Top 10 Tourist Places in Guwahati, Assam
Have you planned anything for your upcoming vacation? Is your child demanding you to take him to new tourist places in Guwahati, Assam? Or you want to plan something new and venture to new places with your friends in 2020? If so, you can definitely choose Guwahati city in Assam, India as a place to visit and experience a whole lot of new things!
Reasons to visit tourist places in Guwahati
When you thing for a vacation, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Beautiful places, good climate, good food, comfortable lodging, budget travel, fun places, places of historical importance- well, Guwahati has these all! And of course, what about your Social media pop ups! That’s a priority to have some good photographs after a nice break time, right? And the truth is you will find a whole lot of resources in these top tourist places in Guwahati to blow up your Instagram!
Guwahati- one of the most happening cities in India is surrounded by many places, famous temples, historical monuments, beautiful gardens, wildlife sanctuaries, hills and mountains, lakes and the list goes on. Along with these places of tourists interest this capital city of Assam also holds some very trendy and cool places, restaurants and bars, cafes, night clubs, pubs and discos and many other things to move you through.
Top 10 tourist places in Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple
In the list of the places to visit in Guwahati, Kamakhya temple comes first. Kamakhya temple or Kamakhya Devalaya is a Hindu temple in the name of mother Goddess Kamakhya and is considered as one of the four primary shakti peethas.
History says, it is the place where the yoni (gentile) of mother Goddess Parvati fell after Lord Shiva danced with her corpse being emotionally scattered after her death. Kamakhya temple is situated on the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati city. It is a combination of temples dedicated to ten Mahavidyas of Shaktism: Kali, Tara, Sodashi, Bhuvneshwari, Bagalmukhi, Bhairavi, Chinnamashta, Dhumavati, Matang and Kamalatmika. With a hemispherical dome at the top of the temple and with main four chambers- garbhagriha and three mandapas, the architecture of the temple gives a mixed indigenous structure. Kamakhya temple is considered as a very important and vital place in Hinduism and especially for tantra worshiping practices.
The Ambubachi mela is a religious fair held every year in Kamakhya temple in the middle of June. This mela is significantly important and influential for the Hindu devotees. Every year lakhs of people from around the world gathered in Guwahati’s Kamakhya temple to attend Ambubachi mela. It is believed that the presiding goddess of the temple, Devi Kamakhya goes through her annual cycle of menstruation during this time of Ambubachi mela.
Basistha Temple
Basistha temple is actually a temple for Lord Shiva and with an Ashram of few Bighas of land. It is located in the south-east corner of Guwahati city and near Garbhanga Reserve Forest. According to history the Shiva temple was built by Ahom King Rajeshwar Singha in 1764 and the Ashram was founded by great saint Basistha. It is said that saint Basistha used to live here, do meditation and he even died in the cave situated in the Ashram. This Ashram is named after the name of saint Basistha. The history of the Basistha Ashram where the temple is located dates back to the Vedic age that is when the Vedas where composed which are considered as the oldest Sanskrit literature.
Along with the temple, the Ashram has a beautiful waterfall which enhances the charm of the place and makes it one of the best tourist’s spots in Guwahati. Three rivers namely Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta are said to have joint this waterfall and flown away through river Bharalu across the city. Not only tourist but this place is popular among the local people as well. Residents of Guwahati and nearby people are often seen here for picnics and outings.
Dipor bil
Dipor bil (Deepor Beel) is a beautipul freshwater lake located to the south west of Guwahati city. It is considered as one of the largest lakes in Brahmaputra valley and a must visit tourist place in Guwahati. The beel has water spread area of about 10.1 km2, which extends up to 40 km2 during flood. This area is full of various water plants such as water hyacinth, water lilies, aquatic grasses and various other species.
The main attraction of this lake is that it is a natural habitat of many local and migratory birds. About 219 species of birds including more than 70 migratory species are reported in the beel area specially in the winter season from the month of December till April. The place is a great choice for picnic, small tours and boat ride. When you will feel the cold breeze while riding a small boat on the calm water of Dipor bil, all your stress will be vanished. The fresh and air and the green environment will blow your mind.
Umananda
Umananda island (or Peacock island as named by British for its structure) is the smallest river island of the world and is situated in the midst the river Brahmaputra. The island has a Shiva-Parvati temple which is named after the Hindu Goddess Uma that is Parvati, and the whole attraction of the island is seemed to be concentrated there.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva created this island for the happiness of his wife Parvati. As mentioned in Kalika Purana (a mythological text in Hinduism describing various mythological facts, religious beliefs and traditional lore), lord Shiva burnt Kamdeva (another Hindu God) whith his third eye in this island. That is why the island is also called Bhasmachal, Bhasma means ash and achal means hills. In the rule of Ahom kings in Assam, the temple was build which was damaged later on by earthquake and was again reconstructed by a local merchant.
