The Tea Festival of Assam

Have you ever found any replacement for tea? Well, then there is no beverage that is as refreshing as tea. For some people, drinking tea more is than social status and symbol of their own identity while for some, it is just a companion in lonely times.

The topic which we are going to cover is regarding – “Tea Festivals.” Tea festivals are organized across the globe to celebrate the value of this beverage in human life. There are many countries where tea festival is being celebrated.

Want to know some of the festivals? Check it out right here

BOSEONG GREEN TEA FESTIVAL is being held at KOREA Every year, during 3^rd week of May, at Korean Tea and Sori Cultural Park in Boseong-gun of Jeollanam-do Province. It has been celebrated from over four decades now and is specially held for its green tea varieties.

TEA WORLD FESTIVAL, is being held in Japan in the 1^st week of June or end of May. In this festival different variety of teas from the Asian countries India, China, Japan and Korea is being illustrated. This is high tourist attraction festival.

ASSAM TEA FESTIVAL, is the largest of all being held in India. You will find more of this below.

 Why tea festival?

Let us find out that why is tea festival celebrated in India. As we know that tea is present in India since 750 BC and India has started producing it in the eighteenth century itself. India is one of the largest producers of Tea in the world, and produces some of the best and premium teas in the world.

India stands among the top 5 per-capita tea consumers. Our tea from Assam & Darjeeling is world famous for its quality and taste. Even Nilgiri and Sikkim produce some notable tea and teas are grown in many other regions as well. Darjeeling has diversified into green, oolong, and white teas more than any other region of India. In 2015-16 India saw a record tea production of 1,233 million kg with exports crossing 230 million kg.

We can note that India has long connection with tea and hence we have all the reasons to celebrate this fantastic tea festival.

Tea festival of Assam

Assam is well known across the world for its black tea production. Tea is now a “Brand Identity” for Assam with a production of 400 million kg per annum, which accounts to 50% of the total tea production of India. Dibrugarh district in Assam is the main tea producing region in the area and has the highest exports in India. This district is now called as the “Tea City of India.”

The state of Assam also has a tea research center known as “The Tocklai Tea Research center” and is located on the banks of the river Tocklai in Jorhat. Here, research work on new and existing varieties of tea is been carried out. The tea festival is been celebrated every at Jorhat only.

A Brief Introduction

Tea festival is one of the most favourite festivals in Assam and is celebrated in various parts of the state. This festival is all about tea, music and joviality. The Tea Festival in Jorhat brings about a world of festivity with a warm and traditional cordial reception. One can visit this place as a pleasure cum business trip.

There are important conferences held to tackle with the current issues of the tea industry. These conferences provide a unique opportunity to gain pertinent information on all facets of the Indian Tea Industry. People who are involved with producing, selling, distributing, manufacturing or preparing can benefit from this event and enhance their knowledge and understanding of tea. Delegates from all over the world come to attend this festival.

Apart from this, you can taste various varieties of tea under one roof. There are many activities such Ethnic fairs, food fests, visit to tea heritage sites, adventure sports and much more, which can enjoyed during the festival.

Where is it celebrated?

The Tea Festival is held in the northeastern state of Assam in India. The main event is held in the district of Jorhat as this place lies in the heart of the tea industry and is known for its extensive tea gardens.

How is it celebrated?

This famous tea festival in the eastern Assam derives its name from the haughty “Patkai range” and the teasing “Dehing River.” This festival is a fusion of tea, music and enjoyment.

There are many activities which can be done during the tea festival.

Fairs and Heritage Tours

One can visit the ethnic fairs and go for tea heritage tours. Assam has more than 800 tea estates which can be visited during the tea festival.  Some of the larger tea-estates have heritage bungalows where one can stay according to their convenience. It is a truly revitalizing experience to live in these old estates which are more than a hundred years old.

