Guwahati
The Vibrant Culture, Diverse Wildlife, And Thriving Commerce Of The City
Guwahati, the primary gateway to the North East region, is a hub for culture, politics, education, transportation, and commerce located in the northeast Indian state of Assam.
The city is also known as the “City of Temples”, situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. Guwahati is renowned for its traditions, wildlife sanctuaries, and educational institutions. The city is also home to numerous captivating tourist spots which attract people from all over the world.
Guwahati, or Gauhati, located in the northeast Indian state of Assam, serves as the primary gateway to the North East region. It is a significant hub for culture, politics, education, transportation, and commerce. The city is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra River amidst the beautiful hills of the eastern Himalayan mountain range.
While the local language is Assamese, other languages are also widely spoken in Guwahati. The city is renowned for its rich culture, traditions, cuisine, people, museums, and wildlife sanctuaries, as well as it is also known as the "City of Temples" due to its many temples.
Assam is the world's second-largest commercial tea producer after China, where Guwahati being a crucial tea trading centre.
Guwahati is a significant commercial and educational centre, with renowned institutions such as the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIT) Guwahati and Gauhati University.
The city boasts excellent transportation infrastructure, with well-connected roadways, railways, waterways, and airways. The name "Guwahati" derives from two Assamese words: "guwa," meaning betel nut, and "hati," meaning market.
Historically, Guwahati was under Burmese rule, but after the British rule, it became a part of India following the war. Today, Guwahati is one of India's fastest-growing cosmopolitan cities.
Guwahati is home to numerous captivating tourist spots that entice people from all over the world. Some of the well-known tourist destinations in Guwahati are:
The Kamakhya Temple, located on the Nilachal Hills in Guwahati, Assam, is a renowned Hindu temple and the largest among the Shakti Peethas (holy shrines) in India.
According to legend, the temple is the place where the reproductive organ of Goddess Sati fell during Lord Shiva's destructive dance. The temple is a significant pilgrimage centre for Tantric worshippers and devotees of Shaktism.
The temple's architecture is a combination of Hindu and Islamic styles, featuring a dome-shaped structure made of copper plates in the upper part and a central section adorned with sculpted panels and images of deities.
The temple is famous for the four-day Ambubachi Mela festival, celebrated annually during the monsoon season. During this time, the temple is closed for three days and reopens on the fourth day. It is believed that during this period, the goddess undergoes her yearly menstruation cycle.
Apart from its religious importance, the Kamakhya Temple is also a cultural and architectural masterpiece that draws tourists from around the world.
Kaziranga National Park, situated at the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots in the Golaghat and Nagaoon districts, is a renowned wildlife destination in India, primarily known for being the habitat of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
The park features elephant-grass grasslands, marshy lagoons, and dense forests and is home to various mammal species, such as elephants, tigers, water buffalo, and swamp deer, alongside numerous bird species.
It was founded in 1905 on Mary Curzon's recommendation and later became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. The park is divided into four zones, and visitors can enjoy a guided jeep safari or elephant ride. Apart from its significance as a wildlife sanctuary, Kaziranga National Park is also culturally and historically significant, making it a must-visit destination.
Fancy Bazaar, situated in the heart of Guwahati city, is a significant commercial hub and shopping centre renowned for its affordable clothing, footwear, handicrafts, electronics, and other items.
The market also offers a variety of street food, including momos and jhal muri, making it a popular destination for visitors. Its name, coined during the British era, reflects its reputation for selling fashionable and fancy goods.
With its narrow lanes and lively atmosphere, Fancy Bazaar is among the oldest and busiest markets in the city, serving as a hub for local traders and tourists alike. It is considered one of the prime commercial hubs in the entire North East region.
The Guwahati Zoo, also known as the Assam Zoo cum Botanical Garden, is the most extensive zoo in the North East region, covering a vast area in the Hengrabari Reserved Forest in Guwahati.
Its impressive collection of plants, animals, birds, and reptiles from around the world has earned it a reputation as a leading wildlife destination.
Visitors can view a variety of creatures, including the one-horned Indian rhinoceros, tigers, leopard cats, and brow-antlered deer, among others. Additionally, the botanical garden boasts an extensive collection of native and exotic species, such as orchids, bamboo groves, and medicinal plants.
Originally established in 1959 as the Assam State Zoo, the botanical garden was added in 1982, giving rise to the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden.
The park is committed to promoting biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and research, making it a must-visit spot for wildlife enthusiasts.
Sri Sri Rukmini Krishna Temple, located on the hilltop of South Sarania in Ulubari, is an ISKCON temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Rukmini. The temple was established by Sri Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada and is one of the most renowned ISKCON temples in Guwahati.
The idols of Lord Krishna and Rukmini, along with other Vaishnava figures, are beautifully adorned in the temple. People of all castes and religions are welcome to visit the temple, participate in spiritual activities, and seek solace in the serene and peaceful environment.
Daily aarti, chanting, bhajans, and Bhagavad Gita discourses are among the many spiritual activities offered to devotees.
Additionally, the temple hosts various festivals and events each year, including Janmashtami, Jagannath Rath Yatra, and Holi, which attract numerous visitors from around the world. For those seeking a deeper understanding of Vedic philosophy and spiritual refuge, ISKCON Guwahati is an ideal destination.
Guwahati, located in the North East region of India, serves as the primary gateway to the area and boasts a range of important sectors such as culture, politics, education, transport, and commerce.
It is renowned for its abundance of temples, earning the nickname "City of Temples," and is also celebrated for its diverse culture, traditions, cuisines, people, museums, and wildlife sanctuaries.
Guwahati presents a variety of alluring tourist attractions, including the Kamakhya Temple, Kaziranga National Park, Fancy Bazaar, Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, and ISKCON Guwahati.
As well as one of India's fastest-growing cosmopolitan cities, Guwahati continues to attract visitors from around the world, thanks to its rich history and diverse offerings.
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