Guwahati City: For Tourists
The gateway to the North Eastern India –the legendary Pragjyotishpur or as it is popularly known” The City of Eastern Light”- Guwahati is situated on the banks of the mighty river Brahmaputra and is the capital city of Assam.
Try and visit this wonderful place in the months starting from February to May, the weather at this time of the year is pleasant with very less humidity. Avoid visiting the place in the peak monsoons around mid -June to mid-September, the rains are bad enough to scare you out of all holiday plans. It is an advice to carry mosquito repellants as a travel accessory while on a visit to Guwahati, also do try and avoid the local buses; they are not a fun way to travel.
Attractions of “The City of Eastern Lights”
Temples: Guwahati is the Temple city of Assam
Kamakhya Temple
The Sacred nilachal Hill is located at a distance of 8kms to the west of Guwahati and is believed to be a ‘Khasi’ sacrificial site.The hill has a number of temples, the most famous being the Kamakhya Temple.The temple attracts pilgrims from all over India, especially during the Ambubachi Festival which usually falls in June/ July. Durga Puja and Manasa Festival are also celebrated here. Several smaller shrines and temples dedicated to Kala Bhairava, Shiva and other deities are also located in the vicinity of Kamakhya temple.
Navagrah Temple
The Navagrah Temple of rather the temple of nine planets is located on Chitrachal Hills situated to the east of Guwahati. This temple gave Guwahati the name- Pragjyotishpur
Umananda Temple
The temple dedicated to Shiva was built on the 17th century atop the Bhasmachala Hill is situated in the midst of the mighty Brahmaputra. The devotees visit the temple on ferries the services of which are available daily from 7 am till 5 in the evening. The annual Shivaratri festival attracts a large number of people to this temple.
Janardhan Temple
The temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu was built in the 10th century and is situated in the heart of the city at Shukaleshwar hillock near the Brahmaputra River.
Basishta
Basistha Muni Temple alias Basistha Ashram is situated on Sadhya Chal Hill about 12km from Guwahati. It is believed to be the Hermitage of Basistha Muni (Vasistha), a famous saint and scholar and the author of the famous Epic Ramayana.
Purva Tirupathi- Shri Balaji Mandir
The temple dedicated to Lord Balaji is constructed in South Indian architechtural style and is located in Betkuchi on a sprawling two acres of land.
Assam Zoo and Botanical Gardens
The Assam State Zoo and the botanical Gardens are located at about 5 kms to the east of the railway station. The animals in the zoo can be found in their natural habitat and it covers a whole area of over 130 hectares. One can spot the famous one-horned Rhino in the zoos, the botanical gardens was established in 1982 and is spread over an area of 82 hectares. The Assam State Zoo and the botanical Gardens are open on all weekdays except Fridays.
Assam Commercial Museum
The commercial museum was established in 1956 by the Guwahati University and is the first of its kind in the country. The museum holds exhibits of arts, crafts, commercial products, minerals, rocks, coins etc ,it remains closed on Saturdays and on other University Holidays, on weekdays the museum remains open from 12-30 to 6-30 in the evening.
Assam State Museum
located in the city centre near the famous Dighalipukhuri lake contains exhibits dating to pre-historic ages. The large multipurpose museum was established in 1940 as a non-government body but was taken by the state government in 1953. The museum contains wonderful exhibits, portraying different cultures of the state, there are Built huts of Assamese tribes and one can walk right through these village huts, this museum has the power to transport you to olden times.
Deporbeel Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary covers an extensive wetland of around 4 sqkms and is situated at a distance of 18 kms from the city. The sanctuary is the home of over more than 150 species of birds, the best time to visit this place is from December to March.The birds found here are namely Kingfisher, water cock, fishing eagle, ferruginous duck etc.
Srimanta Sankardev Kalashetra
The Kalashetra is a modern multi arts complex, named after the greatest Saint Sankardeva.It aims at preservation and promotion of the Assamese culture. It is located in the Panjabari district, the premises of the kalashetra holds an art gallery, an open air theatre and a Vaishnvite Temple, besides it also has a Sahitya Bhavan Library which is a house of rare books and manuscripts of great Assamese writers and scholars.
How to reach Guwahati
By Air
Book a Flight on any of the Domestic Airlines to Borjhar Airport, Guwahati
By Train
A number of trains, including the Rajdhani Express from Delhi link Guwahati to the other states of the country.
By Road
Guwahati is connected to other north eastern states by both government and private buses. The Private Bus Station at Lokhra connects the city to all the other states.
Travel and Tourist Information Centre:
Government Of India Tourist Office, B.K.Kakati Road, Ulubari, Guwahati Tel:0361-54-7407.
Directorate Of Tourism, Government of Assam, Station Road, Guwahati Tel:0361-52-7102.
Assam Government Tourist Office, 8 Russel Street, Calcutta Tel: 29-8331