Kaziranga Orchid Park

Kaziranga National Park, Kaziranga Rhino, Kaziranga Tour, Kaziranga Hotels Resorts — **Welcome to the Kaziranga National Orchid Park ~ Kaziranga National Park ~ Assam ~ India**

Kaziranga National Park Assam welcomes you to the Largest Orchid Park of India at the Kaziranga National Orchid and Bio-Diversity Park.

The missing link in the bridge of serenity in Kaziranga National Park’s biodiversity has finally been fulfilled. With the introduction of the Kaziranga Orchid & Biodiversity park (at the land famous for being known to have the highest population of one horned Rhinoceros), Assam’s fauna landscape gets a divine new picture. After tea and petroleum, Assam is best known for the wide variety of orchids. They also act as a symbol of our natural heritage with ‘Kapou’ (Rhynchostylis Retusa), being Assam’s very own state flower. A dream Orchid and Biodiversity Park has finally arrived. Orchids are the greatest pride of the North-East India’s landscape and biodiversity. After tea and petroleum, we are known across the World for a great variety of orchids found in our forests, hills and mountains. Orchids are the symbol of our natural heritage and our pristine natural health.

Kaziranga Orchid Park, Kaziranga National Park, Assam Orchids, Assam Tourism — **Ethnic Food Stall at the Kaziranga Orchid Park ~ Kaziranga National Park ~ Assam ~ India**

The variety of orchids in the world is around 35000 with 1314 varieties found in India. Till date, there are 850 varieties of orchids found in North-East India with 402 found in Assam. The Kaziranga Orchid Park, comprises an area of 16 bigha of land houses 500 orchid species found in Northeast, 200 varieties of paddy, medicinal plants which are fast becoming extinct, various types of local flowers and fruits. It also has a photo gallery of 500 orchids, a green house, lakes with boating and angling facilities, small tree houses, among other attractions.

The Kaziranga National Orchid park houses around 600 varieties of wild orchids which have been collected from across the North-Eastern region. Some are found exclusively in the local region and many of them have not yet received a name. The orchids are placed in a wild state so that the ambiance provided is as close to natural as possible. They have been placed in a greenhouse along with some hybrid varieties.

The 2 aims of the Kaziranga National Orchid and Bio-Diversity Park are:

To preserve these wild varieties of orchids and educate the general public about the value of these orchids. This park will be a window to the fact that Assam and other north eastern states are hot-spots of rare biodiversity. Two species of orchids, namely ‘Dendrobium assamicum’ and ‘Hearia unmola’ are now extinct.

To provide as much knowledge to the general public as possible

This park is a proof that North-East India is a hub to very rare bio-diversities and it should be protected.

In addition, the park also houses a rice museum, a medicinal plant garden along with a product outlet centre, a garden for native flowers and fruits, a fishery for native fish species, a cactus species display room and an extensive forest that has native species of trees apart from a cultural centre. This forest also has various native varieties of bamboo and cane.

The Rice Museum at Kaziranga Orchid Park ~

The North East India is also home to a large number of different rice species, which are grown in different seasons. Most of them have disappeared from our daily recipes or our farmers have no access to their seeds. Some varieties can cope up with natural challenges like floods, etc. Most of these species are enriched with high nutritional values.

The team of experts at Kaziranga Orchid Park have worked tirelessly to collect those native specimens, collect their history and have carefully built a repository of more than 200 varieties of rice cultivated in this locality. Very soon the team at Kaziranga Orchid Park will encourage farmers to cultivate them in their fields.

The Fish Pond at Kaziranga Orchid Park ~

Fish is also a part of the National heritage of Assam. The native varieties are fast disappearing from our rivers, bills and ponds for various reasons. As an experiment the team at Kaziranga Orchid Park have collected and selected indigenous species of fish and preserved them in two ponds within the Kaziranga Orchid Park. Boating facility is also available in the Park.

Nature Walk ~

Everyone will cherish a walk across the splendid natural pathways within the Kaziranga National Orchid and Biodiversity Park. One can enjoy nature’s beauty in silence and immerse in deep thoughts here.

