Chaygaon

Chaygaon is a town in the Kamrup district of Assam, India; situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra River. It is 38 km from the major town of Guwahati. The town is known for "Maa Chandika Devalaya", a Shakta pitha, where thousands of devotees visit during Durga Puja. The Historical "Mer Ghar" of Chand Sadagar is situated in Champak Nagar, Chaygaon.^[1][2]

Chaygaon Chhaygaon, Champaknagar
Town
Chaygaon Location in Assam, India Show map of Assam Chaygaon Chaygaon (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 26°02′52″N 91°23′13″E
Country	India
State	Assam
Region	Western Assam
District	Kamrup
Elevation	46 m (151 ft)
Languages
• Official	Assamese,
• Local	Kamrupi Assamese
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	781124
Vehicle registration	AS
Website	kamrup.nic.in

Etymology

The word Chaygaon is derived from two Kamrupi Assamese words soy (ছয়) (six) and gaon (গাঁও) (village) meaning six villages. Anglicised as Chaygaon based on the IAST values of the Eastern Nagari script.

Culture

The people from different religions are residing here, with distinct Kamrupi culture. The devotee throng here to pay their homage to the ancient temple of 'Chandika'. The Mer Ghar of Chand Sadagar, the merchant of the ancient times, evidences the story of Behula and Lakhinder, his daughter in law and son.

History

The town was part of Kamapitha division of Ancient Kamrup. It was within capital region of ancient Kamrup kingdom. In pre-modern period it remained part of eastern Kamrup region. In nineteenth century, it became part of newly formed administrative undivided Kamrup district. In 2003, after bifurcation of old district, it is included in Kamrup rural district.

Places of interest

Chand Sadagar's Mer Ghar

It is a site with which a mythological story is attached to a merchant named Chanda Sadagar and his son Lakhindar and his daughter-in-law Beula.

The legend says that Chanda Sadagar, who was a devotee of Lord Siva, once got a curse from 'Nag Devata' (the God of Snake) that he would have no descendants any further as his only son would be killed on the latter's wedding night. To prevent this, Lakhindar and his bride was confined in the "Mer Ghar" (a specially built sealed house for the newly wed couple to prevent entry of snakes ).

However, despite every effort, Lakhindar was bitten to death by 'Nag Devata' . It was Beula 's relentless offerings and prayers that saved her husband's life later on. Ruins of 'Merghar' and replica of Siva idols are still found around this site.

Education

Chhaygaon College

The Chhaygaon College established in the year 1974 is the most important educational institution in the greater Chaygaon. The college is located at an easily accessible site beside the National Highway number 37 at a distance of about 40 km west of Gauhati University and about 25 km from the Gauhati International Airport. It is a co-educational Institution providing instructions up to Three-Year Degree level in Arts and Commerce faculties and affiliated to Gauhati University.

Transport

Chaygaon is at National Highway 17; is connected to nearby cities and towns with buses and other modes of transportation. It has a Railway station at Dhobargaon and LGB International Airport is situated at a distance of 25 km.

See also

• Boko, Kamrup
• Bijay Karmakar