Sualkuchi

About Sualkuchi

Sualkuchi is one of the largest villages in Assam as well as in Asia. It is famous for its silk weaving industry in all over the world. The village produces maximum amount of silk clothes in Assam contributing a handsome revenue to the state's economy.

Location

Sualkuchi stands 30 km away from Guwahati, the gateway of the North-East part of India. This village is around 4 km in length and 3 km in width. Sualkuchi is famous for its household silk industry.

Geographical description:

Temperature (deg c):
Summer- Max35 Min 22
Winter- Max26 Min10

Rainfall:180 c.ms (from May to September)

Best Season to Visit:October to March

Population

According to the Census Report 2001, total population of this village is 36, 000. It is significant that the village only consists of people who belong to the Hindu community.

Main Attractions:

Sankaradeva's Neo-Vaisnavism:
95% of the village people belong to the Neo-Vaisnsvite tradition introduced by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva, which makes Sualkuchi famous .They follow the doctrine of 'Eka Sarana Nam Dharma' propounded by Sankaradeva (1449-1568 A.D). The village has its own prayer hall known as 34 Satras (traditional Assamese prayer hall), which was mainly propounded by Sankaradeva.
Silk Factory:
Silk weaving plays the main role in this village for which this is famous in all over the world. Dating back to the 11th century, silk weaving of Sualkuchi village is one of the largest and oldest industries in Assam. Not only the villagers but also weavers from different parts of Assam have been engaged in this industry thus, making it the only way of their earning. But poor marketing and insufficient market linkage outside the state ails the industry from growing and earning more revenue.

Due to emergence of other innovative designs to cope up with the latest market demand has posed a threat to this indigenous industry. The impact of globalization has been seen in the silk industry of the state

Main Festival

Celebration of the birth anniversary of Sankaradeva in Sualkuchi is remarkable. All the people belonging to Vaisnavite religion participate in this much-cherished ceremony. Those people belonging to this village but have settled outside either in other cities in India or in a foreign country do come back and participate in this auspicious occasion. This is a four daylong celebration initiated by Mahapurushia Dharmaloshani Sabha, Sualkuchi. During these days, each cultural aspect highlights numerous performing arts initiated by Sankaradeva.

Some other festivals celebrated in the village are Durga Puja, Holi and Bihu (Assamese folk festival).

How to Reach the Village

Sualkuchi is easily connected by air, road or rail and river. Being very close to Guwahati, the capital of Assam, Sualkuchi provides all the facilities of public transportation facilities and taxi service. Guwahati Lokapriya Gopinath Bodoloi International Airport is only 25 km away from the village. Moreover, Guwahati main railway station is 30 km away from the village. As the village is standing on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra and the ferry service from some part of the state is very good, the village is also accessible by this way too.

Staying near the Village

In the village, there are two guest houses, which is very convenient with all modern facilities and different foods. As Guwahati is only few kilometers away from the village, one can visit the village while staying in Guwahati.