A Place for Folk-Cultural practices ~

The Kaziranga Orchid Park also houses a center to promote native cultures of Assam. These art forms are regularly shown to arriving tourists. Throughout the day the folk artists of Kaziranga Orchid Park play in a natural setting of their own. One might be playing the flute or another one playing with another musical instrument and traditional folk dancers dance to the tunes of these magical instruments. Tourists to the Kaziranga Orchid park also get to taste the ethnic food of North East India served on an elaborate platter.

New Additions at the Kaziranga Orchid Park include:

A cactus garden
A bamboo garden
A photo gallery of the Archaeologocal sites of North East India
Scientific amusements for children
A traditional handloom display and weaving center

To Plan your visit to the Kaziranga Orchid Park please tell us ~

Recommended Itinerary for your visit to Kaziranga Orchid Park ~

Day 1 ~ Guwahati – Kaziranga National Park

Arrive at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati. Upon arrival you will be received by our representative offering you a warm welcome. From the airport drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park. Along the way sight the various lush tea gardens of Assam. Arrive at Kaziranga National Park. At Kaziranga we will first visit the Kaziranga Orchid and Biodiversity Park in the late afternoon and later you will check into your Eco Camp at Kaziranga National Park. Evening Bonfire will be arranged on request.

Night Stay: Nature Hunt Eco Camp at Kaziranga National Park

Meals Included: NA

Day 2 ~ Kaziranga National Park – Guwahati

Early morning you will go for a thrilling Elephant Safari ride at Kaziranga National Park at the Bagori Safari range. After the Elephant Safari ride return to your Eco camp for breakfast. After breakfast go for a Jeep safari ride into the interiors of Kaziranga National Park at the Eastern range at Agoratoli. After the thrilling Jeep ride return to the Eco Camp to leave to Guwahati. Arrive at Guwahati and explore the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra here. Later check into a comfortable Hotel in Guwahati.

Night Stay: Hotel Vrinda Residency at Guwahati

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 ~ Kamakhya Temple – Guwahati Airport

Today after breakfast we proceed to visit the Holy Maa Kamakhya Temple situated atop the Nilachal Hills. Take a darshan of this holy temple shrine which is among the 51 Shakti Peethas in India. After the temple darshan we drop you off at the Guwahati airport for your onward destination. Tour Ends. Bid Adieu!

Night Stay: NA

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kaziranga National Park, Kaziranga Rhino, Kaziranga Tour, Kaziranga Hotels Resorts

Interiors of the Kaziranga National Orchid Park ~ Kaziranga National Park ~ Assam ~ India

Exploring Majuli Island and Kaziranga Orchid Park ~

In the month of February 2018, I decided to take my family (father and mother) to explore Majuli Island and the Kaziranga Orchid park in Assam. My mother had just retired from her services as a doctor in one of the Hospitals and she had ample time in her hands along with my father who had retired from his services already in 2014. The same was the work status of two of my other Uncles and so we decided to ask them to accompany us on our journey as well. One of my uncle my Mother’s elder brother (Nica as I refer him) stays at Jorhat in Assam and the other Uncle (my Moha) my mother’s younger sister’s husband stayed at Dibrugarh. As Majuli is nearest to Jorhat we decided to come to the my Nica’s home at first and then halt here for a night to continue to Majuli Island the next day. I had just finished setting up my Eco Camp in Majuli Island in November 2017 and with the many visits here. I was now very much accustomed to the places in Majuli along with it having made friends with many local people as well. We aligned our visit to coincide with the traditional Mishing tribe festival of Ali-Ai-Ligang that is held every year in the month of February.

