Guwahati
Considered as the gateway to the North-East region (NER) of India, Guwahati, situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River is a major city of North Eastern India .Formerly known as Pragjyotishpur or the City of Eastern Light, it was the capital of the Hindu kingdom of Kamarupa. The name Guwahati originates from two Assamese words “guwa” meaning areca nut and “haat” meaning market. Dispur, the capital of the Indian state of Assam is situated within this city. One of the fastest growing cities in India, Guwahati is the largest commercial, industrial and educational centre of the region. The city is split into two by the mighty Brahmaputra River.
Guwahati is famous for the Kamakhya temple, built in the tenth century by the Koch king, Naranarayan. Situated atop the Nilachal Hill, this temple is considered to be the most sacred among the Tantrik shrines of Shakti worship in the world and is an inevitable component of your travel plan. Animal sacrifice to appease the goddess is a common practice here. Higher up on the hill, there is another temple, Bhubaneshwari, from where one can have a panoramic view of the city
Navagraha temple or the temple of nine planets is located on Chitrachal Hill to the east of the city. Umananda temple, dedicated to Shiva stands on a small island named Peacock in the Brahmaputra River and is one of the most beautiful temples in Assam. Janardhan temple, Hayagriva Madhava temple and Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji temple are some of the other temples visited by the faithful. The Vashistha Ashram said to have been the abode of sage Vashistha is about 12 kms from Guwahati.
Poa Mecca is the holy shrine of the Muslims situated near the Hayagriva Madhava temple at Hajo
Besides these religious places of worship, Guwahati has many museums and parks which bring many visitors to the state. The State Museum, the Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum, and Cottage Industries Museum – are treasure houses of Assam’s rich cultural past.
Sualkuchi which is 32 km away from Guwahati on the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra is a famous silk–weaving centre. Referred to often as the ‘Manchester of the East’, it is one of world’s largest weaving villages. Sualkuchi is renowned for ‘muga’ silk, the natural golden silk of Assam.
Guwahati planetarium is one of the finest in the country. Guwahati has several attractive destinations; the majority of these are National Parks, wild life and bird sanctuaries. Guwahati Zoo is the largest natural zoo in the country.
Deeporbeel Bird sanctuary situated 18 kms from the city is an extensive wetland which is home to more than 150 species of birds. It is a delight to nature lovers and ornithologists.
A World Heritage site, Manas National Park, one of India’s most beautiful sanctuaries, is the only wild life reserve under Project Tiger. It lies in the Himalayan foothills south east of the river Manas. Pabitora is a small wild life sanctuary with rhinoceros and deer. 200 kms north east of Guwahati is Kasiranga wild life reserve, famous for the Indian one-horned rhino. The sanctuary also has wild buffalo, deer, elephant, tiger, bear and a wide variety of water birds. Guwahati is an Indian city with a beautiful natural landscape.
Guwahati is famous for the Kamakhya temple, built in the tenth century by the Koch king, Naranarayan. Situated atop the Nilachal Hill, this temple is considered to be the most sacred among the Tantrik shrines of Shakti worship in the world and is an inevitable component of your travel plan. Animal sacrifice to appease the goddess is a common practice here. Higher up on the hill, there is another temple, Bhubaneshwari, from where one can have a panoramic view of the city
Navagraha temple or the temple of nine planets is located on Chitrachal Hill to the east of the city. Umananda temple, dedicated to Shiva stands on a small island named Peacock in the Brahmaputra River and is one of the most beautiful temples in Assam. Janardhan temple, Hayagriva Madhava temple and Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji temple are some of the other temples visited by the faithful. The Vashistha Ashram said to have been the abode of sage Vashistha is about 12 kms from Guwahati.
Poa Mecca is the holy shrine of the Muslims situated near the Hayagriva Madhava temple at Hajo
Besides these religious places of worship, Guwahati has many museums and parks which bring many visitors to the state. The State Museum, the Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum, and Cottage Industries Museum – are treasure houses of Assam’s rich cultural past.
Sualkuchi which is 32 km away from Guwahati on the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra is a famous silk–weaving centre. Referred to often as the ‘Manchester of the East’, it is one of world’s largest weaving villages. Sualkuchi is renowned for ‘muga’ silk, the natural golden silk of Assam.
Guwahati planetarium is one of the finest in the country. Guwahati has several attractive destinations; the majority of these are National Parks, wild life and bird sanctuaries. Guwahati Zoo is the largest natural zoo in the country.
Deeporbeel Bird sanctuary situated 18 kms from the city is an extensive wetland which is home to more than 150 species of birds. It is a delight to nature lovers and ornithologists.
A World Heritage site, Manas National Park, one of India’s most beautiful sanctuaries, is the only wild life reserve under Project Tiger. It lies in the Himalayan foothills south east of the river Manas. Pabitora is a small wild life sanctuary with rhinoceros and deer. 200 kms north east of Guwahati is Kasiranga wild life reserve, famous for the Indian one-horned rhino. The sanctuary also has wild buffalo, deer, elephant, tiger, bear and a wide variety of water birds. Guwahati is an Indian city with a beautiful natural landscape.
