Guwahati Tourist Places
Guwahati or Gauhati is a truly fascinating city of Assam. It is situated along Brahmaputra River and with beautiful hills and mountains around it. Guwahati is believed to be the capital Hindu kingdom of Kamarupa in earlier times. Kamarupa used to cover a great area including Brahmaputra Valley, some parts of Bengal, some parts of Bihar, Bhutan and a portion of Bangladesh. Being a home to adventure activities, temples, view points and culture, Guwahati proves to be one of the best travel destinations in East India. With our amazing Guwahati tour packages, travellers can engage in a perfect tour of Guwahati.
Indo-Burmese, Mongolian, Aryan and Indo-Iranian are the most common tribes with sweet and generous behavior. Assamese or Asomiya is the most popularly spoken language in Guwahati. Hindi and English are also spoken by a small group of natives. Other commonly spoken languages are Bodho, Raabha, Kaarbi, Dimaaca, Meeshing, etc. which are the regional languages of Guwahati. Guwahati has a diverse range of religions from Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity to Islaam but the majority of the population of Guwahati are Hindus.
Locals generally prefer eating rice with fish curry but the use of spices is minimal. Apart from Bihu, Ambubachi Mela, Debaddhani Festival, Rangoli Utsav and Brahmaputra Beach Festival are the most commonly celebrated festivals.
Paltan Market, Fancy Market, GNB Road, Vishal Megaa mart, the Cube Mall, Kolkata Market, Salasaar Hub are the most famous shopping spots for shopoholics. The most famous things to buy from Guwahati are the different varieties of resham like Patt, Mooga and Endie. Also, popular mementos made from baans or bamboo and cane, ethnic artefacts, toys made up of clay, Manipuri quilt, brass utensils souvenir etc are also available. Government emporiums in Guwahati have handloom products that have comparatively very reasonable price. Travellers can also check our Enthralling Assam Meghalaya Tour
Guwahati mostly has a pleasant weather approximately from October to April, then rainy from May to August and moderately hot in September.
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Places to Visit In Guwahati
1. Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is heaven for wildlife lovers in Assam. It is located on the Brahmaputra river banks. This huge national park is covers an area of about 430 sq.kms and is even more delightful with tall elephant grass, marshland, ponds with tropical forests. Kaziranga is a home to diverse wildlife such as bears, Chital, Gibbons, Tigers, Panthers etc. Indian One-horned Rhino is the show stopper of this park. The perfect time to visit this national park is between December to April.
2. Assam State Zoo
Situated approximately at a distance of 5km from the railway station, Assam state zoo is one of the most popular tourist spots in Guwahati. This zoo covers area of about 130 hectares including a botanical garden. Zoo along with botanical garden is a cherry on the cake and that is what attracts tourists the most. In 1982, the botanical garden was created and has a surprising collection of more than 44 types of Orchids. The divisional forest officer controls and manages the zoo completely and is maintained well too. There are more 30 types of animals, 358 reptiles and 277 sorts of birds. That’s one of the biggest reason that this botanical garden and zoo is so famous among the tourists.
3. Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary
Known for its gigantic and enormous range of wildlife, Pobitora Wildlife sanctuary is really famous among tourists as well as natives. It is present in the Morigaon area of Assam. This wildlife is spreaded across an area of about 38.8 sq.kms and is only at a distance of 50 kms away from Guwahati. Just like Kaziranga, Indian one-horned Rhinoceros makes it a tourist attraction, which are present here in an enormous amount. There’s also a wide range of birds of different species. So, this sanctuary is a temple for those who love wildlife and bird watching.
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4. Umananda Temple
Umananda Temple is located at the Bhasmacala Hills on the Peacock Island. Here,vLord Shiva is worshipped. Built by King Gadadhar Singh in 1649 AD, this temple is a major attraction for tourists because of its Assamese theme based decoration and interiors which shows the efforts of the workers. Huge images are carved on the rocks which are of Gods like Lord Shiva, Lord Surya, Lord Ganesha and several forms of Lord Vishnu.