Golfing

If you are a “Golfer” then this festival is perfect for you. Assam offers some world class golf courses and is actually world renowned for the same. It all started in 1829 when India became the first country outside Great Britain to have a golf course. There are some 21 golf courses in Assam, out of which 15 are south of River Brahmaputra, all with a class and style which every golfer around the world loves to have.

Most of these golf clubs are run by the tea estates and are astride national highway 37 between Guwahati and Digboi. Numerous tea gardens of Assam have 9 and 18 hole golf courses along with airstrips attached to them. You can also play & enjoy some golfing in the ‘Jorhat Gymkhana’, which is the world’s third oldest golf-club that is still in use.

Adventure Sports

Another activity which is for the adventure seekers is “adventures sports.”

Mountaineering, Trekking, Mountain Biking, Para-Sailing and what not!!!

You say the name and the adventure sport is there for you. The hills in Assam, particularly the North Cachar Hills and Karbi Hills are ready to receive tourists for Trekking and Mountaineering. The hilly terrain offers very good challenge to Mountain Bikers. A perfect season for the one who loves to have adventure and want to get close to nature.

Wildlife Tour

If you are more of a Wild life enthusiast, then you can visit the Assam wildlife. Assam is home to several wildlife sanctuaries and national parks that are the breeding ground for some of the rarest global species. The many wildlife sanctuaries in Assam provide shelter to large number of wildlife right from the Golden Langur to the horned rhinoceros.

Cultural and Historical tour

A perfect activity spot for the history lovers. You can visit the World War II cemeteries and the famous Stilwell Road (once the passage to the golden land of Myanmar) during this tea festival.

Visit biggest tea auction center

If you are at the tea festival of Assam then visit to the tea auction center in Guwahati is a must. The Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) is one of the busiest tea trading facilities in the world. It is located in Guwahati and its primary commodity under the hammer is Assam tea. It was established in 1970. It has seen the largest volume of CTC tea auction in the world.

Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) in Guwahati is the venue for the festival. This Tea Festival attracts a lot of tourists from far and wide and hence plays a significant role the economy of Assam.

Assam Tea Festival Dates

The Tea Festival in Jorhat is celebrated every year in the winter season, somewhere around november and january with great enjoyment, fun and entertainment. The tea festival and the fair tours are organized by the “Assam Tourism.”

A perfect time to experience the Asaam culture & hospitality

The culture of Assam is proudly sovereign.  When you travel Assam, you will see men in a red and white scarf (called as the gamosa) and women in “mekhola sador” (a traditional dress for women). These visibilities clearly indicate on how the Assam people have maintained their culture well.

The people of Assam are known for their hard working nature and their simplicity but very less are aware of their loving and hospitable nature. Although their dialects, lifestyle and traditions vary, there is a sense of togetherness that binds them. This can be best known during this tea festival. So, don’t miss the opportunity of loving and being loved by some of the best people in the world.

Travel & Accommodation to Tea Festival of Assam

Assam is well linked to the rest of the country by air, rail and road.

By Air

You can easily reach Assam by air. The main airport in Assam is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, the largest city of Assam. The airport links to major cities in India with daily flights. Other airports in Assam are at Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur and Silchar.

By Rail

The North Eastern Railway zone of the Indian Railways connects the largest city of Assam, Guwahati and the rest of the country together. Guwahati is the railway headquarters of the northeast region. Travelers can reach conveniently to Assam via rail as it is well connected to all major cities of India.

By Road

Assam has a well connected network of national highways and other roads to different cities and towns in and around the state. The State Transport and other private operators run daily bus services for commuters. Taxis and jeeps can also be hired for commuting within the state. From Guwahati, Jorhat is a seven-hour bus ride. Buses leave early mornings and at nights.

Staying in Jorhat

Since, Johrat is tourist destination; there are many accommodations for the tourists arriving from all over the world. There are some luxurious hotels and home stays too. You can experience both luxury and the local culture of Assam.