HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, Feb 23: Tourists on board at the MV Ganga Vilas, the longest river cruise in the world, were accorded warm welcome on Thursday at Tezpur Jahajghat here by the Sonitpur district administration officials. Deputy commissioner Deba Kumar Mishra, CEO Zilla Parishad Karabi Saikia Karan, district BJP president Batas Orang and others welcomed the tourists to Tezpur. The tourists were welcomed at Jahajghat with traditional manner, with Nepali and Sattriya dancers putting up performances for the tourists.
The tourists during the day visited the ruins at Da-Parbatia and Cole Park, where officials explained the history and importance of the spots to the tourists. Handloom and handicraft products were set up on display at Cole Park and traditional Assamese pithas (rice cakes) and ladoos were served to the tourists.
The visiting team was profoundly impressed by the tourist attractions of Tezpur and were impressed by the rich heritage, natural beauty, and folk culture of the state. They also appreciated the hospitality of the people of Assam. A tourist from Germany bought a ‘Mibu chola’ for her son and some were bought traditional food items. Some of them also participated in a mass dance programme organised by the Sonitpur district administration.
It is worth mentioning that the world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas ship reached Tezpur on Wednesday around 5:40 pm after sailing 420 kms in Assam through Dhubri, Goalpara, Sualkuchi, Pandu and Mayong. The ship cruised along the mighty Brahmaputra for the sixth day since entering Assam on last Friday.
Before Tezpur, the travelling 28 foreign tourists visited many iconic places of repute in Dhubri, Goalpara, Sualkuchi and Pandu.