Sivasagar was formerly known as Rangpur. Sivasagar not only has several monuments including the TalatalGhar (palace with underground floors – now sealed KarengGhar (multi-storeyed palace) and Rangghar (amphitheatre) built by the Ahom kings, but also several temples.
The Talatal Ghar is a palace which was initially built as an army base. It houses two secret tunnels, and three floors below ground level which were used as exit routes during the Ahom wars The Talatal Ghar constitutes the underground structure of the Rangpur Palace, whose four floors above ground make up the Kareng Ghar
Rang Ghar is a double-storied, oval shaped, amphitheater with a roof shaped like an inverted boat. It was constructed by Swargadeo Pramatta Singha. The Rang Ghar is said to be amongst the largest of amphitheaters.
The 18th century Rangghar, Asia’s first amphitheatre, at Sivasagar town exemplifies the best of Ahom architecture Members of the royalty watched buffalo and elephant fights, duels and sporting events from the upper storey while commoners enjoyed them sitting on earthen mounds that once surrounded Rangghar.
The underground chambers have been sealed but visitors can view the remnants of the upper storeys. Another multi-storeyed palace is the Kareng Ghar.
Amongst the temples, the three most important among them are the Shiva-dol, Vishnu-dol and Devi-dol, all standing by the Sivasagarpukhuri, a 200 year old man made tank. The Shiva-dol is said to be the tallest Shiva temple in India.
Shiva Dol was built in 1734 by KuworiAmbika, wife of the SwargadeoSibaSingha. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this is the most sacred of the three temples.
Vishnu Dol was also built by KuworiAmbika. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
Devi Dol is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess of Power, Durga. Durga Puja, the most important festival marked at the temple, is celebrated twice a year: in the months of Chaitra (April–May) and Ashwin (September–October).
On the southern banks of Devi-dol is the Tai Museum, which houses textiles and other artifacts including vestments, swords, manuscripts, goblets, and household utensils belonging to the Ahom kings and the Tai-Ahom people. Joysagar, said to be the biggest man-made lake in the country, is spread over 318 acres (1.29 km2) of water on the edge of the town in an area called Rangpur, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away from the present town of Sivasagar. This lake was built by SwargadeoRudraSingha in honour of his mother, Joymoti.The Ahom queen BorKuworiPhuleshwari Devi built GauriSagar tank, which is spread over 150 acres (0.61 km2).
In the heart of Sivasagar town, by the Sivasagar tank is situated the Central Baptist Church, which was originally established in 1845 by Rev Nathan Brown, the American Baptist missionary who also played a major role in restoration of Assamese as oficial language after the British had replaced it with Bengali.
CHALAPOTHAR SHYAM GAON -This is the oldest Buddhist temple in Assam located at Moniting area of Chalapothar in Sivasagar district.
PANIDIHING WILDLIFE SANCTUARY-This Sanctuary is located 22 km from Sivasagar. A paradise of migratory and resident birds, over 165 species of birds have been identified and recorded here. Among these is a high concentration of geese and other migratory birds. Common species include bar-headed goose, grey leg goose, spot billed duck, mallard, gadwall, wigeon, gargany, shoveller, red-crested pochard, common pochard, ferruginous duck, adjutant stork, lesser adjutant stork, open-bill stork, and the white-necked stork. Several varieties of fish have also been identified here, along with various species of frogs, snakes, and other amphibians and reptiles.