5. Assam State Museum
Assam state Museum is one of the most popular tourist places in Guwahati. The museum gets tons of tourists attractions because of the antique and historic artefacts from which the famous one’s are the metal, wooden carving work, ivory paintings, costumes, ancient sculptures, coins of Assam, tribal arts etc. This museum was inaugurated in 1940 and became more and more popular ever since. This antique museum probably best way to get to know about Assam and its history.
6. Navgrah Temple
Situated on the Chitrasal Hill, this temple is a fascinating place to visit in Assam. Only at a distance of three kilometres from Guwahati Railway Station, Navagrahaa temple is to worship 9 planets and stars which are Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupitar, Shookra, Shanee, Raahu and Ketoo. At this temple, these planets are created in the form of nine Lingaas present all in different shades. It was constructed in the eighteenth century and is also one of the most vintage and auspicious temples in Assam by the King of that era, Raajeshwar Singh.
Every year in February, a yagya is held and people from all around the globe join together for this. It is said that vidhi performed in this temple reaches directly to the nine celestial bodies.
The temple is also used for astrology and astronomy research.
7. Janardana Temple
Just like most of the temples in Guwahati, Janardana Temple is also situated on a hill. This holy temple is present on top of the Shukleshwar hill, near the Shukhleshwar Ghat of Brahmaputra River. In this magnificent Temple, Lord Buddha devotees come along with the tourists and you can see an auspicious statue of the same. This temple shows the interaction of Hindu and Buddhist architecture along with Hinduism and Buddhism. This temple is a picture perfect place for vloggers.A myth about Janardana Temple is that Lord Buddha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is also known as Lord Janardana. As per story, Lord Janandana once defeated a powerful demon Raja Bali disguised as a Vamana to protect the human race from Rakshas. The place hence, came to be known as Janardana Tirtha and a temple was built around it later on which is known as Janardana Temple.
8. Guwahati Planetarium
Whether a science geek or not, one should definitely visit Guwahati Planetarium when travelling across Assam as it is one of the best attractions in Guwahati. This mesmerizing planetarium is located at the MG Road and is at a walking distance from the Guwahati High Court. In this planetarium, shows of planetary movements are organized on daily basis and also other information regarding astronomy is provided. These events are quite interesting and quite fun too. From kiddos to matures, everyone can enjoy these compelling shows. Also, apart from infotainment, this planetarium offer great courses for astronomical students and people who are interested in astronomy.
9. Regional Science Center
One of the most popular museums of Assam is the Regional Science Center and was established in 1994 and their motto is “imparting scientific knowledge to the children and people of all the age-groups too” This interesting museum is located in Khanapara of the Kamrup district of the Assam. In this museum, visitors find it fun and attractive scientific models, dummy of coal mines, funny mirror, cliff lift, magic tap, etc. Therefore, these displays very interesting yet engaging.
10. Deepor Beel
A fascinating River An huge freshwater lake called Deepor Beel is located in the Brahmaputra’s Channel. This enormous lake is not just a tourist attraction, but it also provides a haven for many migratory species. This lake is well-known throughout the world due to its captivating setting and lovely flora and wildlife. Additionally, Deepor Beel serves as Guwahati’s primary water supply, and it is the lake’s water that makes it feasible to cultivate the area around it. With the use of boats, you may also travel the entire length of the city by using this lake. Therefore, this lake one of the top tourist destinations in Guwahati.
11. Chandubi Lake
64 kilometers away from Guwahati is a beautiful natural lagoon, commonly known as “Chandubi Lake”. This stunning lake is the result of an earthquake and is the only God-given lagoon in Assam in the form of a beautiful lake. The plants and around this lake are really pleasing and it is famous all around the world for its nature friendly environment. Chandubi also allows tourists to fish for recreation. Ornithology is one of the most popular family activities at Chandubhi Lake. Therefore, visitors are advised to bring binoculars and a camera to enjoy the beautiful lake.
12. Shrimanta Sankaradeva Kalashetra
As one may have guessed, this institution promotes Assamese art, music, dance and drama. This famous institute is at the Shillong road and was built in nineteen ninety eight. The name of this institution is in the honor of the great poet of 90s, Sankaradeva. Sankaradeva was a good poet, scholar, saint, preacher and a great social reformer. This Kalashetra offers a lot to its visitors from which, some of the best are art gallery, museum, Vaishanavite temple and an open theatre. Also, visitors are mesmerized to see the man-made village created within the premises of Kalashetra.
