Temples & Monuments:

Kamakhaya Temple Located on the top of the Nilachal Hill in the western part of Guwahati, this temple dates back to the 10^th century and was built by a Koch King. It honours the Goddess Shakti, and is famous as not only a place where animals are sacrificed as a part of rituals, but also the as the world center of tantrik worship. Considered a very sacred temple, and one of the spots on which a body part of Sati fell while Shiva danced the tandav with her dead body, it is visited by many devotees from all over the country particularly during the Ambubachi mela.

Just a few kms above in the hills is another temple, Bhubaneshwari, probably a favourite, because of the captivating view it allows, of the city below. Other temples there are the Tara temple, Bagalamukhi and Chinnamasta.

Umananda Temple is located in the middle of the river Bramhmaputra, on an island called Peacock, which is the smallest island in world. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, and it is considered the most beautiful temple in Assam, built during the reign of the Ahom dynasty.

The Navagraha Temple, which means the temple of nine planets, was said to have been a center of astrology and astronomy, built by the King from the Ahom Dynasty.  It is located on the eastern side of Guwahati, on Chitrasal Hill. This temple is dedicated to the nine celestial bodies which are represented by nine Shivalingams within the temple.

12kms from Guwahati is the Vashistha Ashram, where you can visit the enshrined abode of the famous sage Vasishta. The other temples, you can visit are the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lankeshwar and Sukreswar, located atop hills.

Art & Culture:

The Assam State Museum, set up in 1940, is a place to learn about the state's ancient history, through the various archeological and historical artifacts.

The other place worth a visit is the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. Built in the 1990's, it is a reflection of Assam's, and other parts of northeast India's, artistic talent and skills. It houses a number of emporiums, stalls, open air theatres, and places to eat.

You could also check out the Museums of Anthropology, Forestry and Cottage Industries, as well as the planetarium.

Outdoor Venes:

The large natural lake called Deepor Beel, located in the western part of Guwahati, is a haven for bird watcher's and nature lovres, and is said to be the home of some rare species of birds. Some of the artificially created lakes, but as old the Ahom Dynasty, are the lakes of Dighalipukhuri, Silpukhuri, Nakkatapukhuri and Jorphukhuri (meaning twin banks). Dighalipukhuri is said to have been an important center where most ships and boats of war would dock.

Zoological Gardens, is a great place to go with the kids and is India's largest zoo. To get some added knowledge on birds and animals, head to the museum within the compound. 

Shopping:

Handloom and handicrafts rule the markets in Guwahati. Delicately woven red and white saris, colorful mekhlas, shawls, and curios and home accessories made of bamboo, are some of the things you could take back home. The shopping areas to head for are the Pan Bazaar and Fansi Bazaar. For fruits and vegetables head to the historically significant Beltola Bazaar.

If you tire yourself with the shopping head for some of momos and chicken rolls stalls present almost everywhere in the city.

Wildlife Parks:

If you love wildlife, then Kaziranga National Park, 200kms from the city, is a great place to sight the famous one-horned rhino. Acknowledged as a World Heritage Site, you can also see elephants, wild buffaloes, a variety of deer and monkeys, and several rare birds including the Bengal Florican.

Another noteworthy sanctuary to visit is the Manas National Park, also a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. It lies on the foothills of the Himalayas, and is 150kms from Guwahati. It has been named after the river flowing through here, which in turn was named after the serpent goddess Manasa. Tragically due to rampant poaching the rhinos have become extinct here. The tiger population is quite high, however, and you can also see the rare golden langur, hispid hare, red panda, wild buffalo, hog deer and other deer species. It is also an excellent place for bird watching. Another wildlife sanctuary just 60 kms to the east of Guwahati is Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Excursions:

Hayagriba Madhava Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is in Hajo, 25 kms to the west of Guwahati. The temple is a very important place of worship for Hindus and Buddhists. A long stairway takes you to the temple. At the foot of the stairway, you can sight one of the oldest inhabitants of Hajo, a giant turtle in the pond. Hajo is also known to be a sacred place for the Muslims, with a mosque dating back to 1657, located at Puwa Macca.

You can also visit the famous Durga Temple at Madan Kamdev. These spectacular temples with erotic sculptures and carvings are about 50 km northwest of Guwahati city. They date from the Pala dynasty of the 10th to 12th centuries.

Barpeta, is a place known for its monastery dedicated to the enshrined Vaishnavite Saint called Sankardeva, 185 kms away from Guwahati.

If you want to see, and maybe even try your hand at traditional methods of silk weaving, Sualkuchi, a village, 32kms away, is the place to head to.

For some picnicking, visit Chandubi, a natural lake offering a perfect spot for some fishing and boating.  It is at a distance of 64 kms from Guwahati.

Tourism Info:

Directorate of Tourism

Assam Station Road

The Gateway to Northeastern India, Guwahati is Assam's largest commercial and industrial city and an important link for tourists to halt before they head out to the North Eastern states. The original name for Guwahati was Pragjyotishpur meaning the City of Eastern Light, on account of it being an important kingdom during the Mahabharata era. It owes its present name to the Assamese words, guwa meaning areca nut, and haat meaning market.

Archeological excavations at Ambari, trace the city back to the 6^th century, when it was known as Pragjyotishpura and then Durjoya, under different reigning dynasties of Varman and Pala of the Kingdom of Kamarupa. It was also said to be the naval base for the Varman rulers in the 7^th century. With each dynasty the city had a new name but retained its status as a Capital, and did so till the 11^th century. Between the 12^th to the 15^th century, when it came under the Mughal rule, it lost some of its importance and glory. It is said that Assam was attacked 17 times by the Mughals. The most famous battle was the Battle of Saraighat, where the Mughals were actually defeated sometime in the late 16^th century. The city also has an ancient tradition of tantric worship. There are several famous temples that attract pilgrims from all over India both in the city and on its outskirts.

Guwahati is situated on the southern side of the riverbanks of the Brahmaputra, which splits the town into two parts of North and South. Located on the foothills of the Shillong Plateau, at 55 meters above sea level, it is situated strategically at the intersection of three highways.

Today, it is known for its educational institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology and other engineering colleges. It is also a major hub for cultural activities and sports in the region. It also houses the world's largest Tea Auction Center. Economically, it is said to contribute a major share to the economy of Assam, by way of trade and commerce, and transportation.