About Guwahati

Country: India | State: Assam

Ideal Trip Duration: 2 Full Days

Nearest City to Guwahati: Guwahati

Best Time to Visit Guwahati: October to March

Peak Season: November to February

At a distance of 8 km from Dispur, 95 km from Shillong, 110 km from Nagaon, 159 km from Tezpur, 360 km from Agartala, 414 km from Dibrugarh, 452 km from Imphal, 467 km from Darjeeling, 504 km from Gangtok, 786 km from Darbhanga and 923 km from Patna, Guwahati, also known as the 'City of Eastern Light', is the largest city in the Indian state of Assam. Situated on the banks of Brahmaputra River, Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities in India and among the popular places to experience Assam Tourism.

Considered to be the gateway to north east India, Guwahati is situated between the southern bank of Brahmaputra River and the foothills of the Shillong plateau. Dispur, a part of Guwahati, serves as the capital of Assam. The city derives its name from two Assamese words 'Guwa' meaning betel nut and 'Haat' meaning market. The city is regarded as the cultural hub of North Eastern India and is also the second largest metropolis in eastern India after Kolkata.

There have been a lot of mythological references regarding the city of Guwahati which clearly states that it has been the capital of mythological kings such as Bhagadatta and Narakasura. According to Ambari excavations, the city was under the Hindu kingdoms of Shunga-Kushana, between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD. Earlier called as Pragjyotishpura, it served as the capital city for the Varman and Pala dynasties and it remained the capital of Assam till the 10th - 11th Century AD. Under the Ahom kings, the city was the seat of the Borphukan. The Mughals tried to invade Assam seventeen times but were defeated by the Ahoms. The city was under Burmese rule from 1817 to 1826. Following the First Anglo-Burmese War, the city became a part of the British Empire. After independence, Assam's capital shifted from Shillong to Dispur, which is currently the administrative hub of Guwahati.

From the lush green hills and tea plantations to the winding Brahmaputra River, from the magnificent sacred temples to the busy markets, Guwahati has many attractions. Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Temple, Saraighat Bridge, Assam State Zoo, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park, Regional Science Centre, Navagraha Temple etc. are some of the popular places to visit in Guwahati. The Kaziranga National Park and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary are famous throughout the world as the abode of the rare one-horned rhinoceros. Guwahati is also major center of business, shopping, and economics and is home to prestigious educational institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Guwahati University.

Guwahati is a culturally rich city as the people of several communities and religions live in and around the city. All of these communities celebrate different festivals throughout the year. Bihu is the state festival of Assam that is celebrated all over the state in mid-April to commemorate the Assamese New Year. Ambubachi Mela is another important festival celebrated every year in the month of June. Brahmaputra Beach Festival, Durga Puja, Manasa Festival, Rongali Utsav are the other festivals celebrated in Guwahati with great pomp.

Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport, also known as Guwahati International Airport, is the nearest airport which is about 25 km from Guwahati. It has direct flights from New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Agartala, Jaipur, Aizawl, Siliguri and Dibrugarh. Guwahati Junction is well connected by trains with Agartala, Dibrugarh, Silchar, Bangalore, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Trivandrum, Okha, Chennai, Mumbai, Bikaner, Kanyakumari, Howrah, Patna, Siliguri, Jammu Tawi, Amritsar and Kolkata. Guwahati is well connected by roads with Dibrugarh,Siliguri, Shillong, Tinsukia, Jorhat, Tezpur, Silchar and Kaziranga.

The best time to visit Guwahati is between the months of October and March. The city enjoys winter season during this time. The enjoyable atmosphere and chilly climate make for an amazing time to explore the city and its surrounding areas.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Good
STD Code: 0361
Languages Spoken: Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, English & Hindi
Major Festivals: Bihu, Ambubachi Mela & Brahmaputra Beach Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Guwahati

By Air

Nearest Airport: Guwahati - Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (25 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Guwahati Railway Station (0 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Rupnath Brahma Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT) (10 Kms)

Top 12 Places to Visit in Guwahati

Pilgrimage

#1 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 9 km from Guwahati Railway Station, the Kamakhya Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located atop Nilachal hill in Guwahati city of Assam, India. Also called Kamrup-Kamakhya, it is one of the most sacred places of Pilgrimage in India and among the top places to visit in Guwahati.

Dedicated to mother goddess Kamakhya, the Kamakhya temple is considered as the most sacred and oldest of the 51 Shakti Peethas on earth. Also revered as 'Bleeding Goddess', it is one of the most revered shrines of Shakti in India and is also an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus, especially for Tantric worshipers. According to mythology, Kamakhya Temple denotes the spot where the yoni of Goddess Sati fell after Shiva danced with her corpse. It is a part of the four most important Shakti Peethas, the other being the Vimala Temple in Puri, Sthana Khanda in Brahmapur, Odisha and Dakhina Kalika in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The temple was built during the Mleccha dynasty in 8th-9th .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 3 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Umananda Temple is a prominent Hindu temple located on Peacock Island in the middle of mighty Brahmaputra River in Guwahati city of Assam. It is one of popular temples in Assam and among the top places to visit in Guwahati.

