there are 99999 Shiva Lingas were engraved here by Ved Vyasa in order to build up a second Kashi (where there were 1,00000 Shiva Lingas). From that time, it was one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in the region. There is no historical evidence exactly how many Lingams once dotted in these hills, but still there are hundreds of them, from tiny to large in size, scattered everywhere at the foot of the hill and covering the extensive area after centuries of neglect and pilferage. The exact figure of the Lingas in the Surya Pahar hill is yet to be counted scientifically. In this site there are many idols of Goddess Durga , Lord Ganesha, Lord Surya, Lord Chandra and Gautama Buddha are found here.

Hulukunda Pahar : It is a beautiful Hill in Goalpara town. The British period Sub Divisional Officer`s (SDO) office is existed in the hill. From this point, entire town can be view especially the view of Brahmaputra River and Naranaryan Setu is beautiful.

Pir Majhar : The "Majhar" (tomb) of Hazarat Sayed Abul Kasem Kharasani, situated at the heart of Goalpara District. It is a place much revered by the people of all religious faiths. The Muslim graveyard grew around the "Majhar". It is the practice of both Muslims and Hindus of Goalpara to offer money and candle, pray for fulfilment of wish, and search for blessing from the Pir Saheb. Every year the "Uros-Mubarak", the death anniversary of the Pir is observed at the "Majhar-Sarif" on the 21st day of lunar calendar month of "Safar".

Arjhara Chibinang : It is a place of great natural beauty and suitable for short tours and picnics. Although this place is situated in Meghalaya but it is within the reach of Assam.

Kumri Beel : Kumri Beel is a natural lake is located 11 km North-West of Goalpara town, 1 km from Naranaryan Setu & 5 km North-East of Paglatek Mandir. Kumri Beel is having enough space for development of tourist spots, Gardens, Boating and for developing bird sanctuary facilities. It is one of the most attractive and convenient places for development of tourism. It is easily accessible to travellers across the Naranaryan Setu.

Sitalpati Craft : Goalpara is known for its age-old Sitalpati industry. The word "Sitalpati" means cold mat. The raw materials required for this traditional craftwork is chiefly procured from natural grass. The barks of the plants are used for knitting the mats. Bare hands do the knitting process. In other parts of lower Assam, the mats are finely knitted and beautifully crafted with the use of fine barks of the bamboo. These are delicately arranged and then clearly designed by knitting with hands.

The Sitalpati work has been passed down through generations. The Nadi and Dey communities of Dubapara and Paharsing para mainly practice this ancient craftwork. Almost all the residents of the village are engaged in making Sitalpati. They produce different designs of mats, tablemats, school bags, partitions, etc. Each family here earn a handsome amount by making Sitalpatis.