Guwahati Tourism

The gateway to the North-East - Guwahati Tourism

A sprawling city located beside the mighty Brahmaputra, Guwahati is the epitome of an amalgamation of ancient history and modernization. The largest city in all of Assam, Guwahati stands as the gateway to the Seven Sisters of North East India. A city shaped by time itself, Guwahati is home to age-old temples that take you centuries back to the pages of ancient history, but it also boasts of a cutthroat lifestyle and an electric nightlife, keeping up with the modern era of urbanisation and commercialization. The gushing Brahmaputra river carries with it untold tales from thousands of years past, and the peaceful ambience lingering in the city despite its modern lifestyle is one of the main reasons you should visit Guwahati if only to get a slice-of-life experience of the vivacious juxtaposition of the old and the new.

Guwahati is home to a huge number of old temples, all of which have interesting stories and legends behind them. The Kamakhya temple, arguably the most visited temple in the city, is a temple dedicated to the goddess Kamakhya, who was also known as the goddess of desire. Associated with a legend that finds its way in the pages of history, this temple hosts the annual Manasha Puja and the Ambubachi Mela, celebrations which see pilgrims from far and wide congregating to attend them. Other temples in Guwahati worth visiting include the Umananda temple and the Navagraha temple.

If you?re curious about the local folklore and culture, a visit to the Assam State Museum, which houses artefacts belonging to ancient times, will give you an authentic taste of the local history and its development through the years.

The Guwahati Zoo, also known as the Assam State Zoo, is the biggest zoo in the entirety of North East India and houses a huge number of animals such as monkeys, rhinos and pelicans, as well as a wide variety of exotic flora and fauna.

What's Great?

Beautiful landscape, diversity in culture (and cuisine ).

What's not so Great?

Poor waste management, poor drainage system in monsoons, traffic congestion in some parts of the city.

For Whom

Guwahati is a blend of new and old cultures. Perfect for adventure lovers. Ideal vacation spot for people from eastern India and North Bengal.

Nightlife in Guwahati

The nightlife in Guwahati is surely an experience in itself. Sundown. The city offers a diverse range of dazzling experiences, be it the usual party freaks or those who are in pursuit of peace. The streets of Guwahati has a lot to excite you, especially during the wee hours. Lively crowds waiting to be entertained, the pub ? party culture is growing in an accelerated fashion. Terra Maya, Underdoggs, Kamakaze and Café Hendrix are some of the hyped up places that are open till sunrise, serving surplus liquor and exotic food for the best party time. If you are not feeling for all ? night ? long ? raves, you can walk around the central city to discover delicious street food and spend a relaxing time in Chandubi Wetland. Several parks are open for strolling and often offers boating experiences under the moonlight. The old world charm mixed with metropolitan gloss fledges after the sun goes down. Steaming hot momos, bustling nightclubs, free-flowing alcohol, serenading strolls and charismatic restaurants serving the best taste constitutes the nightlife in Guwahati.

Shopping In Guwahati

Home of the silk cottage industry, the city, offers two of the largest commercial markets for shopping ? Pan Bazar and Fancy Bazar. Cane Work, woollen shawls, handlooms, handicrafts and Naga/Manipuri jackets are favourite shopping list items that attract shoppers from all around India.The city offers budget shopping destination ranging up-to exclusive brands and showrooms.

1. Fancy Bazar - The most popular hub for street shopping, this is a market for all sorts of buys. The market is divided into various sections that focus on a particular type of item for example ? apparels, shoes, electronics and food bazaars. The best place to buy household items in the market is CM complex. It offers a wide range of products at reasonable price. Fancy is the largest market in Guwahati and challenges some of the most significant marketplaces in India.

2. Paan bazar - Situated around the Nehru Park, the bazaar is a must stop for book and apparel shoppers. It is not as much diverse but focuses on traditional materials that are often a bit difficult to find in commercial markets. It also encloses food stops for the hungry shoppers with snack foods and drinks.

3. Maligaon Market - The name of this place straightaway takes the mind of people to its very popular steamed momos. With a wide variety of restaurant and food stalls, if you want to try real eastern food, here?s the place for you. It also has a market that offers various goods ranging from textiles to commercial materials.

