www.raahi.com
Hi Guest! Welcome to
India's leading travel community
Sign in | Sign up

search

Keyword
e.g. Taj Palace, Hotel Himani
Search in section
  
 
 
 

To see and do in Guwahati (Dispur)

nothing lonely about the planet
Travel Guide » Asia » India » Guwahati (Dispur)
Explore: The World | India
 
Guwahati
book a hotel
(Assam)


By the Mighty Bramhaputra

An unfathomable river courses wildly along this city as ancient hills look on verdantly from the sides. It is a remote town, well connected yet largely unexplored. That is Guwahati for you. Hailed as the Gateway to the Northeast, this city hardly features prominently on the itinerant's map despite it being undeniable as to how much it has on offer - cruises on the Brahmaputra, occult practices in age-old temples, undulating tea estates, meeting tribals upclose, and of course a glimpse of the lord of the Kaziranga, the one-horned rhino. Guwahati, alike its Northeastern cousins, has a pristine beauty, waiting for that beholder with an eye to appreciate?
book a hotel
|
Getting There
|
to see and do
|
Entertainment & Night Life
|
To See & Do

raahi.com 		 
Temples
  Kamakhya Temple Up on the Nilachal Hill is this ancient temple dedicated to the Mother Goddess. King Nara Narayana of Cooch Behar built the present structure in 1665, but its history goes way beyond. Legend has it that when Lord Shiva carried the charred corpse of his wife, Sati (after she jumped into the sacrificial fire raised by her father), her genitalia (yoni) fell here. Animal sacrifices are a regular feature here and occult has a strong hold. Umananda Temple This island temple in the middle of the Brahmaputra on Peacock Island is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Motorboats from Kachari Ghat on MG Road will ferry you here. The Shivratri festival sees people throng to the temple for a special darshan. Nabagraha Temple An unusual temple, the presiding deities here are the nine grahas or planets, symbolized by nine lingas. On Chitrachal Hill, it is also a centre for the study of astrology and astronomy. Aswaklanta Also along the Brahmaputra bank, this is where Arjuna (third of the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharata fame) is believed to have watered his horse while undertaking a journey during the Ashwamedh Yajna. Regular ferry services are available. Basisthashram This is where Sage Bashistha is believed to have lived. Up in the Sandhyachal Hill, the place is very picturesque with gurgling streams and forest cover. Basisthashram is 12 km from the railway station.

raahi.com 		 
Lakes
  Deepor beel Visit this freshwater lake for a splendid view of the distant hills. The Ahom kings apparently used it to dock their ships. Winter sees flocks of migratory birds descending here. Chandubi Are you looking for a serene spot to spend your leisure? Then this natural lagoon about 64 km from Guwahati, will provide you the perfect holiday haven. Be ready with your hook and line for fishing or row quietly on a hired boat or best, sit by the lakeside and lose your self in a trance!

raahi.com 		 
Others
  Shankardev Kalakshetra This art academy hosts festivals of dance, music and theatre. It has a Central Museum which showcases various day-to-day articles used by different ethnic groups. There is an open-air theatre and an Artists' Village that is the recreation of a rural township. Guwahati Tea Auction Center (GTAC) The largest auction in India, you can attend it with prior permission. Call 2224516/ 544462 for more details.

raahi.com 		 
Festivals
  Bihu (April) The city comes alive during the harvest festival. The most colourful is Rongali Bihu, to celebrate the advent of spring. Women dress in new mekhela chadors (two-piece saris) and dance to the tunes played by the men on traditional folk instruments Shivratri (March): The best place to view this festival is the Umananda Temple where celebrations continue till the wee hours. Ambubachi Mela (June/July): Held at the Kamakhya Temple, it marks the end of the Goddess's menstrual cycle.
 
 
Home |  About us |  Feedback  |  Contact us  |  Sitemap |  Disclaimer |  Terms of service  |  Report abuse |  We are hiring |  Book flights |  Advertise with us
About Raahi.com
Raahi provides unbiased reviews, recommendations, opinions on hotels, resorts, guest house, bed and breakfast (B&B) etc. along with online hotel bookings/reservations.
Read reviews & rating of hotels by real travelers before you book.
Make a smarter choice!



 
Best viewed in 1024 x 768 pixels screen resolution and IE 6.0 and above