Guwahati is the largest city of Assam. In the ancient days name of Guwahati is Pragjyotishpura. Meaning of Pragjyotishpura is City of Eastern Lights. This is the place of several Hindu temples such as Rudreswar, Ugro Tara, Dirgheswari, Doul Govinda, Lankeshwar, Basistha, Sureshwar, Navagraha, Umananda, Kamakhya etc… So this city is also known as City of Temples.
This city is famous for the production of Tea. This is the birth place to Bhupen Hazarika. He was a great musician, singer, film maker, and lyricist. His songs became popular in Bangladesh also. Without seeing Shankardeva Kalashetra tourists will never return from Guwahati. For the shopping lovers best things to buy are Manipuri Jackets, Wooleen shawls, Cane work, bell metal, and handloom items. Main Markets are Fancy Bazaar and Pan Bazaar.
What to see in Guwahati:
Kamakhya Temple: This is one of the 52 shakthi Peethas in the world. It was built by Koch King in 10th century.
Vashistha Ashram: It was the abode of sage Vashistha. Sandhya, Kanta and Lalita are three beautiful streams of the ashram.
Shilpagram: In North East Zone Cultural Centre this is the only crafts village. Cultural events held in this place.
Assam State Museum: Valuable articles of Ashom Dynasty, manuscripts, statues, antiques are preserved in this museum.
Other place to see in Guwahati: Anthropological museum, Forest museum, Guwahati Zoo, Guwahati Planetarum, Cottage industry museum, Forest museum, Guwahati Tea Auction centre, Shankardeva Kalakshetra, Umananda Shiva Temple.
What to see around Guwahati:
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary is famous to see one horned rhinoceros. Area covered by this sanctuary is 38.8 Sq.kms. more than 200 species of birds can be seen here. It is located 50 Kms away from Guwahati.
Guwahati war Cemetery: This is the only cemetery in India. This consists of graves of Japanese soldiers. This is located 7 Kms away from Guwahati.
Sualkuchi: This is the small village famous for silk weaving. It is 32 Kms away from Guwahati. Under the UNDP Project this will soon become rural tourism centre.
Hajo: Hayagriba Madhava Temple is located here. This temple is having giant ancient turtle. Mosque which is located here is known as Pao Mecca. This is 35 Kms away from Guwahati.
Other places to see around Guwahati: Beltola Bazaar, Manas Wild life sanctuary, Cherrapunji, Jorhat, Kaziranga National park.
Getting to Guwahati: From all the major cities namely Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Aizawal, imphal, Delhi, Kolkata etc… bus , railway and airport facilities are available. Name of the airport is Gopinath Bordoloi.
Getting around Guwahati: Buses, autos are available to see the place around Guwahati. Cheapest way is the bus route. If people want to travel in autos they have to ask the fare before hand as meter system will not follow by the drivers.
Best Time to visit Guwahati:
Temperature is moderate throughout the year. Between October to April tourists feel comfortable to see this place.
Where to stay in Guwahati: All types of hotels will be available to the tourists. As per their requirement they can take the hotels. Cost of the mid level hotels is ranging between Rs.1400 to Rs.2200. Minimum cost in the star hotels is Rs.4000. Best hotels in Guwahati are Hotel Ambarish Grand, Hotel Dynasty, Ginger Guwahati, Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok.
Where to eat in Guwahati: Here the food is entirely different from Indian food. Several dhabas are available in the national highway. Famous food in Guwahati is Assamese food. Best restaurants in Guwahati are Naga Kitchen, Mainland China, Delicacy, and Machaan.