Assam’s Brahmaputra Carnival offers glamping, city tours, and more

The hunt for a festival with a pan-region flavour resulted in the 90-day Brahmaputra Carnival that is scheduled to conclude on March 15..

One of India’s longest carnivals has virtually turned the sandy banks of the Brahmaputra river into a beach offering a mix of culture, adventure, and glamping. While the Northeast has State-specific events such as the Ziro Music Festival of Arunachal Pradesh, the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival of Meghalaya, and Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival, the hunt for a festival with a pan-region flavour resulted in the 90-day Brahmaputra Carnival that is scheduled to conclude on March 15. The event, billed as a celebration of culture, adventure and serenity, started on December 15, 2024, at Lachit Ghat in Guwahati and a seasonal sandbar or island on the Brahmaputra about four kilometre to the East.

As one approaches the location, a statue of Lachit Barphukan, a 17th-Century Ahom general, overlooks the ghat or riverbank. The venue is also beside a new bridge being built across the river. “The majestic, mighty, and mesmerising Brahmaputra is more than a river; it is the heartbeat of Assam’s culture and heritage apart from being at the core of a major biodiversity hotspot on earth,” says Tourism Minister Ranjeet Kumar Dass. “The Brahmaputra Carnival is a grand celebration of Assam’s vibrant culture, exquisite cuisine, thrilling adventures, and the timeless allure of the river. This festival marks a pivotal step in showcasing our State’s rich heritage and welcoming travellers from across the globe,” he adds. Tourism officials say the carnival is a bid to promote river tourism while contributing to the growth of Assam’s tourism ecosystem largely dependent on the Kaziranga National Park.

Where adventure meets culture Apart from jet skis, speedboat rides on adventure mode, parasailing, river rafting, kayaking, all-terrain vehicle rides, and other adventure activities, the highlight of the Brahmaputra Carnival is glamping, a portmanteau of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’, on an expansive sandbar that surfaces during the winter when the water level of the river subsides.

The sandbar, called Glamping Island Tent City, comprises a choice of tents — royal, premium, and deluxe — and includes meals and cultural programmes that range from the traditional to the hybrid. An added attraction is the opportunity to spot the playful Gangetic dolphin and laze on a luxury river cruise. “This is a one-of-a-kind event combining exciting activities and tranquillity in luxurious tents close to a bustling city that offers other attractions, ,” says Padmapani Bora, Managing Director, Assam Tourism Development Corporation.

If you opt for the city tour, it includes visits to the Kamakhya temple, about four kilometres from the venue, and the Mahabahu Brahmaputra River Heritage Centre converted from a British-era District Magistrate’s bungalow nearby. There are options to visit the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, often called ‘Mini Kaziranga’, about 50 kilometres away, and a silk village, Sualkuchi, about 30 kilometres away. “We hope to make the Brahmaputra Carnival the Northeast’s leading fun-filled event that swings between intense activities and leisurely, luxurious stays,” concludes a tourism official. 

The writer was at the festival on the invitation of Assam Tourism Development Corporation