India > Assam > Guwahati

Guwahati Tourism

Guwahati also called Guahati and Gauhati is the most famous and largest city in the north-east India. It is also the largest tea auction centre in the World. It has a long and rich history in Indian independence and culture. Guahati is situated on the banks of the river Brahmaputra in the Indian state Assam. Formerly it was known as Pragjyotishpur. Guahati name comes after two Assamese words “Gua” means “Supari” or areca nut or betel nut and “Hat” means Bazaar or Market. Once it was a trading destination and marketplace all about areca nut or betel nut and the surrounding areas are also famous for the areca plantation.

Some time Guwahati also called as "the City of Temple". In every locality of Guwahati, you can get some Hindu temples. Guahati also famous for the "Satipith Kamakhya", which is located just 8 kilometers away from the Guahati railway station. Not only Kamakhya temple, Guwahati also rich with its mix culture, colorful festivals, historical importance, scenic beauties, tribal traditions and more.

satipith Kamrup-kamakhya temple in guwahati

(Satipith Kamrup-Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati)

Guwahati is also important to any tourists who want to travel in northeast India, due to its geographic location and easy accessibilities with the other parts of the north-east India. Guwahati is well connected with all major cities in India. So, Guwahati works as "the Getway to the all seven sister states of North-East India".

Attraction of Guwahati

Kamakhya Temple:
Guwahati is the home of highly praised Kamakhya Temple, it is also known as the best tantrik shrines. The Kamakhya temple is situated on the top of the Nilachal hill, just 8 km from the Guahati railway station, which was built by Koch King Naranarayan on 1565. There have many others temple in surrounding area of near by the Kamakhya temple. It is a believed that you must visit trice at Kamakshya Temple to complete your pilgrimage. You can also take a scenic beauty of the flows of Brahmaputra from the Nilachal Hill and also of the Guwahati city.

Umananda Temple:
Umananda is the Bhairava (a form of Shiva) of Debi Kamakshya. Common opinion is that you should pray first at Umananda Temple before Kamakhya temple. Umananda temple is a Shiva temple, which is situated on an island in the middle of the River Brahmaputra. It is known as the Peacock Island and declared as the smallest river island in the World where permanent human residences are available. There have a Shiva ling and a sculpture of silver made ten armed deity Umananda sited on an Ox. Another temple of Chandrashekhar built by Ahom King Chandrakanta Singh is situated near by the Umananda temple.

Bhubaneshwari Temple:
Bhubaneswari Temple also located on the top of the Nilachal Hill and at a position higher than the Kamakhya Temple. It offers a panoramic view of the town of Guwahati and the sunset is very amazing from the temple area.

Vashistha Ashram:
Vashistha Ashram (the quarters of sage Vashistha) is situated around 12 kilometers from the Guwahati railway station. As per Hindu mythology, once Maharaja Mini maledicted to sage Vaishistha, and he lost his physic figure. He prays for God Vishnu in that deep hilly jungle. After religious austerities, three lovely rivulets – Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta flows down from the hills and meet each others at Vashistha Ganges. Sage Vaishistha got curse-free after bath on this water. It is a very amazing environment for the tourists surrounded by lots of trees and an old temple. Myth is that, foot spot of sage Vaishistha are still there.

Apart from these, there are some others temple and sightseeing places such as Srimanta Sankardeva Kalashetra, Navagraha Temple, Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Temple.

Besides temples, Guwahati has many others tourist places like, Assam State Museum, Guwahati Planetarium & Regional Science Centre, Assam State Zoo and Botanical garden. There are various natural and man made lakes – Deepor Beel, Dighalipukhuri, Silpukuri, Jorpukuri, Nakkatapukhuri, etc, and all are famous for the sightseeing.

How to reach at Guwahati

Guwahati is the largest city in north-east India. It is also called as the Gateway of North-East India. So it is well connected to all parts of east India easily. A numerous numbers of train and plane are available to reach in Guwahati throughout the India. So Guahati is very easy accessible from all over India and also Bus services are available from all seven sister states of north-east India and also from Siliguri of West Bengal. You can also hire private car from Siliguri to reach in Guwahati.