Ujan Bazaar

UZAN BAZAAR

Uzan Bazaar is a residential cum commercial center of the city of Guwahati. It is located in the Northern part of the city with the river Brahmaputra flowing alongside. This area being the nearest of the residential areas as far as the river is concerned, is famous for its fish market where one can buy freshly fished out varieties from the river.

Uzan Bazaar happens to be one of the oldest settlements in the city. It houses some of the major tourist as well as sites of regional importance in and around its area.

Etymology

According to legends, the name Uzan Bazaar comes from the Assamese word "Azan" (Muslim offering of verbal prayers) due to the presence of a mosque perhaps since the early stages of settlements in the area. Others say that the word comes from the Assamese word "Jaan" (a rivulet), which served as a canal to the Brahmaputra during the times when naval merchants were a common class of business community in ancient Assam.However this stream no longer exist, thanks to the rapid urbanization. Bazaar is a name suffixed after many places in and around the Guwahati city, as the city served as a major commercial hub since the Ahom rule.In fact, Guwahati itself means the 'Market of Betel Nuts'.

Major Places in Uzan Bazar

Jor Pukhuri

"Jor" means 'a pair' in Assamese and "Pukhuri" stands for 'pond'. So, Jor Pukhuri is a pair of ponds which adds up to the residential value of the area. The two ponds, said to be a well serving as the water source for the temple of Ugratara, a prominent centre of Shakti Puja, in the times of Koch rulers. Some claim the water of the ponds have an under source with the river Brahmaputra, but the truth still remain unexplored. Apart from the legendary significance this set of ponds serves as an eye candy for the residents in and around the pond surroundings. Moreover, its serves as an excellent nesting grounds for various Herons, Egrets and Cranes in the trees in its boundary. The pond, since a very long time is the home to a gaggle of Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus), "Raj Haanh" in Assamese, and their various humanly antics have become figs of various folklore and poetry of Assam.

Latasil

Latasil is a playground in the Uzan Bazar, Guwahati.The playground, which is a permanent venue for Bihu and Durga Puja celebrations,have donated its name to the area as well. The playground also serves as a coaching center and practice ground for various cricket and football clubs.

Kharghuli

Kharghuli is the hilly terrain of Uzan Bazar. It is one of the recent extension of the area due to rising population and inner city migration. The area is famous for some palatial bunglows of the Government, like Judge's Residence and private mansions of Industrialists of the city. However, the area remains to be a major settlement of various ethnic tribal families, earning for livelihood.

Maas Ghat

"Maas Ghat", Assamese for 'Fish Port' is a small thatched market area famous for its fresh river fishes. In the wee hours of the day, the market comes to its fullest of life. One can hear the loud auction cries of the whole sellers locally known as "Mohol"(wholesale) owners, inviting bids from the fish sellers. Though people thronging the place for their own direct consumption could also be seen in the market as the local people are avid fish consumer.

Uzanbozar-the daily market

Uzanbozar happens to be one of the busiest of the daily-needs market in the city of Guwahati.This market lends its name to the whole area with which it is known as. Apart from value stores, department stores, groceries, confectioners, meat sellers, fish mongers, bakeries, eateries and food joints, the market earns a good repute from the womenfolk for its wide availability of "'Ladies Tailors'," a set of kiosks famed for their self acclaimed proficiency in stitching women's garments, especially churidaars and salwaar kameez, a traditional North Indian attire now happily owned by the Assamese women folk as well. Beside these shops and commercial establishments, the Market area also nestles a Guwahati Municipality Corporation's branch office and a Post Office of the Indian Post.

Kachari Bozaar

This market gets its name from the nearby placed Guwahati High Court and the District Court. Kachari in Assamese means Court. However apart from the name, which is a misnomer, the market is a typical Assamese countryside market, within the city. The market is frequented by the people even from the furtherest corner of the city due to the market's reputation of selling exotic Assamese fruits and vegetables.

Baruwari Puja Mandap

This community establishment is a major prayer hall for the locals of Uzan Bazaar. An annual Durga Puja attracts a major crowd during the festival. This "mandap"(prayer hall in Assamese), is also a common venue of Hindu marriage ceremonies, sacred thread ("Upanayan") ceremonies and various traditional auspicious family events and functions for the Guwahatians. The prayer hall in return lends its name "Baruwari"( meaning which belong to the community in Assamese) to the place in and around it.

Vivekananda Kendra

Guwahati's branch of Vivekananda Kendra is in Uzan Bazaar. It is a non profit organisation run by the Vivekananda Trust of India which serves as a center of Yoga and Cultural and spiritual studies.

Apart from these major places in the Uzan Bazar area of Guwahati, it is also the home to a number of literary and cultural activist of Assam. It is perhaps due to this that,"Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir"- a regular cultural venue for various city events in Guwahati,is present in Uzan Bazaar. A children library, "Bishnu Nirmala Xhixu Poothibhnoraal", serves as a perfect reading place for the local kids. Amongst the teenagers and young adults, Uzan Bazar serves a perfect spot for recreational activities along side its river bank.This river bank is further ornamented with a park, consisting of a jogging track and offers a beautiful view of the Brahmaputra river. The Guwahati Planetarium is in Uzan Bazaar, north of the Latasil field. The Guwahati High Court, is also in the Uzan Bazaar area.

Uzan Bazaar is well connected with the rest of the city through the City Bus services, auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws, Trekkers-shared taxi service and other modes of city transportation.

Area specific Information

Pin Code-781001

Major City Road Network- M.C. Road, F.C. Road, M.G.Road.

Bus Stops-2

Hotels-3

Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok,a luxury hotel from the Ashok Group of Hotels of India.Hotel Blue Moon,a budget accommodation.Hotel Belle Vue,a choice amongst tourist for hill top view of the Brahmaputra it offers.

Schools- 2 Government Primary Schools, 2 Government High School and a few nursery and kindergartens are run by locals and business houses.

Although Uzan Bazaar holds an urban legend for its local hooliganism, the area is rather safe and secured as compared to other far flung localities of the Guwahati City and happens to hold one of the highest property rates in the city's real estate market.Other major neighbourhoods adjacent to Uzan Bazaar are- Digholy Pukhuri, Ambari, Happy Villa, Judge's Field, Chenikutir, Guwahati Club and Kanwachal.