On 13th February 2018, while we started on our journey from Guwahati to Jorhat, my Moha’s family would be starting their journey from Dibrugarh to Jorhat. The journey from Guwahati to Jorhat takes around 6 hours so we started from our home in Guwahati at around 8.30 AM. I continued to drive to make our first halt at Jagiroad where we stopped for tea at the Jain hotel here. The aroma of the famous hot puri sabji of Jain hotel tempted me to order a plate as well. While my father and mother ordered only tea and coffee.We started on our drive again to cross Nagaon, Amoni, Kaliabor to arrive at Kaziranga National Park. At Kaziranga National Park we took a short break at the view point near Bagori. We got to sight the pride of Assam – the Indian One Horned rhinoceros here. We left Kaziranga shortly to arrive at Numaligarh at around 1 PM. Here we stopped at the Numaligarh dhaba to have our lunch. The most famous eating point along the roads to Upper Assam from Guwahati, Numaligarh dhaba serves delicious Assamese cuisine food along with fresh fish curries which are cooked with fish freshly caught from the pond behind the Dhaba everyday. We ordered for 3 veg thalis and 2 plates of rohu fish curry. The food was very delicious and the bill amounted to INR 500 only. We soon started to drive to Jorhat again.

Kaziranga National Park, Kaziranga Orchid Park, Majuli Island, Kaziranga Safari — **Welcome to Kaziranga National Park on our visit to Majuli Island and Kaziranga Orchid Park**

We arrived at my Uncle’s home at Jorhat at around 3.30 PM near the Jorhat Medical College and Hospital. My aunt (Aapa) welcomed us to their home and she offered us tea while my parents got to talking. I went to my room upstairs where I returned back a few calls I had missed and I went out to explore the area nearby. The Jail road area in Jorhat had changed a lot from the years ago that I had visited the place. My uncle was one of the top notch doctors of the Jorhat hospital during his time and he had retired from his services as the Joint Director of health Services of Jorhat district. During my childhood days I often visited his home near the Jorhat civil hospital as it was called earlier before being upgraded to a Medical college and hospital recently. During the earlier days the roads used to be empty with not much traffic and business establishments. But the recent past the entire town of Jorhat has seen a rapid growth with various business establishments setting up shops in the town. From high rise apartment buildings to big huge malls today, Jorhat has grown to be one of the most important business destinations of Assam after Guwahati and Tinsukia. One can easily say that Jorhat has the most number of doctors in Assam as it is clearly visible from the numerous private hospitals, clinics and laboratories that are present along the Jail road itself. Many shops have come up along the roads as well and you find all your daily need items at these shops as well. Various restaurants too have come up across here offering various multi cuisine food to the residents of Jorhat.

I took a short walk along the Jail road reaching upto the Minerva Bhavan and then came back my uncle’s home. While returning I packed some chicken chops and onion pakodas for tea. My Moha and Mahi from Dibrugarh had also arrived to my uncle’s home as well. Their children couldn’t come as they had college and couldn’t take leave. All of us sat down for another session of black tea and evening snacks. In the meantime my mother’s younger brother (my mama) and his family who originally are from Guwahati but my Mama who was working as a top government official with the Assam Government had come for work at Jorhat. I easily knew it was him when I saw armed guards getting down from a Toyota Innova vehicle that parked near my uncle’s house. Half of my mother’s side of the family had gathered today in Jorhat and so it was obvious that it would be a time for lots of talk and photography sessions as well. I briefed everyone for our plan for tomorrow to Majuli Island and how we had to catch a morning ferry to cross the Brahmaputra river to reach Majuli Island. My friend in Majuli was informed of our visit and he had arranged for my family’s stay at Hotel srimanta Sankardev at garamur in Majuli and also as I would be taking my car only, my friend had arranged for a Mahindra Bolero vehicle to accommodate the other members of the family. My Apa had also asked two of her other relatives to join us to go to Majuli. My mama’s family left by around 8.30 PM and I had an early dinner and retired to bed while the other members had their dinner at around 10 PM.

I got up in the morning at 5.30 AM and went out for a short walk nearby my uncle’s house. I was back by 6.30 AM and by the time everyone was up. My aunt got busy with preparations for breakfast while everyone else took time to get ready. We left home at 9 AM and on the way picked up the other two ladies who would join us and headed to the Neemati Ghat. One private ferry had left and so we had reached on time to load my car on the government ferry that was scheduled to depart at 10 AM. In the meantime, the owner of the kitchen at my camp and my friend Mr. Deep Gam had also arrived to Neemati Ghat from nagaon and it was a pleasure to see him here. The people were all in a festive mood because of Ali Ai Ligang and also as it was valentine’s day – February 14. The ferry started at 10 AM and I had purchased the tickets for the individuals as well as my car. We slowly started to cross the waters of the mighty Brahmaputra river to head to the largest river island in the World – Majuli Island.