4. GS Road Market - If you are up for some exclusive shopping brands, this place has it all. From national brands such as Allen Solly to Puma, it hosts stores of International goods such as Bottega Veneta and Furla. The holiday season offers huge discounts and people often visit this marketplace during off - seasons for good quality clothes at low prices.

5. Paltan Bazaar - This is the place where you can buy furniture and home decoration materials. Also, this market is famous for the different varieties of Assam Tea and Darjeeling tea.

Gateway to the North-East

Situated on the banks of the river Brahmaputra, Guwahati is a perfect blend of natural beauty, tradition and culture. The largest city in North East India, Guwahati is scattered with several interesting temples of high religious importance including the Kamakhya temple, thus earning the name 'city of temples'. Located on the eastern fringes of the Himalayas, Guwahati was formerly known as Pragjyotishpur or the City of Eastern Lights. A picturesque city, Guwahati is a hotspot of diversity and rich in flora and fauna which adds to the charm of the city.

Adventure in the hills

The city of Guwahati is a must-visit for adventure lovers. From elephant safari in the Kaziranga National Park to a cruise on the Brahmaputra, Guwahati is a perfect city to indulge in activities like trekking, mountain climbing, and angling. The more adventurous spirits can further enhance their thrill by indulging in mountain biking. The excitement and thrill of the sport make mountain biking the most popular sport in Guwahati.The sport is also promoted by several bicycle and motorcycle rallies organized by the state's tourism department.

Itinerary

Day 1 -You will arrive in the City by air or road transport, check in to your hotel and gear up for some sightseeing. Hire a cab from private taxi services such as Prime Cabs and tour around the city. Visit the Kamakhya Temple on top of Nilachal hill. After that, you can visit the Guwahati Planetarium which is located at a distance of half an hour from Kamakhya Temple. The drive to the place is very serene as you can enjoy the peaceful Brahmaputra river seashore drive.

Day 2 -Start your day by visiting the Assam state museum, a peaceful drive up in the valley. You can make a quick stop for some snacks with chai. Dighalipukhuri is also a must visit in the morning as you can enjoy the scenery and peacefulness in the early hours. Take a quick cab to the Fancy market and enjoy your day sunning and shopping. While driving back to the hotel, get yourself a quick takeaway from Paradise restaurant for dinner.

Day 3 -Catch a local bus the next day to Shrimanta Shankardeva Kalakshetra and explore the rich heritage of Assam. Pay a visit to Ugratara Temple and Bura Jame Masjid for some religious experiences and finish your day with a night spent out in Tera Mayaa on GS road.

Best Time To Visit

What is the best time to visit Guwahati?

October to April are the best months to visit Guwahati. One might also want to plan their visit around the Bihu festivals during April, January and September- October, to see a unique and enjoyable side of Assam.

Weather in Guwahati

Guwahati in Summer (April-May)

The temperature in summers ranges between 30- 40 *C. Though the humid climate makes the mornings uncomfortable for tourists, summer evenings are pleasant. Bihu, the city's biggest festival is celebrated during this season.

Guwahati in Monsoon (June - September)

Monsoon brings about moderate climate with high rainfall in the region. Though it's a good time to hang out, high rainfall may disrupt normal life due to water logging in the city. Forest safaris are not allowed during this season either.

Guwahati in Winter (October - March)

This is the best time to visit Guwahati due to the comfortable weather. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of nature and also enjoy a jungle safari in this season.

Monthly Weather in Guwahati

Month Avg. Minimum (*C) Avg. Maximum (*C) January 12 26 February 14 28 March 17 29 April 21 30 May 24 32 June 25 32 July 26 32 August 26 35 September 25 34 October 23 33 November 18 30 December 14 27

Restaurants and Local Food in Guwahati

Guwahati is where much of Assam's city glitter resides. So, while most of the other towns in the state will offer you local preparations in local food joints and a few restaurants, Guwahati sparkles with choices only a commercially developed city can offer.

Guwahati sustains the local Assamese foods in its menu such as Nga-Thongba which is a fish and ginger curry, Erongba, a jackfruit-kernel chutney, Laksa and a lot more, and at the same time offers everything from Indian, Mughlai, Chinese to Continental cuisines and a few more.

Indulge yourself in the pastas, pizzas, cakes and pasteries widely available in the area. You can also relax and enjoy in a number of bars and pubs that the city has to offer.