Placed atop the Bhasmakuta or Bhasmachala Hill, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the most revered temple in the entire state of Assam. The Umananda Temple was built in 1694 AD by Borphukan Garhganya Handique on the order of the King Gadadhar Singha who was one of the strongest rulers of Ahom dynasty. A devastating earthquake destroyed the original temple in 1897 and was later rebuilt by a rich merchant who was a devotee of Lord Shiva.

Legend says that, Lord Shiva resided on this island as Bhayananda. It is said that at the beginning of creation, Lord Shiva sprinkled ashes here and imparted the supreme knowledge to his wife, Parvati. Another legend says that, once Lord Shiva was meditating on .....

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Heritage

#3 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 11 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Saraighat Bridge is bridge constructed over Brahmaputra River in the city of Guwahati, Assam. It is one of the historical places in Guwahati and among the best places to visit in Guwahati.

Saraighat Bridge is the first rail-cum-road bridge constructed over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. This is the vital link between North East region and the rest of the country. The bridge was built for the North Frontier Railway. Designed by B.C. Ganguly, the construction of Saraighat Bridge was started in 1958 and was opened to traffic in 1962 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Built immediately after the Indo-Chinese war it has already completed 50 years of its existence in 2012. It also has historical importance as it is the place where fight between the Mughals and the Ahoms took place.

Saraighat Bridge is a double decker bridge which is around 2 km long with national highways 31 & 27 run on top and railway tracks below. .....

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Museum

#4 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 11 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Regional Science Centre is an activity driven non formal science museum situated at Jawahar Nagar in the city of Guwahati. Popularly known as Science Museum, it is one of the top museums in Assam and among the best Guwahati Tourist Places.

The Regional Science Centre was established in 1994 to educate children regarding the impact of science and technology. It is one of India's 27 science centers administered by the National Council of Science Museum, Government of India. It has interactive exhibits related to science education as well as prehistoric life. The major attractions of this science center include magic tap, cliff lift, fun mirror and the coalmine. The museum also provides an insight into the works of some of the renowned Indian and great scientists of the world.

The center boasts of a vibrant science park, a prehistoric park, 3D science movies and science shows. The indoor as well as outdoor expositions .....

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Museum

#5 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 11 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra is a non-profit cultural institution in the Panjabari area of Guwahati, Assam. Named after the medieval poet-playwright and reformer Srimanta Sankardeva, it is the largest cultural congregation of the north east India and is also one of the well-known places to visit in Guwahati.

Built in 1990s, the Kalakshetra was built in the memory of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva and his contribution towards the spiritual and cultural upliftment of Assam and its people. The institution attempts to preserve, restore, and promote the rich cultural heritage of the diverse ethnic communities inhabiting Assam. It is governed by a group of executives, selected by the Assam Government's Cultural Department and is headed by a Director of the Assam Civil Service or Indian Administrative Service cadre.

The Kalakshetra is divided into several complexes which include a cultural museum, a library and a children's .....

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Wildlife

#6 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 6 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden is a zoological park located in Guwahati, Assam. Popularly called as Guwahati Zoo, it is the largest zoo in the North East region and among the prime Guwahati Tourist Places.

The Assam State Zoo was established in the year 1957 and was open to public in the year 1958. Spreads over an area of 175 hectare, the zoo is located within the Hengrabari Reserved Forest area of Guwahati. Initially, it had 42 animals and 236 birds. Now, the zoo is home to about 895 animals, birds and reptiles representing almost 113 species of animals and birds from around the world. The Zoo has launched the scheme of animal adoption in the year 2005. Often referred as 'Green Lung', it hosts several awareness activities and is involved in animal welfare and education.

The Zoo is also home to several endangered and rare animal and bird species. The major exhibits of this zoo are one horned Indian rhinoceros, tiger, .....

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Museum

#7 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 1 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Assam State Museum is a museum located at the southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank in Guwahati, Assam. Also known as Assam Rajyik State Museum, it is one of the popular museums of North East India and among the best places to visit in Guwahati.

The Museum was established as a non-government body by the Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiti (Assam Research Society) in 1940. The museum was developed under the presidency of Kanklal Baruah and it was taken over by State Government soon after his death in the year 1953. The museum offers an insight into the rich culture and heritage of North East India. The Assam State Museum has a huge collection of antiques dating back to the prehistoric times.