13. Pandu
There’s a small town named Pandu, after the King Pandu (from Mahabharat) which is located in Guwahati, Assam. The tourist attraction of this town is Pandunath temple which is on the hill known as Tila. It is said that during the vanvaas of the Pandavas, they stayed in this very temple in disguise so that no one recognizes them. One can see the pictures five Pandavas dressed up as Lord Ganesha. Apart from the ancient history, tourists can also enjoy the breathtaking views from the hill.
14. Saraighat Bridge
Built over Brahmaputra River in the Guwahati, a city in Assam. It is one of the classic places in Guwahati and among the perfect tourist spots to visit in Guwahati.
Saraighat Bridge is the first road slash railway bridge formed over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati. It links the north east to the rest of the nation. It was built for the North Frontier Railway. The construction credit goes to B.C. Ganguly. The construction started in 1958 and was inaugurated in 1962 by Jawaharlal Nehru, who was the prime minister of India back then. It was built right after the Indo-Chinese war and has completed 61 years already. The combat of the Mugals and the Aahoms happened here, which increases the value of its history.Brahmaputra river from the Saraighat Bridge looks amazing. The joy of being in the middle of the bridge and looking at the Brahmaputra River all around you is just inexplicable. The sunrise and sunset from this bridge looks beautiful. The bridge appears to even more delightful at night when all the lights are lit up and the place get an aesthetic look.
15. Brahmaputra River Cruise
Situated two km way from Guwahati Railway Station, Brahmaputra River Cruise is a cruise tour in the Bhrahmaputra River at Guwahati, in Assam. It is one of the major tourist attractions and comes in the list of popular things to do in Guwahati.
One of the mightiest rivers of the world, the Brahmaputra river flows for about eighteen hundred miles from its source in the Himalayas of Tibet to the drift in the Bay of Bengal. It is one of those beautiful rivers which support cruises. It would not be wrong to say that the Brahmaputra river is lifeline of Guwahati which divides it in two parts. But the most attractive part of the Brahmaputra, for tourists and locals is the cruises floating on its tides.
There are variety of cruises available in Guwahati that you can enjoy such as Luncheon Cruise, Dusk Cruise, Feast Cruise, Romantic Cruise etc. It is minute cruise, on which you can enjoy the greatest hour of your life with your family and friends with fresh cool air on the ship, on going music, great food, pretty views and a little knowledge about the ancient times and legends about the Brahmaputra River. Evening Cruise on Brahmaputra is one of the most popular as it comes with the breath taking twilight views. This cruise feels like a cultural ride of Assam as it offers live Assamese music and folk dance along with great food. It is a nice way of spending quality time with friends and family on vacation. The Dinner Cruise, in contrast to other cruises, is for about two hours and includes a introductory drink, side dishes and supper.
16. Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Mandir
Situated a distance of nine kilometres from Guwahati Railway Station, Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Mandir is a fascinating Temple built for Hindu devotees located in the Aahom Gaon area of Guwahati, Assam. One can easily understand why Guwahati is known as the city of temples.
Purva Tirupati Sri Balaji Mandir is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and was built in 1998. This temple covers an area of 2 acres, is considered a copy of the original Tirupati Balaji Temple. This beautiful temple was built in the South Indian temple’s architectural style. The temple features a 70-foot-tall Raajagopuram, a Maha Mandap, an Ardha Mandap, and the Chamber.
At the complex’s entrance, there is a Ganesha Temple. Lord Balaji resides in the main temple. The idol inside the sanctorum is sculptured from a single stone weighing more than 4 tonnes. Inside the premises, there are also temples dedicated to Goddess Padmavati and Garuda, Lord Balaji’s vahana. The Yagasala, a traditional-style structure built to allow devotees to perform Yagnas, is a recent addition to the temple complex.
