Guwahati City, Assam

Guwahati, the region’s main city, is considered the gateway to northeast India. It is located between the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and the slopes of the Shillong plateau. Dispur, part of Guwahati, is Assam’s capital.

Guwahati contains various old Hindu temples, including the Umananda, Navagraha, and Basistha Temple. Hajo is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists.

Guwahati, the world’s second-largest commercial tea production region after China, is a major tea trading centre. The Guwahati Tea Auction Center (GTAC) is one of the busiest tea trading facilities in the world.

The City is one of the world’s 100 fastest-growing cities, and it ranks fifth among Indian cities. It is a major economic and educational centre in eastern India.The City also has the main campus of the Indian Institute of Technology.

History of Guwahati

Guwahati is mentioned in the ancient Puranas and Epics. According to the Ambari excavations, the city has existed since the sixth century AD. The Varman and Pala dynasties ruled from Guwahati as its capital. Guwahati was Assam’s capital until the Pala dynasty ruled in the 10th and 11th centuries AD.

During the brutal and continual seventeen raids of the Mughals on Assam, The City was under their power for a short length of time. One of the most well-known battles, “The Battle of Saraighat,” occurred in 1671 in Guwahati. The Ahom Army, led by great army officer Lachit Borphukan, successfully repelled the Mughals’ onslaught on the country. It is worth noting that every year on November 24th, Lachit Divas (Lachit Day) is observed throughout the State (Assam), commemorating his dedication as well as the victory of the Ahom Army at the Battle of Saraighat.

Guwahati Culture

Bihu is Assam’s most popular folk dance. During the Bihu festivities, young boys and girls perform dances that depict youthful passion, reproductive drive, and joy. It is distinguished by speedy dance steps and quick hand movements. Dancers dress in traditional colourful Assamese attire.

The residents of Guwahati are also highly enthusiastic about the various festivals and fairs that the city hosts each year. The City is home to individuals from various communities, hence diverse festivals are celebrated with great excitement and delight throughout the year. Bihu is one of the most prominent festivities held in The City.

Bihu is commemorated in three different ways throughout the year: Rongali Bihu, Kati Bihu, and Magh Bihu. Other notable Guwahati festivities include Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja, Vishwakarma Puja, Ambubachi Mela, New Year’s Eve, Brahmaputra Beach Festival, Holi, and Diwali.

Another major cultural characteristic of The City is that the people there enjoy numerous forms of art and culture, which shows the city’s cultural legacy. The handloom, painting forms, handicrafts, traditional art forms, and weaving forms all reflect the city’s rich tradition and culture.

There are numerous art and cultural galleries in The City where artists from around the state and region can showcase their particular talents in a variety of art forms. The Shrimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra is the most important art and craft gallery in The City. The Artists’ Guild is one of The City’s prominent galleries, displaying works by various Assamese artists.

Guwahati food is also an excellent reflection of the city’s culture. The City cuisine is characterized by the use of fewer spices and an abundance of fresh vegetables and fish, with rice serving as the staple diet.

The City is home to some of the finest hotels and restaurants, which are dispersed around the city. These restaurants serve a diverse range of cuisines, including Assamese, Oriental, Indian, Chinese, Continental, and other meals.

Tourism in Guwahati

Guwahati attractions include river boating, animal excursions, cruise sailing, shopping on elegant streets, a picnic and day outing at the State Zoo, and, of course, pilgrimage to the famed Kamakhya temple.

Top Tourist Attractions in Guwahati

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park, a World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO, has an area of 430 square kilometres. It is home to a variety of wild animals, including leopards, tigers, elephants, Asiatic water buffaloes, swamp deer, wild boar, and hog deer, among others. Not to mention Kaziranga is home to the world’s largest population of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros. The park also features a variety of birds, both domestic and migratory.

Assam State Museum

The Assam State Museum is an excellent venue to learn about the state’s history, with rare and distinctive exhibits that highlight the rich historical past and culture. The exhibit includes inscriptions, prehistoric sculptures, clothing, and ivory paintings from Assam’s early people. For culture lovers, this museum is one of the top locations to visit in Guwahati.

Guwahati Planetarium

The Guwahati Planetarium, located on MG Road, is an engaging destination for people of all ages, particularly children. This location offers a learning experience with numerous astronomy activities designed to give guests a peek at what outer space looks like. In addition, unique shows and skywatching sessions are organized.

