Tourism in Guwahati: Things to do in Guwahati

Guwahati is the capital city of the northeastern state of Assam. It’s called the ‘Gateway to North-East India.’ The city is the largest city in Assam and the largest metropolis in the North-Eastern region of India. Couched between the picturesque hills of the eastern flanks of the Himalayan mountain range, Guwahati houses the state's political capital, Dispur.

Besides being an attraction, Guwahati Assam India is a vital tourist link point. Major cities in India connect with Guwahati via air or train, making it one of the top-visited destinations in Assam. Moreover, lakhs of pilgrims travel to Guwahati as it houses numerous ancient temples, especially during Ambubachi Mela every year.

If you are planning a trip, we have put together a travel guide that will help you know about Guwahati Tourism plus help you plan your trip efficiently.

Guwahati History

Guwahati is the birthplace of Kamadeva, the God of Love, and thus, there is a magical aura that still lingers over the ever-expanding city. People say that the demon king Narakasura built this ancient city. Another reason for Guwahati's charm is its ancient 'Kamrup.' Besides, the town was once the British administration location as well, after which it started to take its present form. In 1824, the British took over the city from the Burmese and established their first station in Assam in the Nilachal Hills, Kamakhya.

Location

Situated on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra, Guwahati is the junction of three important roads, National Highways 31, 37, and 40. It is split into two parts by the river, and North Guwahati is almost a separate town. One can visit via the Saraighat Bridge or the ferries on the river.

Fairs & Festivals of Guwahati

The most notable festival here is the Bohag Bihu, which marks the beginning of the Assamese New Year and falls sometime in mid-April. Various local delicacies like pithas, larus, and other sweetmeats are available. All these preparations are vegetarian.

The Durga Puja, celebrated in October, is another major festival. In June-July, the famous Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya temple attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country.

Best Time to Visit Guwahati

Guwahati has a humid subtropical climate, which offers an average annual temperature of 24°C with an extreme temperature known to have touched the 40°C mark. In addition, Guwahati has a good network of hills surrounding it, which further contributes to the subtropical topography of the region.

Before your Guwahati travel, it is crucial to know about the best time to travel to Guwahati to plan your trip better. Take a look.

Summer in Guwahati

Summers in this northeastern city start from April and stay only till the next month. During this time, the temperature can increase to a scorching reading of 40°C, making Guwahati weather hot and daytime visits to the city a sweaty affair.

Monsoon in Guwahati

Monsoon season brings a moderate amount of rainfall to this city. It starts in June and continues till September. Thus, some favorable months to hang out and explore the whereabouts of Guwahati.

Winter in Guwahati

Winters in Guwahati offer a chilled atmosphere for tourists to explore its attractions. The cold spell starts in November, and it continues till February. Guwahati temperature readings during these months can drop till 5°C, making this season the best time to visit Guwahati.

How to Reach Guwahati

By Air

BY AIR -

The city of Guwahati has Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport to deal with all the flights coming to its land daily. The airport is also known as Guwahati International Airport and connects to the major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore with Guwahati. It also operates flights from international destinations like Bangkok and Paro.

By Train

BY RAIL -

If you are traveling to Guwahati by rail, then Guwahati junction would be your end destination. It operates regular trains from different parts of India to Guwahati. Trains to Guwahati include Rajdhani Express, Northeast Express, and Brahmaputra Mail from the capital city of New Delhi, Bangalore Express from Bangalore, Kamrup Express from Kolkata, and Dadar Express from Mumbai.

By Road

BY ROAD -

The nearby states of Guwahati like West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar offer connectivity through a good network of national highways running across them.

Tourist Attractions in Guwahati

Guwahati, set beside the mighty Brahmaputra River, featuring shrines of Hindu deities and home to abundant natural beauty, has many places to visit. While planning a trip, here are some Guwahati tourist places you can choose -

Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati

Situated atop the Nilachal hill, Kamakhya Devi Temple is one of the important attractions in Guwahati Assam Tourism. It is considered the most sacred among the tantrik shrines of Shakti worship in the world. Built in the 10th century by the Koch king, Naranarayan, a common practice is to offer an animal sacrifice to appease the Goddess. Above Kamakhya is another small temple, Bhubaneshwari, where one can have a bird's eye view of the city.

Umananda Temple

The Shiva temple of Umananda, reached by motorboats and public ferries from Umananda Ghat, stands on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra. The Ahom King Gadadhar Singha built this temple, a devout Shaivite. The temple is located on a mountain known as Bhasmacala.

Navagraha Temple

Atop a hill in east Guwahati is the Navagraha temple - the "temple of the nine planets"- an ancient seat of astrology and astronomy. The central lingam is encircled by nine planets. In addition, two more were added, Rahu and Ketu, the dragon's head and the dragon's tail, or the ascending and descending nodes of the moon.

Vashistha Ashram

This Guwahati attraction is an old shrine with plenty of vegetation and three beautiful streams, Lalita, Kanta, and Sandhya. It is said to have been the abode of sage Vashistha.

Assam Zoo Guwahati

Among the best places to visit in Guwahati, Assam is the largest natural zoo in the country to witness the rich flora and fauna it entails.

Museums of Guwahati

The State Museum, Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum, and Cottage Industries Museum are treasure houses of Assam's rich cultural past.

Guwahati Planetarium

The Guwahati planetarium, a center for astronomical education and research, is located on MG Road and is one of the country's finest.

Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra

To complete one's tour of Guwahati, one must visit the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra. Built in the 1990s, this modern complex at Panjabari provides a one-stop review of the artistic excellence of the region.

Places Around Guwahati

The Manas wildlife sanctuary, 176 km from the city, is situated on the banks of river Manas. It is the only tiger project of its kind in Assam.
Pobitora, a small wildlife sanctuary 60 km from Guwahati, is also worth visiting. Rhino and various species of deer abound here.
Hajo, 25 km west of Guwahati, is sacred for Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists. The town also boasts the Hayagriva Madhava Temple, accessible via a long stone stairway. A large pond inhabited by one of Hajo's oldest residents is a giant turtle at the foot of the stairway. Hajo is also renowned for its bell metalwork.
Chandubi, 64 km from the city, is a natural lagoon and a good Guwahati picnic spot, 64 km from Guwahati. The lake is a perfect holiday resort, with ample fishing and rowing opportunities.
Madan Kamdev, about 35 km from Guwahati, is famous for its impressive archeological ruins and the Durga temple dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries.
Sualkuchi, 32 km from Guwahati, is a village where almost all the inhabitants are weavers, involved in the traditional art of silk weaving. Tezpur is 181 km east of Guwahati and is a town of both historical importance and adventure sports.
Barpeta, 185 km from Guwahati, is notable for the monastery and shrine dedicated to the Vaishnavite saint, Sankardeva.

Accommodation in Guwahati

Being a popular tourist destination in North East India, Guwahati has a great collection of hotels. From jungle resorts to homestays, you can stay at a place that piques your interests. The overall hospitality and comfort are guaranteed. Here are the top places to stay in Guwahati during your trip -

Brahmaputra Jungle Resort
Zizina Resorts
Prabhakar Guest House
Spring Valley Resort
Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati
Greenwood Resort

Want to experience the local culture of the northeast, book Guwahati tour packages with TOI. Avail excellent services like smooth transfers, delicious meals, comfortable stays, and 24x7 assistance throughout your tour.