17. ISKCON Temple
ISKCON Temple is a Hindu temple at the peak of hills of Saraania in Ulubri area, which is at a distance of 3km from Guwahati railway station. It is also known as Sri Rukmini Krishna Temple, it is one of the other popular ISKCON Temples in India and possibly the best places to visit in Assam.
It is a part of the ISKCON society, which was founded by Sri Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada. The temple is in the honor of Lord Krishna and named after Goddess Rukmini, who was Lord Krishna’s wife. The beautifully dressed sculptures and idols of Lord Krishna and Goddess Rukmini are present inside the temple. Devotees of all castes and faiths are welcome to participate in all temple activities, where daily routines at ISKCON temple include arti, singing bhajans, and paath of Bhagavad Gita.
The beautiful white exterior made up of marble distinguishes it as a local landmark. The scenic surroundings and abundance of greenery contribute to its beauty. Inside the temple, there are various halls for preaching the Vaishnavism-based society’s teachings. Personal development and stress management classes are also available. There’s also a tourist souvenir shop where you can buy books and other religious items.
18. Dighalipukhuri Lake
Dighalipukhuri is a man-made lake located in the heart of Guwahati and is 1km from Guwahati Railway Station. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Guwahati and is situated near the Assam State Museum.
The lake Is of box-like shape, and it is approximately 0.5 mile long. Dighalipukhuri is a combination of two Assamese words, Dighol (long) and Pukhuri (lake). According to the legend, King Bhagadata of Pragjyotspura constructed the lake by digging a channel from the Brahmaputra River. Later, Aahom kings used it as a farms. Its access to the Brahmaputra was however terminated and during British times, that part was covered and the Circuit House and Gauhati High Court were constructed on top of it. Dighalipukhuri Lake is becoming a popular tourist attraction due to interesting activities such as boat rowing championships and boat rides. An amusement park adjacent to the lake allows children to play and have a good time. Tourists can spend a relaxing evening away from the stress and tension of city life here, enjoying in the picture perfect beauty of the area.
19. Guwahati War Cemetery
Guwahati War Cemetery is a burial ground present in the Silphukhuri area of Guwahati, Assam. Two and a half kilometres from Guwahati Railway Station. It is one of the must-see attractions in Guwahati and one of the historical sites in Assam, located on Navaghraha Road.
During World War II, the Cemetery was established for burials from the various military hospitals stationed in the area. The Army Graves Service later brought in additional graves. This cemetery now has around 500 Common wealth servicemen from World War II entombed or honored. There are 25 unknown bodies in this graveyard. There are also twenty four Chinese war tomb and two civil graves in the cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with its headquarters in the United Kingdom, looks after the cemetery.
Weather in Guwahati
Guwahati (or Gauhati) has a subtropical climate, with slightly warm, dry cold from Nov to Feb and a lengthy, boiling, rainy weather from April to October. The monsoon stays approximately from Jun to Oct, but mild rain falls in Mar and Apr then the frequency increases in June making the rainy season the longest in Guwahati.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Guwahati
1. What are the best places to visit in Guwahati?
There are various places to visit in Guwahati. Some of the must visit places include:
➠Kamakhya Devi Temple
➠Guwahati Planetarium
➠Umananda Island
➠Assam State Zoo
2. Where are some good places to stay?
You’ll get plenty of good hotels near paltan bazar and GT road. The biggest benefit of getting room here is that these places are near to the city and travelling to other tourist spots from here is easy too.
3. Is VIP pass facility available in the temples of Guwahati?
No, most of the temples do not have any kind of VIP facilities. You should be prepared to get through the rush, if you’re visiting in the peak seasons.
4. Is photography allowed in Guwahati?
Of course photography is allowed in Guwahati just like any other city in India but there are few places where photography is not allowed such as some temples and big stores. Be sure before taking pictures because sometimes if is a punishable crime.
5. Are there any five star hotels?
Yes there are plenty of great hotels and you can pick the perfect hotel for you according to your location preference and budget.
6. Is food for vegetarians good in Guwahati?
Although most popular dish of Guwahati is fish curry with rice, but still there are plenty on restaurants offering great veg food. The taste of North- East dishes might feel different, but they are worth trying. One can enjoy amazing food at budget friendly rates.