Fast Facts
Location : Assam
Attractions : Kamakhya Temple, Bhubneshwari Temple,
Umananda Temple, Bashishta Ashram, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, Assam
State Museum and Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden.
Best Time To Visit : October to May
Introducing Guwahati
Commonly referred to as the "Light of the East", Guwahati is the
gateway to the state of Assam and the entire north-east region. Straddling
the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river and ringed by rolling hills,
Guwahati is the biggest city in the Northeast. Once the capital of the
Kamrup kings (when it was ancient Pragiyotishpur), Guwahati is now a
crowded, busy town and a major commercial hub of the region. Surrounded by
green paddy field and ancient rain-forests, Guwahati houses several temples
dating back to Vedic and Puranic periods.
A god gifted place, Guwahati is bestowed with thick forests that provide
shelter to some of the most exotic ecological systems, a wide array of
fascination tribes and cultures, unique wildlife and a picturesque landscape
of shimmering rivers and lakes, verdant valleys and beautiful hills.
Moreover, Guwahati offers lots of sightseeing and leisure activities to
visitors. So, while you are here, don't forget to enjoy the favourite
activity of the locals, that is a stroll along the river Brahmaputra. You
can walk along the river, taking in the cool evening breeze and stop at the
floating restaurants on the bank of the
How to Reach Guwahati
By Air : Guwahati has an international airport (Lokpriya
Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport), located at a distance of 27 kms
from the city centre. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Air Deccan has
several flights to Guwahat from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. Guwahati
airport has also flight services to a few towns of the Northeast - Imphal,
Agartala, Bagdogrs and Dibrugarh. From the airport taxis and auto-rickshaws
are availble to various parts of the city. You can also take ASTC's Rhino
City Bus Service that runs from the airport to city centre, in every
half-an-hour.
Helicopter Sevices : Helicopter Services operate from
Guwahati to Shillong, Tura and Itanagar.
By Train : Guwahati is the headquarters of North-east
Frontier Railway and it linked by several mail and express trains to all
parts of the country. Guwahati Railway Station is situated right in the
centre of the city, taxis and auto-rickshaws are available at the railway
station for transfer to different parts of the city.
By Bus : Guwahati is considered the gateway to the
north-eastern states and it is also the junction of NH 31, NH 37, NH 40 and
NH 52. Road distances of some important destinations from Guwahati are :
Shillong (100 km), Tura (191 km), Tezpur (198 km), Kaziranga (217 km),
Silchar (340 km), Bomdila (342 km), Dimapur (364 km), Cooch Behar (375 km),
Itanagar (429 km), Kohima (438 km), Aizawl (480 km), Tinsukia (491 km),
Digboi (522 km) and Imphal (583 km).
Local Transport : Rickshaws and tourist taxis are
available here to take you to the nearest hotel or resort. Motorcycle taxis
are also available at Mapusa near the main town square. Local buses ply to
the nearby beaches of Calangute, Baga, Anjuna, Vagator, Chapora, and
Arambol.
Places Where You Can Stay
Accommodation in not at all a problem in Guwahati, as the city has a number
of hotels ranging from deluxe to budget hotels. Some of the famous hotels of
the town are Hotel Brahmputra Ashok, Hotel Belle Vue, Hotel Landmark, Hotel
Dynasty, Hotel Raj Mahal, Hotel Nandan, Hotel Vishwaratna etc.
Tourist Attractions in Guwahati
Kamakhya
Temple : Just 8 kms from the city centre, the Kamakhya temple is
perched atop the Nilachal hills. Kamakhya Temple is the foremost shrine of
the state of Assam and also an ancient seat of tantaric and shakti cults of
Hinduism. From the temple get the breathtaking views of river Brahmaputra
and its magnificent surroundings. The presiding deity of the temple is
Goddess Parvati (Sati), and the temple is also called Yoni Pith and is said
to be a tantric centre.
Bhubneshwari Temple : Close to the Kamakhya Temple is the
Bhubneshwari Temple. From this temple you can get a panoramic view of the
Brahmaputra river and the city.
Umananda Temple : Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Umananda
temple is situated on the Peacock island in the middle of Brahmaputra river.
Peacock island is believed to be the world's smallest human inhabited river
island. To reach this temple you need to a take a ferry ride from the banks
of the river.
Other Important Temples : Situated on Chitranchal Hill,
the Nabagraha Temple is an important centre for the study of astronomy and
astrology. Next, Ugratara Temple in Jorpukhuri is dedicated to an
incarnation of Goddess Kali. Dirgheshwari temple is another important temple
which is dedicated to an avatar of Goddess Durga. Visit the Ashvaklanta
Temple which offers fine views of the city against the river Brahmaputra.
