Guwahati, also known as the 'City of Eastern Light', is the largest city, not only in Assam, but also the entire northeast region. What makes Guwahati unique is that, besides being a futuristic city, it is richly endowed with natural beauty and wildlife. It is located on the banks of the Brahmaputra River and has as many as three wildlife sanctuaries. Animals such as Asian elephants, pythons and tigers can be spotted roaming freely in their natural habitat here.
Tourist Places in Guwahati
As Guwahati is well connected to the rest of the country, tourists pour in here all through the year, year after year. Here are some of Guwahati's popular tourist destinations:
Bhubaneswari Temple
Category : Religious
Dedicated to Goddess Bhubaneswari, this temple is set on a hill in comely surroundings and provides a beautiful views of the city of Guwahati. The view of the sun setting over the Brahmaputra is another reason why many tourists visit this temple.
Kaziranga National Park
Category : Wild Life
Located 200 km from Guwahati, the Kaziranga National Park is one of the main attractions in the state of Assam. Spread over an area of 45 sq km, this national park is known for being home to the one horned rhino. Apart from that, this national park is also the natural habitat of the Pond Heron, Fishing Eagles and Shallow Water Fowls, among others.
Saraighat Bridge
Category: History & Architecture
The beautiful Saraighat Bridge connects the Northeast with the rest of India. It is the first rail-cum-road bridge over the Brahmaputra River. It became operative in 1962. Saraighat is also historically significant as it is the site where the legendary battle between Mughals and Ahoms took place. The Ahoms, who ruled Assam for about 600 years, emerged victorious in this battle.
Kamakhya Temple
Category: Religious
Situated atop the Nilachal Hil, the Kamakhya temple is one of the oldest and most sacred of the 51 Shakti Pithas revered by Hindus.
ligious village of Hajo is situated about 30 kilometres away from Guwahati on the banks of the Brahmaputra. This ancient pilgrimage centre has a number of temples most famous among which is the Hayagriva Madhava Temple atop the Monikut hill.
Guwahati Planetarium
Category : Fun & Entertainment
The Guwahati Planetarium is an excellent place to visit for children and those interested in science. Apart from the regular sky watching, there are special shows which are projected on an overhead screen in the planetarium.
