Famous for its culture, mosques, tombs, gardens and most importantly - its tea plantations, Jorhat is a culturally and commercially important city in the state of Assam. The headquarters of Jorhat district, this city is also known as the tea capital of India. It is located at a distance of about 305 Km from Guwahati and around 138 Km from Dibrugarh.
You can easily travel to Jorhat via rail, road or air transport. Rowraih Airport (Code: JRH) is situated 7 km away from the main city and is well-connected to prominent cities. Regular bus services of different types are also available. Alternatively, you can also hire a taxi from nearby cities like Guwahati and Imphal. You can also choose to travel by train. Jorhat has two railway station located at a distance of 18 km and 2 km respectively.
Summers in Jorhat are hot and humid with temperatures ranging between 15 to 28 degrees Celcius. Avoid visiting Jorhat during this time. From July onwards, monsoon season sets in. Incessant rainfall is observed till September. The best time to visit Jorhat is the winter season in which the temperature is not too low. The weather is pleasantly cool to explore the city.
Spread across a lush green landscape dotted with imperial bungalows that exude colonial charm, Jorhat, the second-largest city of Assam, is an eclectic mix of cultures, diverse tribal communities, vibrant festivals and bustling markets. A major hub for exquisite Assamese jewellery, Jorhat has several renowned craftsmen who have been practicing their art for generations. The city is popular for pure gold jewellery made in Ahom (Assamese) style, and is a little dull in its shine. The gold jewellery is filled with lac, in which gemstones are embedded with the help of gold leaf.
Not just jewellery, Jorhat has been one of oldest and the most important centres of commerce and trade in Assam. It was the capital of the powerful Ahom dynasty (1228-1826). Jorhat was built around two major markets, the Chowkihat and Macharhat, which came up on the banks of the pristine Bhogdoi river that flows through the city. In fact, 'jor' or 'jora', in Assamese means two and 'haat' means a market.
Jorhat also boasts some of the most spectacular tea gardens in the state that are sprawled across vast expanses. With the distinctive aroma of tea in the air, one can stroll through breathtaking lush greenery and enjoy the serenity of the beautiful gardens.