Bashishta Ashram : Bashishta Ashram, a must visit place
in Guwahati dates back to the time when great sage Vashishta visited the
spot on the confluence of the three steams - Sandhya, Kanta and Lalita and
set up his ashram here.
Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra : A modern cultural
complex, Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra lies about 15 kms away from the city
centre. One of the most favoured hangout spots in the city, the complex has
an open-air theatre, a small museum, lush green gardens, an international
convention centre and a library. Every weekend cultural events, musical
recitals and dance performances are held at this complex.
Assam State Museum : A well-maintained museum, Assam
State Museum displays the various aspects of Assami culture, history and
traditional crafts. The museum has been divided into five sections -
paintings section, freedom fighters section, village life section, sculpture
section and ethnography section. Open everyday, closed on Mondays.
Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden : The zoo cum
botanical garden, spread over 175 hectares of land and houses endangered and
rare species of wildlife and plants. Main attractions of the zoo include the
one horned rhino, giraffe, zebra and chimpanzee. Open daily, except Fridays.
Other Attractions of Guwahati
Brahmaputra Beach Festival : Every year in the middle of
January, the Brahmaputra Beach Festival is organized for five days, by the
Assam Boat Racing and Rowing Association, in association with the Department
if Tourism, Government of Assam. The beach festival is held on the sandy
beach of the mighty Brahmaputra river and various colourful cultural
activities are organized during the festival. The Indian Airforce organises
adventure sports of para-trouping and paragliding during the festival.
Besides, elephant rides, cultural programmes, a traditional north east
fashion show and traditional Bihu food festival are major attractions of the
festival.
River Cruises : River Cruises across the Brahmaputra is
the most dominating feature of Guwahati. At present two type of cruising
options are available that include the shot duration pleasure tour and
longer excursions. Catch the ferry travelling between Sukheswar Ghat and
North Guwahati or cruise a little more stylishly in one of the state
tourism-rin vessels. Apart from these, take an hour's drive to Sualkuchi to
explore the dazzling world of Assam.
Tourist Attractions Around Guwahati
Hajo : Situated 24 kms away from Guwahati, Hajo is often
referred to as the cultural melting pot of Assam. Hajo is an interesting
place, here you will find shrines of three different faiths - Hinduism,
Muslim and Buddhism, coexisting peacefully down the ages. The Hayagrib
Madhab Temple of the town is said to contain a relic of Buddha, who attained
Nirvana here.
Sualkuchi : Sualkuchi is 32 kms away from Guwahati on the
bank of the river Brahmaputra. The town is renowned for its varieties of
silk such as Pat, Munga and Endi. Every household at Sualkuchi has its own
loom, on which they prepare the beautiful silk.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary : Located 60 kms from
Guwahati, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary can be reached in two hours. Here you
can see the one horned rhinos, deers and several other varieties of wild
animals.
Tezpur : Tezpur lies 181
kms away from Guwahati and also referred to as the 'City of Blood.' The city
of eternal love is steeped in mythology, legend and folklore. Set on the
north bank of the Brahmaputra, Tezpur boasts of spectacular beauty and
marvellous arhaeological ruins. Enjoy the delightful views of the
Brahmaputra river at dawn, next see the flurry of activity as the day begins
for the boats and vessels lined up near the lovely banks of the river. Visit
the nearby Da Parbatia, to see the remains of the 5th - 6th centuries stone
temples. Cole Park is another attraction of the town, if you have sufficient
time drive down to the Eco-camp near Jai Bhoroli river, about 50 kms away.
Shopping in Guwahati
Guwahati offers wide and varied choices to shopper's. Shopping in Guwahati
is a delightful experience and any trip to the city is incomplete without
shopping. Guwahati has several markets where you can buy a variety of items.
Famous traditional buys in Guwahati include silks, you may take them as
souvenirs to your home. Opt from the varieties like Endi, Munga and Pat. You
may also check a wide range of furniture, handicrafts and decorative items,
made from bamboo and cane. Main shopping areas in the city are Fancy Bazar,
Paltan Bazar and Pan Bazar. Here you can find items ranging from clothes,
shoes and toys to the furniture and flowers of different varieties. Most of
the emporium are located in Fancy Bazar and Pan Bazar area. You may also
visit the roadside evening markets in these areas for traditional
handicrafts.
