Awesome Assam

By S. Kaur Chowdhury

The book captures the essence of the protagonist’s journey as a young bride, beginning with a breathtaking view of the Brahmaputra River, evoking mystery and admiration that held her spell bound. It delves into  Assam’s rich culture, often referred to as "the melting pot" of diverse communities making it truly an  "Awesome Assam.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Mar 16, 2024

Book preview

Chapter 1

Kamakhya Mandir

Jyoti and Anil, a newly married couple are climbing stairs to approach the main 'Gate' of 'Kamakhya Mandir'.

This was Jyoti's second visit to the shrine. First was when she got married in the temple itself. Her mother-in-law was escorting the couple, and a congregation of a few family members followed them. And marriage was solemonised as per Hindu rites.

Her mother-in-law had graced her 'Bowari' with a typical Assamese jewellery crafted with precious gem stones inserted into it . Today she felt on ninth cloud wearing the same wedding set visiting the temple. The couple had reached the 'Gate' and were just about to join the 'Q' waiting for 'Darshan'. Jyoti, lost in nostalgia, was meddling with her jewellery. A contented wife, she was looking frequently towards Anil with a smile. Newly married, wearing gems, husband present by her side, she felt out of the world that was enough to intoxicate her senses. Anil looked at her in admiration. But was shocked to find that one of her earrings was not in place. She too, got upset when found it was missing. Both were distressed. She checked her dress sari pallu but in vain. It was concluded that it was lost.

The couple was turning insane. They couldn't speculate where it could have dropped. Moreover they were undecided now whether to go ahead for 'Darshan' or back in search of the jewellery.

Many people had gathered around.

Going back was not considered auspicious. The couple was bewildered. Some wisemen from the crowd suggested them to go back to search and on some other day come to the temple for 'Darshan'.

While they made a retreat, Jyoti remembered their ascending taxi journey. At the top of the hill there was an intense curve, a hairpin bend . That was followed by an extreme downward slope. She remembered it had imbalanced her badly causing her 'earring' twisted the hook to intertwine with Anil's wrist watch. When taxi halted, the sound of screech was so harsh she forgot about anything else, leave aside jewellery.

They bowed down on the steps (pathway to temple) and prayed, keep our faith alive Maa.

They knew that getting back the lost item would be a sheer miracle.

Jyoti noticed Anil's eyes were down with tears. Depressed, they returned.

Anil lay awake whole night. Next morning he was seen at the taxi stand again on the foothills of 'Neelanchal ' 'Parbat'.

He glanced far upwards where 'Maa' dwells to bless her devotees and grace them with everything they prayed with pure heart.

Anil with his eyes closed, immersed with silent prayer. Omnipresent Maa was moved by his tears. It was not a matter of 'jewel piece', but an emotion, dignity and reverence. A new bride is recognised by the jewellery and dress she wears. This impacts opinion about her.

A shopkeeper watched Anil wiping his tears. He had by now, known of the 'episode' of the lost earring. Also he had seen Anil making enquiries. So hesitantly approached and whispered to him, "I saw a person near the taxi stand who sighted the lost item and picked it up.

Anil was taken aback. It was no less a miracle for him . The shopkeeper knew the whereabouts of the person in question." So immediately they headed towards his house.

But they were astound to the fact that the 'Man' was speech impaired. It was difficult to understand his ambiguous gestures. But he was pointing upwards, that means they were to go again to the temple. Whole exercise was repeated again, from taxi ride to climbing stairs enroute to the temple. There stands a market, selling puja related items. And a goldsmith shop located amidst them.

But the goldsmith was reluctant to return the earring that he had purchased from this dumb fellow who was present with them at the time. After much persuasion the goldsmith agreed to sell it to Anil on condition if he paid double the amount, he had purchased for.

And by the grace of Maa the deal could be settled. Anil got back the Earring with a sigh of relief. He thanked many times to Maa and returned home with a resolution (promise) to come back next day with Jyoti for a 'Darshan', very rare & deity.

Chapter 2

Kumari Maa

Meenu, a little girl of four and a half years, stood under the tamarind tree, her wonderland. The huge tree, perhaps 70-80 years old or maybe even more, grew within the boundary wall of Meenu's compound. She, a fair and plump girl, wore a neat pink frock with frills on its fringes and sported red ribbons in her short 'pigtails'. She looked fabulous, perhaps the cutest child in this colony.

Raju dada, she screamed while glaring up at the tree where the neighbouring school boys had focused all their attention to aim and reach the sweet-sour fruit hanging all over the tree in abundance. They had taken hold of robust branches and tied small cloth bags (Mona) against their waists to fill them with as much tamarind.

She knew them all, some of them by name, who would storm to push the iron gate open and enter this premises. They were swayed and tempted by the look of bountiful and mouth-watering ripe tamarind.

There was no one to stop them except this little girl. Though an elderly, trustworthy maid (Nanny)