Guwahati
Situated on the bank of the great river Brahmaputra, this fast growing city
is the gateway to the North Eastern India. Guwahati is well connected by air
and rail with New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. By road Guwahati is
2160kms from Delhi, 3104kms from Mumbai, 2688kms from Chennai. The famous
shakti temple of mother goddess kamakhya is located on the Nilachal Hills,
the ancient shiva temple of Umananda is situated on the Peacock island in
the middle of the river Brahmaputra, the Nabagraha temple (temple of the
nine planets), Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Balaji temple, Science
Museum, Vasisthaashram(founded by famous sage Vasistha admidst idyllic
natural ppanorama), the State Museum, the State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden,
Planetarium, the Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra, the Guwahati oil
refinery, latchit Barphukan park and the Gauhati University are the place
worth visiting in an around the city.
Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple, perched on a hill 8 km (5 miles) north west of the city,
this temple is one of India's most important pilgrimage destinations. The
present structure with its typically Assamese beehive-shaped Shikhara dates
back to 17th century after the original temple was destroyed by Muslim
invaders. According to legend, as a grieving Shiva carried the corpse of his
wife Sati (also known as Parvati) around the skies and part of her body fell
to the earth. All these sites have been sanctified by major temples.
Kamakhya is believed to mark the place where her vagina fell and is
therefore said to have special powers associated with energy and creation.
In accordance with tantric rituals, a goat is sanctified here every day. The
giant turtles in the temple ponds look forward to being fed by visitors. The
annual Ambubachi festival and fair marks the end of the earth's menstrual
cycle and pilgrims from all over India congregate here to be blessed by the
goddess.
This is one of the important sacred places of pilgrimage of the Hindus in
India. Situated Atop Nilachal hill on the bank of the Brahmaputra river at a
distance of 8 kms from the city, Kamakhya is an ancient centre of the Shakti
and Tantric cults of Hinduism. Mother Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped by
sacrificing domestic animals. At the highest peak of the hill is the
Bhuwaneshwari temple. In the month of June, on the occasion of the Ambubachi
mela, thousands of devotees from all over the country gather here to
celebrate the ritual.
Museum
Assam State Museum is 10 minutes walk from the Railway Station, Opening
hours: 10.00 to 17.00hrs. during summer and 10.00 to 16.30hrs during winter
(Monday closed).
Vasisthashram
Hermitage of sage Vasistha and also an ideal picnic spot. Twelve kms. from
Railway Station. City buses ply regularly.
Nabagraha Temple :
Three kms from Railway station. A temple of nine planets believed to be the
ancient seat of study of astronomy. It can be easily reached by taxi or auto
richshaw.
Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra
Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra has been set up as a grand exposition of
the life and culture of the people of Assam. Named after the greatest
Vaishanava saint and the greatest integrator of the Assamese society
Srimanta Sankardeva, the Kalakshetra is a multi-arts complex. It is chosenm
as the venue for many cultural activities.
Umananda Temple
A Shiva temple on an island in the midst of the river Brahmputra. One can
visit the temple by crossing the river by country boat plying from Kachari
ghat.
Madan
Kamdev
Barely 40kms, away from the sprawling city of Guwahati, on N.H. 52 Madan
Kamdev is an enigma, a mystery, a marvel and in the worlds of Omar Khayam, "a
veil past which I could not see". Very little is known about the origin
of this magnificent archaeological ruins. Written history is almost silent
on it, leaving wide room for conjectures and hypothesis about its origin.
Kamrupa - the ancient name of the assam, is believed to have derived from
the legend that God of love Kama or Madan, after being turned into ashes by
an angry "Shiva", was reborn here. One school believes that Madan
was reborn and united to Rati on this tiny hillock.
How to get there :
Baihata Chariali, 35kms, from Guwahati, is on the National Highway 52,
Madan Kamdeva is 5kms to the South East of Baihata Chariali. Being on the
National Highway, Baihata-Chariali is well connected with buses which ply
every 15 minutes from Guwahati. Taxis, Minibuses are also available.
Transport at moderate rates can be hired from the travel agencies at
Guwahati.
Where to stay :
There is no hotel, restaurant or other places of accommodation at madan
Kamdev due to its proximity to Guwahati. A visitor can spend a day and
return to Guwahati the same day.
Season: From October to May
What to wear: Cotton in Summer and light Woolen in winter.
Sualkuchi
Famous
for Assam's silk industries (Muga & Pat) 32kms from Guwahati on the
North Bank of Brahmaputra. Buses ply regularly from Adabari and Kachari.
Hajo
A place where three religions Hinduism, Islam & Buddhism meet. 32kms
away from Guwahati on the North bank of the Brahmaputra. It has a number of
temples, the chief among them being the temple of Hayagrib Madhab. There is
a belief that htis temple contains the relic of Lord Buddha. A section of
the Buddhist hold that Lord Buddha attained nirvana here. Large number of
Bhutias visit this temple every year during the Winter season. There is
believed also a mosque built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia and it is also said it
has one fourth sanctity of Mecca and so is known as Poa Mecca.
Majuli
The biggest riverine island in the world. Majuli is famous for its Satras or
Vaishnava monasteries which are the centre of learning, art and culture. The
nearest ferry ghat Nimatighat is only few km from Jorhat town. It is also
famous for migratory birds and Mishing culture. Tourists intending to visit
Majuli can stay in the Tourist lodge, Jorhat or in the Govt. Circuit House
at Majuli.
Sivasagar:
Sivasagar is 369km towars east of Guwahati and a district headquarter of
the same name. It is also leading tea and oil producing district. The
Eastern Regional Headquarter of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission is
located at Nazira 18kms from Sivasagar.
Sivasagar was the capital of the migthy Ahoms who ruled Assam at a stretch
for six hundred years before the advent of the British. It is a beautiful
town located around the huge Sivasagar tank, an artificial lake constructed
by queen Madambika in 1734 A.D. The Shiva dol or Shiva temple on the bank of
this tank is believed to be the highest Shiva temple in India.
How to reach : Jorhat is the nearest
airport (60kms) and Simulguri is the nearest railway station 920kms). Buses
are available from Guwahati and other towns.
Where to stay : Tourist Lodge, Dak
Bugalow, Govt. Circuit House, Hotel Siddhartha, Hotel Brahmaputra, ONGC
Guest House and others.
What to see; The ancient temples and monuments to be seen at Sivasagar are
Kareng Ghar and Talatal Ghar, Ranghar, Gargaon Palace, Joysagar Tank and
Temple, Namdang Stone Bridge, Charaideo Maidam, Ajan Pir Dargah.
Tezpur
By its unique location and picturesque setting on the north bank of the
majestic river Brahmaputra, Tezpur can be considered as one of the most
beautiful town of the state. Tezpur can also be remembered for the legend of
princess Usha, the daughter of King Bana and for prince Aniruddha, the
grandsons of Lord Krishna for their eternal love and romance. It is 181kms
from Guwahati Buses ply regularly from Guwahati & other towns of the
state, the nearest railhead is Rangapara and airport is Salonibari.
Bhalukpung : Situated on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam,
Bhalukpung is known for its unique natural beauty and rafting. Far from the
madding crowd. Bhalukpung is a place of peace and tranquility. It is only
56kms. from Tezpur town. Mini buses ply regularly to Bhalumlung from Tezpur.
It is the entry point to Bomdila and Tawang. For Comfortable stay there are
two Tourist Lodges run by Assam Tourism. There is also a Eco-Camp at
Potasali near Bhalukpung