I admired the beauty of the view of the sky horizon from our ferry on the Brahmaputra river and we gradually sailed on its waters. We reached the other side of the river bank at Kamalabari Ghat at 11 AM. The people started to get down while myself and Deep waited to deboard our cars from the ferry. Mr. Baboi my friend Rupam’s cousin had arrived with the Mahindra Bolero car and i asked him to guide the members of my family to the other side and board his vehicle. By 11.15 we left Kamalabari ghat to drive to Garamur in Majuli. Mr. Rupam Regon was waiting for us at Garamur in front of Hotel Srimanta Sankardev. He guided us to the place and everybody were allocated their rooms. I would be staying at my camp here in Majuli – the La Lolat Eco Camp (a backpackers paradise in Majuli Island). Rupam and I went to get tea for everyone from a shop down at the Garamur market as the Hotel doesn’t have a kitchen facility. It was around 12.45 PM and we went downstairs to a basic restaurant to have our lunch. We ordered for veg thalis and rohu and hol fish curry. The food was simple yet very delicious especially the fish curries.

We finished our lunch and started to travel to Jengrai where the festival of Ali Ai Ligang was being celebrated on a grand stage. We visited the Garamur Satra first and then headed to my camp as my family members were keen on visiting the place. There were 6 guests staying at our camp tonight and four of them had just arrived. I spoke to our guests while my family took time to take a look around the La Lolat Eco Camp. We finally left for Jengrai at 2.15 PM. Jengrai is also a part of Majuli Island and is about an hours drive from garamur in majuli as the roads are not in a proper condition during our time of visit. The car tyres had to face a brunt of the numerous pot holes along the way. We arrived at Jengrai at 3 PM and hundreds of people has gathered at the Ali-Ai-Ligang celebration ground here. We parked our vehicles and walked towards the celebration grounds. We could see local youths performing the traditional Mishing dances. The Hon. Chief Minister of Assam had also visited the place earlier so we could see his convoy vehicles all leaving the place. Numerous makeshift shops were present here that displayed the beautiful handlooms of the mishing people as well. We explored the place for about an hour and then headed on our drive back to Garamur. On the way we stopped for tea and finally arrived back at Garamur by 6.30 PM. Everyone returned to their rooms while I visited some of my friends from Majuli here.

Rupam and Deep had taken a little longer to arrive from Jengrai and they arrived only at 7.15 PM. I ordered for the family’s dinner at the restaurant downstairs to be delivered to their rooms at 9 PM. Rupam took my mother and father to his house at Phutuki village as his wife had prepared the traditional Purang Apin and pork with black dal (a special food for the Ali-Ai-Ligang). They also brewed fresh rice wine called as ‘Sai mod’ and offered some of it to my father to drink. At 8.15 PM he dropped them back at the hotel and all of us bid goodbye to my family for the night to head to my camp. As all friends were meeting after a long time it called for a small celebration. We brought along with us a bottle of whisky and the caretakers of my camp had prepared chicken for us here. The guests at the camp were having rice beer that was served to them by my staff and we too joined them. As all of them were young backpackers from Bangalore and Chennai they had not properly planned their visit and they just were travelling around Assam. They informed me that they were travelling to Arunachal Pradesh but hadn’t applied for their ILPs. So I guided them with how to plan their journey further across North East India. The guests were served their dinner at 9.15 PM. We finished our discussions and after a while even we had our dinner and while my friends went back home I stayed in one of the tents at my camp.