Nehru Park

Nehru Park, an ideal picnic site in Guwahati, is a beautiful location with a peaceful atmosphere. This park is ideal for family activities due to its abundance of vegetation. There are a variety of swings for children. The park also contains statues depicting various Assamese dance forms, including Deodhani, Bihu, Ojapali, and Bor Taal. The open-air theatre is another popular family-friendly tourist attraction in The City.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, another must-see for wildlife enthusiasts, covers 38 square kilometres. The sanctuary is well-known for its diverse wildlife, particularly the Indian one-horned rhino. Other animals that can be sighted here include leopards, barking deer, and wild buffalo. More than 2000 migrating birds make their temporary home in this nature hotspot.

Kamakhya Temple

Kamkhya Temple, located on Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, is one of India’s 51 Shakti Peethas. A visit to the shrine is thought to shield worshipers from the evil eye. The temple’s presiding deity is Kamkhya Devi, known as the ‘Bleeding Goddess’. According to popular belief, the temple’s main sanctum sanctorum (Garvagriha) contains Goddess Shakti’s fabled vagina and womb.

Navgraha Temple

The Navagraha Temple, located atop Navagraha Hill, dates back to the 18th century and was established by Rajeshwar Singha, the Ahom King. It is dedicated to nine heavenly bodies: the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, North Lunar Node, and South Lunar Node. The Navagraha Temple is one of the top spiritual locations to visit in The City.

Guwahati Zoo

Guwahati Zoo, also known as the Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden, has 432 acres. The zoo is home to around 890 mammals, reptiles, and birds from around the world. Leopard cats, one-horned rhinos, tigers, clouded leopards, golden langurs, Himalayan black bears, elephants, and hoolock gibbons are among the most common wild animals seen here. For those who are passionate about nature and wildlife, this is an excellent spot to visit.

Umananda Temple

Umananda Temple, one of The City’s most respected shrines, is located on Peacock Island. The temple was built by Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique in the 17th century. It is holy to Lord Shiva. Aside from its religious significance, the temple is also renowned for its gorgeous architecture.

Weather and Climate of Guwahati

Guwahati’s average temperature is roughly 23°C, ranging from 16°C in the winter (January) to 28°C during the monsoon (August). The hottest month of the year is August, with temperatures ranging from 24.0°C to 35.3°C. The coolest month of the year is January when temperatures range from 10.4°C to 23.6°C.

Best time to visit Guwahati

The greatest time to visit Guwahati is during the winter season, which begins in November. During this season, the city’s temperature swings between 5 and 23 degrees Celsius. The pleasant weather conditions allow visitors to fully experience the city throughout the winter season.

Population of Guwahati

The current projection for Guwahati City’s population in 2024 is 1,358,000, while the metro population is anticipated at 1,365,000. The current forecasts for the city are based on past growth rates. According to preliminary Census India data, The City had a population of 957,352 in 2011. Although The City has a population of 957,352, the metropolitan population is 962,334.

Guwahati Religion

Hinduism is the majority religion in Guwahati, accounting for 84.74% of the population. Islam is the second most common religion in The City, with roughly 12.45% embracing it. In The City, Christianity is followed by 0.93%.

Transportation in Guwahati.

Airport: Guwahati has a single main airport, the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, which oversees and administers all air transport operations. The airport handles a huge number of flights from various parts of India. All major domestic flights fly into The City. The City has direct flights to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Bangalore, and the rest of the country. Leading airlines such as Indian Airlines, Sahara Airlines, and Jet Airways operate regular flights from major cities.

Railway: The city of Guwahati and the northeastern region are part of the Northeast Frontier Railway Zone of the Indian Railways. The City Junction, located in the Lakhtokia neighbourhood of The City, is the city’s main railway station. In addition to the main railway station, there are other smaller railway junctions and stations across the city.

Regular trains run between The City and the country’s major cities. Important trains to and from The City include the Rajdhani Express, Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express, Brahmaputra Express, Kamrup Express, Northeast Express, and Saraighat Express, which run at regular intervals. The Vivek Express, India’s longest-running train, travels from Dibrugarh in Upper Assam to Kanyakumari in the country’s south. It passes through The City Junction railway station.

Road Transportation: The National Highways NH 31 and NH 37 pass through Guwahati, linking the northeast with the rest of India. Guwahati serves as a hub for national highways connecting Assam to the rest of the Northeast. Roads connect the capital of the City with overseas destinations including Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. These highways also connect Guwahati to Assam’s other important cities. Road transportation services are employed for more than only transportation and tourism; they also convey commodities and supplies to Assam and other northeastern regions.

Buses are The City’s primary mode of public transit, accounting for a significant portion of intercity transportation and movement. ASTC and private buses transport passengers from one location to another around the city. Various bus stops are available throughout the city for simple transportation.

Furthermore, several bus companies run day and night buses fromThe City to adjacent cities and towns.