Guwahati located on the banks of Brahmaputra is one of the most important cities in Assam for its beauty and significance. It is a growing metro city in the Northeast and has a great variety of delicious food that dominates Assamese cuisine. You can go on scenic boat rides in the beautiful river and have a wonderful time sipping the fresh tea made from tea leaves that are homegrown in the state. It is often called the Gateway of the Northeast and hosts diversity in ethnicity and culture.
Kamakhya Temple-
This is one of the Sakthi Pitha dedicated to Goddess Shakti, in her embodiment as the source of creation and feminine energy. It is considered a sacred place of pilgrimage and tantric worship is famed to be practiced here. Other forms of the goddess such as Durga are also present here. Situated on the Nilachal hill, you can see the waves of Brahmaputra from the temple itself. Apart from Navratri, the famous Ambubachi Mela is also celebrated here as a festival of fertility.
Saraighat Bridge-
To overcome the challenges posed by transportation due to the river Brahmaputra, this bridge is a railway and road bridge that was built in 1958- 62 and was inaugurated by then Prime Minister Nehru. It is supported by piers and is an engineering marvel which is about 1.4 km in length. Its name has historical reference and denotes the Battle of Saraighat which was fought between the Ahom Kingdom, led by Lachit Borphukan, and the Mughal Empire. The new Saraighat bridge is however a road-only bridge.
Nameri National Park-
This region has a huge reserve of species that have been endangered. The Himalayan black bear, the white-winged wood duck, the clouded leopard, the Indian leopard, the dhole, and the Asian elephant are among the most well-known. It is very close to the Jia Bharoli River, which gives opportunities for ecotourism activities there, such as safaris, hikes, nature walks, and even rafting. The Eastern Himalayan Elephant Project includes it, and because Kaziranga is nearby, you might even spot a sizable population of one-horned rhinos.
Assam State Museum-
Located in the heart of the city is the museum that was founded in 1940 during the period of colonial rule and undivided Assam. It has different sections related to archaeology, ethnology, natural history, art, and epigraphy. You can see models of terracotta, inscriptions, coins, and pottery across the timeline that were obtained from this region. It also has a collection of art, textile, masks, and paintings from that period. There is a great deal of information on the history through manuscripts and royal lineage that pique the interest of the viewers.
Navagraha Temple-
It is an important site of Hindu pilgrimage, located at the top of Chitrasal Hill. You can see touches of Assamese Architectural style in the temple complex. In astrology, the planetary bodies are said to influence our life, and therefore to mitigate any harmful effect devotees come to seek blessing and offer prayer with coconut and flowers.
Guwahati Planetarium-
Is a great way to spend time as a tourist learning about science and space. It is designed to educate the audience with a realistic replica of the night sky and presented on the dome with a state-of-the-art projector showing the planets and the universe with detailed and interactive explanations of the celestial bodies. There are even workshops and exhibitions that are conducted on a regular basis in the field of astronomy to all those who are curious and want to learn more through participation.
Sri Surya Pahar-
This is an ancient archeological site that is relatively unknown to the general public. The remnants here have greater historical importance as they are from the periods of the 9th to 10th Century CE and have deities belonging to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions. The sculpture here tells stories from mythology and the representation of the Sun God, Shiva, Vishnu, and even Lord Ganesha can be found here.
Umananda island-
Is named after Lord Shiva and is one of the smallest islands in the world located in the middle of the Brahmaputra. You can reach there through a ferry boat. The Umananda temple on the island was built during the 17th century by the Ahom King Gadadhar Singha. If you want some peace and quiet and want to spend some time relaxing and watching peacocks roam about this is the place to go.