The next morning I got up early and after bidding goodbye to our guests at the camp I headed to Hotel Srimanta Sankardev where I ordered for breakfast at the restaurant downstairs (Roti Sabji and Tea) and then went to meet my family. Today we were scheduled to explore the Satras of Majuli Island before we headed back to Jorhat by afternoon. The ladies had adorned themselves in the beautiful Mekhela Chadors as it is an Assamese custom to visit the Satras in this attire for the ladies. Also this provided the old ladies with an opportunity to show off their latest cloth and jewellery purchases (women as always :-)). We finished our breakfast and baboi was there with his Bolero to take us to the Sri Sri Auniati satra at Kamalabari in Majuli Island. We reached Auniati Satra at 9.30 AM. I guided everyone to buy their puja offerings and then to open their footwear outside the entrance of the Auniati Satra in Majuli Island. We first went to visit the Namghar area of the Auniati Satra. My family members offered their prayers and then we went inside the prayer room here where the Bhakats were offering prayers on behalf of their devotees. This is a beautifully decorated room with the Bhagavad Gita placed in the center. My family prayed here again and they offered their donations here again and they offered their donations here and we came out of the NAmghar area to view the huge trunk of the tulsi tree kept here near the Namghar of the Auniati Satra. It is believed that in the ancient times the Tulsi (Holy Basil) was a huge tree that has now reduced to the form of a shrub.

After admiring the story narrated to us by the Namghar Bhakat as to how this Tulsi tree trunk reached at the Auniati Satra we next went to explore the Auniati Satra museum. This museum has the relics of the various ancient artefacts from the Ahom kingdom and the ancient times of Assam as well. There were bell metal cups, plates and saucers used by the Ahom kings on display as well as small chains and other artefacts like chess boards made with ivory. Ancient robes and swords used by the Ahom kings and the brave Ahom General Lachit Borphukan. We admired this piece of ancient history of Assam at the Auniati Satra museum and then we left the place to head to the Samaguri Satra in Majuli Island. Renowned across the world for preserving the traditional art of mask making under the able guidance of its Satradhikar Dr. Hemchandra Goswami. We arrived at the Samaguri Satra at 10.30 AM. I took everyone inside the Satra premises where Dr. Hemchandra Goswami was sitting along with his students who were learning the art of mask making at the Samaguri Satra. Dr. Hemchandra Goswami approached us with a smile and spoke to my family. He guided us with the process of mask making as to how the frame is created using bamboo and then wrap up with a cloth and coated with a special mud to give shape and structure to the mask. Then how the masks area painted with organic colors derived from barks of tree and turmeric, etc. The final masks were all displayed at a hall in the Samaguri Satra. We went inside the hall where few foreign visitors were sitting and enjoying the demonstration of these traditional masks. We too sat there and watched in awe how these masks are used in traditional plays called Bhaonas.

We thanked everyone at the Samaguri Satra and after paying a small donation towards keeping this art form alive. We started to drive back to Garamur. We ordered for the lunch for the family here while my dad and I left a little early to board our car on the ferry at the Kamalabari Ghat. I thanked Rupam for all his help and bid goodbye to my friends in Majuli Island to head to the Kamalabari Ghat. We reached at 12.45 PM and I loaded my vehicle on the ferry. Then we went to a small restaurant to have our lunch. A plain food of rice thali and fish fry we served to us. My dad and I enjoyed the food and then waited for the other members of the family to arrive at the ghat. Everyone arrived at 1.20 PM and we boarded the ferry. I thanked Baboi for his help during these days and went to purchase our tickets for the ferry. The ferry started at 1.45 PM and as it is an upstream ride against the waters and it would take us an hour and forty five minutes to reach back to Neemati ghat. We reached back at around 3.15 PM to Neemati ghat where my Nica’s car was waiting to take us back to Jorhat. We reached back home at around 4.45 PM.

The next day we were scheduled to return back to Guwahati from Jorhat and along the way we were to make a halt at the Kaziranga Orchid Park. My aunt prepared breakfast for us and at around 9 AM we left Jorhat to go to Kaziranga National Park. We crossed Dergaon, Numaligarh and Bokakhat to arrive at Kohora in Kaziranga National Park. The Kaziranga Orchid Park is located slightly ahead of the Kohora main market and safari entry point at the Kohora range of Kaziranga National Park. We had to take a left diversion as we were coming from Jorhat and after about 200 meters we reached the parking area of the Kaziranga Orchid Park. I parked take car here and then we went to the ticket counter of the Kaziranga Orchid Park where we purchased our entry tickets. Indian adults are charged INR 100 per head as the entry fees while foreign nationals are charged at INR 500 per head as entry fees. Special concession is given to young children, school children and college students who come in groups. We purchased our tickets and went in to explore the Kaziranga Orchid Park.