The museum features several sections such as Epigraphy, Sculptures, Miscellaneous, Natural History, Crafts, Anthropology & Folk Art & Arms section. The Manuscript section displays the ancient manuscripts such as Assamese, Tai, and Myanmarese. Arms .....

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Backwaters

#8 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 2 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Brahmaputra River Cruise is a cruise ride in the mighty Brahmaputra River at Guwahati, Assam. It is one of the main attractions and among the popular things to do in Guwahati.

One of the world's greatest rivers, the Brahmaputra River runs for 1800 miles from its source in the Tibetan Himalayas to the delta in the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the navigable rivers which support cruises. The mighty Brahmaputra is the lifeline of Guwahati which divides the city into two halves. But the most appealing part of Brahmaputra, for tourists and locals alike, is the surreal boat cruises on its resplendent waters.

There are different types of short cruise rounds that you would love to go for like Lunch Cruise, Sunset Cruise, Dinner Cruise, Candlelight Cruise etc. This one hour long cruise is a miniature cruise and great experience with cool breeze on the deck, live music, nice food, serene views and a brief narration on the history and .....

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Pilgrimage

#9 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 9 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Mandir is a beautiful Hindu Temple situated at Ahom Gaon area of Guwahati in Assam. It is one of the popular temples in Guwahati.

Dedicated Lord Venkateswara, Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Mandir was built in the year 1998. Sprawling over 2 acres, the temple is considered as the replica of the original Tirupati Balaji Temple. This white colored temple is built in the similar architectural style of the South Indian temples. The temple has a Rajagopuram (70 feet in height), a Maha Mandapam, an Ardha Mandapam, and the Sanctorum.

There is a Ganesha Temple at the entrance of the complex. The main temple is the home of Lord Balaji. The deity inside the sanctum sanctorum is carved out of a single stone that weighs more than 4 tonnes. Besides, there are also the temples of Goddess Padmavati and Garuda- the vahana of Lord Balaji inside the premises. A recent addition to the temple complex is the Yagasala that .....

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Backwaters

#10 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 1 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Dighalipukhuri is a man-made lake situated at the heart of Guwahati city in the North East Indian state of Assam. Situated near Assam State Museum, it is one among the prominent places to visit in Guwahati.

The lake is rectangular in shape and the length of the lake is said to be about half a mile long. The name Dighalipukhuri is derived from two Assamese words, Dighol meaning long and Pukhuri meaning lake. According to legend, the lake was created by the King Bhagadatta of Pragjyotispura by digging a canal from the Brahmaputra River. Later, it is used as a navel yard by Ahom rulers. Its access to the Brahmaputra was eventually closed, and during colonial times, that portion was further filled on which the Circuit House and Gauhati High Court were built.

Dighalipukhuri Lake is emerging as a popular tourist destination as it is offering recreational activities like boat rowing championships and boat rides. Adjacent to the .....

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Wildlife

#11 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 18 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Deepor Beel is a fresh water lake situated to the south-west of Guwahati city in Assam state. Also spelt as Dipor Bil, it is considered as one of the largest lakes in the Brahmaputra valley of Western Assam and among the picturesque places to visit in Guwahati.

Deepor Beel or Dipor Bil is a permanent freshwater lake, which is the erstwhile water channel of River Brahmaputra. Dipor Bil has a total area of 40 Sq. Km of which 4.14 Sq. Km declared as a Bird Sanctuary by Assam Government in 1989. In November 2002, it was listed as a Ramsar site due to its rich wetland biodiversity. Again, considering the varieties of bird species found in the beel, Birdlife International has also declared Dipor Bil as an Important Bird Area (IBA). It is claimed that Beel was an important dockyard of the TaiAhom as well as the Mughals.

In Assamese language, Beel means a huge lake and it is known to be one of the largest Beels in the Brahmaputra .....

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Shopping

#12 of 27 Places to Visit in Guwahati

At a distance of 1 km from Guwahati Railway Station, Fancy Bazaar is a bustling market situated in the heart of Guwahati city. It is one of the oldest markets in Guwahati and among the most happening places in Guwahati.

Popularly known as Phaasi Bazaar by the locals, Fancy Bazaar is a true shopping paradise for the city dwellers and is a hub for a wide assortment of wholesale products. One can get all kinds of stuff here from branded clothes to shoes, cosmetics to bicycles, ribbons to safety pins and the latest in electronic items like mobiles, watches and laptops. Also, one can shop genuine Assamese silk sarees from Government approved retail outlets. In spite of the emerging mall culture in the city, this market hasn't lost its sheen and continues to cater to the shopping needs of Guwahati people. It is very crowded during the evenings especially on Fridays & Saturdays.

The Masjid Lane area of Fancy Bazaar is famous for the gadgets and gizmos. For all the techno freaks, .....

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