New Initiative Launched to Document Northeast India's Historic Sites
Documenting Heritage in Northeast India
A file image of the Kamakhya Temple. (Photo: @IndiaAesthetica/X)
GUWAHATI, May 25: The North East Zone of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) India has initiated a project aimed at documenting seven significant historical locations and their heritage sites throughout the Northeast as part of the “Historic City Series (2026–2028).”
This initiative seeks to safeguard and promote the region's rich history, archaeological findings, religious heritage, and cultural practices for future generations. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Drone Foundation, the National Institute of Urban Affairs, and ICOMOS India.
The selected cities and towns for this documentation project include Agartala, Guwahati, Hajo, Imphal, Jowai, Shillong, and Tezpur.
The documentation will encompass various sites such as temples, mosques, churches, ancient monuments, satras, caves, forests, traditional houses, and cultural practices. Notable heritage sites include Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala, Kamakhya Temple, and the Ambari archaeological site in Guwahati, Hayagriva Madhab Temple and Poa Macca in Hajo, Kangla Fort in Imphal, the Nartiang monoliths in Jowai, forests and caves in Shillong, and Duar and Bamuni Hills in Tezpur.
Additionally, the project will highlight Hajo’s traditional brass industry and the living cultural heritage of Barjuli near Tezpur. Organizers believe this initiative will enhance heritage conservation, boost tourism, foster academic research, and encourage community involvement in protecting heritage.
The documentation efforts will be overseen by various experts including MK Pragya Deb Burman (Agartala), Jayanta Sarma (Guwahati), Dr. Hari Prasad Agarwal (Hajo), Dr. Homen Thangjam (Imphal), Ibynta B Tiewsoh (Jowai), Dr. K Bala (Shillong), and Dr. Sanjib Kumar Barkakati (Tezpur), as stated in a press release.