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Guwahati, this gorgeous city is the capital of
Assam. It is located on banks of the mighty Brahmaputra river, surrounded by
a ring of beautiful mountains in the North Eastern region of India. It The
ancient Pragjyotishpura - "the light of the east", is situated on the banks
of the mighty river Brahmaputra surrounded by a ring of rolling hills. The
city is the major gateway to the cities of North East India and gateway to
this region. It is a place of pilgrimage and also is an important business
and commercial centre, cultural hub and educational nerve centre of North
Eastern India.
Famed as Kamrup, the birthplace of Kamdev - the God of Love, in ancient
times, revered in the Mahabharata as Pragjyotishpur - The Light of the East,
a lot of water has since flowed down the Lohit (Assamese for the Brahmaputra)
and today, Guwahati has emerged as the largest tea-auctioning centre in the
world.
Tremble in the half-lit, surreal interiors of the Kamakhya Temple, revel in
a tumultuous cruise on the River Brahmaputra, do a quick tour of Dispur, the
state capital lying in its suburbs or simply escape to the enchanting Garo,
Khasi and Naga Hills lying beyond. The deceptive quiet of the place won't
ever let you feel that you're in the largest city in the region.
The people are easygoing and love to chill out in the evenings; the air is
balmy, the hills unsullied - Guwahati the land of muga silk and delectable
Assam tea is just waiting to enchant you !
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Guwahati is the gateway to the North East. It is well connected to
the major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, etc. Indian Airlines, Jet
Airways and Sahara Airways connect Guwahati to Delhi which takes two half
hours, Kolkata - Guwahati flight take one and half hour.
By Rail - Paltan Bazar Railway Station, is very busy & overcrowded which
well connected to the other major cities with Express and regular trains.
By Road - Guahati is well connected to the other major cities with a
good road network.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to travel Guwahati is between October and April.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Kaziranga National Park - This wildlife sanctuary
is world famous for one horned rhinos and various other wild animals.
The park lies 225 km east of Guwahati, on the banks of the mighty river
Brahmaputra. Approachable from either Guwahati or Jorhat, the 430sq.
kms. of grassland and impenetrable evergreen semi- deciduous forest.
Home of the one horned Indian Rhinoceros, Kaziranga also abounds in the
buffalo, the tiger, the swamp and hog deer, the wild elephant, sambar,
gibbon and hundreds of species of resident and migratory birds. The best
months to visit are from October to April.
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Kamakhya Temple - Perched atop the Nilachal Hill,
this wonderful example of traditional Assamese architecture offers a
breathtaking view of the Brahmaputra roaring below. A seat of tantric
Hinduism, legend has it that when Shiva was carrying away the corpse of
his wife Sati, her yoni or vagina fell here making it one of the
greatest shaktipithas in India. Every year, hordes of pilgrims gather
here during the Ambabuchi festival (June/ July) which celebrates the
completion of the Mother Goddess's menstrual cycle. And, once you have
been through the dark and eerie insides of the temple, you won't be
surprised to know that it has been associated with an ancient Khasi
sacrificial site. Frequent buses from the Paltan Bazaar stand will drop
you at Kamakhya.
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Umananda Temple - The best thing about this temple
is its picturesque location on Peacock Island, the largest of the three
islands in the middle of the River Brahmaputra. Built in the memory of
Uma, the consort of Shiva, the three temples of Umananda, Chandrashekhar
and Hargaura have exquisite rock carvings and are thronged by devotees
on the occasion of Shivaratri. Add to it the excitement of a ferry ride
on the wild Brahmaputra. Regular crossings between 7am and 5 pm,
charging Rs 6 for a return trip from Umananda and Pan Bazaar Ghats.
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Navagraha Temple - Accessible by a pucca road, the
Navagraha Temple is located on the Chitrachal Hill close to Silpukhuri.
The unique features of this shrine are the nine lingas inside the temple
representing the navagrahas or the nine planets, which are worshipped to
ward off evil.
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Basistha Ashram - Legend has it that this
beautiful site by a gurgling hilly brook on the southern limits of the
city was once the haunt of the venerable sage Basistha. With a tiny old
temple and picture perfect setting, it has now become a popular picnic
spot for the city crowd.
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Assam State Museum - A treasure house of
archaeological and demographic specimens that go back to the 5th
century, the museum, situated near Dighali Pukhuri in the heart of the
city, is a must-see for anybody interested in the culture of the
Assamese people.
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Assam State Zoo and Botanical Gardens - At 5 km
east of the railway station, the state zoo is a well managed, sprawling
establishment unlike most other zoos in the country. Apart from tigers
and leopards the one reason you simply cannot afford to miss out on the
zoo is the rare one-horned rhino along with its two-horned African
brethren. |
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WHERE TO EAT
There are good restaurants in the city and you can also try the special
restaurant at the luxury hotels.
Paradise Restaurant, Moniram Dewan Road: Tasty rice-vegetables-pulses-fish
meals coupled with a mug of beer at the bar upstairs.
Ming Room, under the flyover off GN Bordoloi Road: Offers arguably the best
Chinese platter in town.
Woodlands, GS Road: Feast on traditional South Indian goodies in a relaxed
setting.
Utsav, Hotel Nandan, GS Road: One of the better places to savour crisp North
Indian tandooris and naans.
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