On entry we could see the various blooming orchid species that are planted alongside the pathway at the Kaziranga Orchid Park. The blooming orchids looked amazingly beautiful and we clicked our pictures here. Next we proceeded to visit the greenhouse room of the Kaziranga Orchid Park where we were greeted on arrival by a young lady who would guide us along the greenhouse detailing us about the various species of orchids present here. The orchid plants in the premises of the green room were kept well aligned and arranged. There is a water pool located at the center of the green house and the orchids have been kept in flower tubs alongside. We took a walk around the place and saw various species of orchids. Next on the left there is an area that has on display the various indigenous handicrafts and handlooms of Assam. Bamboo is an integral part of the work activities of the villages of Assam and people use bamboo to make exquisite handicrafts and alos build homes as well especially the Mishing community of Assam who in addition to inhabiting Majuli island are also staying in parts of Kaziranga as well. This place depicts the various bamboo handicrafts like fishing tools, baskets, fish traps and even musical instruments made with bamboo and wood as well. There are articulate displays of various handlooms like mekhela chadors weaved on traditional looms with hand. There are also traditional looms present here and to display to the visitors the working of these looms few ladies are seated on the loom who display the art of weaving on a traditional loom. It was a very nice experience to witness this traditional weaving of the people of Assam.

Next up there is another small room area that has on display well framed pictures of various historical monuments of Assam and North East India.We took a walk around the room here at the Kaziranga Orchid Park admiring the pictures of the various ancient temples and monuments built during the regime of the Ahom kings and also the other kingdoms of Nagaland and Manipur. Next up we visited another display room that has on display various pictures of the different orchid species of North East India. Around 800 species of orchids are found across the North Eastern region of the country and manu of these species are found in the greenhouse of the Kaziranga Orchid Park and the pictures can be seen here in the display room. An able guide who is physically challenged and moves around on a wheelchair guides visitors across this room. Next there is a rice museum behind this gallery. Various kinds of rice varieties indigenous to Assam of the likes of Bora Sawl, Joha Sawl, Aijong Sawl, etc. are kept here along with the rice grains. A local person guides visitors with the different varieties of rice present here as well.

Then there is an open souvenir area where visitors can purchase various items like tea, pickles, herbal medicines, etc. There are two girls here who guide you well with the purchase of items here. Next there is an open stage area where visitors can catch a glimpse of the traditional music and dances of Assam. We took our seats at the open stage area here and the boys and girls all dressed in their traditional attire were getting ready to put up a dance performance for the visitors at the Kaziranga Orchid Park. at first we watched the performance of the bamboo dance where four boys were holding the bamboo sticks and swaying them in rhythmic movements while two girls were jumping around the bamboo mesh to the tunes of playing drums. It was a really interesting experience to watch this dance form in person.

Next there was a Bihu dance performance where the boys were singing a beautiful bihu song along with the beat of the traditional drums and flute while the girls danced graciously. Even the visitors from the audience danced to the rhythmic tunes of the bihu song. We all enjoyed and thanked the group after this performance at the Kaziranga Orchid Park. Next we went to visit the cactus garden at the Kaziranga Orchid Park that has various species of cactus plants on display. One cactus plant was almost about 6 feet tall. We wrapped our visit at the Kaziranga Orchid Park after this and went to have tea at a shop inside the premises here. There is also a huge pond area at Kaziranga Orchid Park with boating facilities as well as a bamboo garden. We decided to skip our visit as we had a long drive to Guwahati ahead of us. Outside the entrance these is also a traditional ethnic restaurant that serves traditional Assamese food to its visitors at Kaziranga Orchid Park. As we were not yet hungry yet we decided to skip our visit here and instead we went on to continue our journey to Guwahati from Kaziranga National Park thereby ending our memorable short tour of Jorhat, Majuli Island and Kaziranga Orchid Park.