You need to do a short travel by boat through river Brahmaputra and walk few steps to reach the temple. You can have a quite walk around the island after praying in the temple and buy fresh fruits, fish and other locally grown organic vegetables, handicrafts and handlooms. Umananda is also the habitat of the rare species of golden langur. As the island gets much of its glory by the Shiva-Parvati temple, Mahashivratri is widely celebrated here. Many people from the nearby areas along with tourist visit the temple in this occasion and pray there. The island looks like a small fair with colourful lights, music, food and gathering of people at this time.
Kaziranga National Park
Do you like adventure? Do you want to go for some jeep safaris, elephant safaris, tracking and have some good time amidst the nature? Do you want to see the world famous one horn rhino? If yes, you should definitely not miss the tour to Kaziranga national park.
Kaziranga is one of the best tourist spots in Assam which is situated around 190km away from Guwahati and about a 3hr journey from Guwahati. It is one of the most popular places to visit near Guwahati and a must visit place for the people who likes wildlife. Kaziranga national park is distributed in a 430 sqkms land and gives some of the best natural views. It is a habitat of various of animals, reptiles, birds and other wildlife species along with the famous one horn rhino. The whole area is covered with dense forest, many rare orchids, medicinal plants and elephant-grass meadows. It is surrounded by tea gardens, rice fields, grounds with mustard seeds plantation and the national highway 37 passes by, enhancing the natural beauty of the whole area to a greater level.
Moreover, there are few beautiful resorts in and near Kaziranga with good lodging and fooding facilities where you can stay comfortably and enjoy your days thoroughly. You can taste famous Assam tea, traditional food, can enjoy traditional festivals, dance, music and can be delighted in the barbeque nights at the resorts.
Very near to the Kaziranga national park there is an Orchid garden and botanical park. Many orchids from the hills of Northeast of India and other parts of the world are collected here. If you are a lover of orchids and want to know in details about them you should definitely visit this place. This place also has a museum where many traditional items, handicrafts, traditional cloths, traditional instruments used by the local tribes of Assam and Northeast of India are preserved carefully.
Assam is famous not only for its locally grown organic high quality tea, but also famous for its handicrafts and handlooms. So if you want to buy something traditional and carry a memory with you, then you check this place. You will find good options here.
Shrimanta Shankardeva Kalakshetra
Shrimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra is a cultural institute situated in the Panjbari road in Guwahati city. It was built in the year 1990 and is named after Shrimanta Shankardeva- a saint-scholar, poet, playwright, social-religious reformer and the establisher of Assamese Naba Baishnav Dharma. Shrimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra has a huge museum, a library, auditoriums, stages and other facilities where the traditional and ancient Assamese culture has been preserved and showcased. The colourful culture and traditions of Assam and other North eastern states of India are displayed very beautifully here. The authority at Shrimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra often organises various festivals, exhibitions, plays and fairs where the Assamese culture is practised and showed to the world. It is a well maintained establishment in the centre of the city and one of the most preferable tourist places in Guwahati.
Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden
Assam State Zoo Cum Botanical Garden was established in the year 1957 and opened for public visit in the year 1958. It is spread across 432 acre of land and is situated at the Hengrabari Reserved Forest. The zoo has about 895 animals, birds and reptiles representing almost 113 species of animals and birds from around the world. It has a snake house too where many snakes of different breeds have been preserved safely. Along with tiger, elephant, deer, beer, giraffe, zebra etc. the zoo also has many rare species of monkeys, birds, reptiles and amphibians. With a children park, green surroundings and the wide area, not only children but adults will also love to visit this place.
Accoland- Non stop fun
Accoland in Garbhanga F.V. near Guwahati airport is one of the biggest amusement park in the entire northeast of India. If you are visiting Guwahati in summer days or if you are searching for a place especially for your kids then Accoland is the place which can satisfy you to the fullest. Located at a distance of about 2km from Guwahati airport it is a huge area with lots of rides, games, fun elements and a big water ride. This park was inaugurated in 2005 and is a real fun place which is situated in the outskirts of Guwahati city and thus a little away from the hustle bustle of the busy city life. The park is well maintained and is designed beautifully like a castle. It offers a lot of facilities for enjoyment amidst the beautiful natural views of the hills and the greens and people of all ages can be amused to experience that. With the big water ride, the dancing fairy ride, the pirate ship ride, the tornado water play system, baby train, rockin rola and many more Accoland covers a large area. The sky train at the height of nine meter is a wonderful ride you can enjoy with family. Accoland is a must visit place in Guwahati, especially in summer days.
Manas National Park
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary situated at the Baksa district of Assam is an UNESCO natural world heritage site and a precious property for Assam as well as India. Manas National Park is famous as a tiger reserve. It is the natural habitat of elephants, wild water buffalo, hispid hare, pygmy hog and the rare species of golden langur. Many rare species of orchids are also seen there in the forest. The dense forest fills with musical humming with the chirping of the local and migratory birds. Manas National Park covers an area of about 950km2and located in the Himalayan foothills. The national park derived its name from river Manas that passes through the national park and is named after Goddess Manasa, and a major tributary of river Brahmaputra.
Near Manas National Park there are small to big resorts, hotels and home stays where you can have a comfortable stay with good food, nice interiors and other staying facilities that will be followed by various traditional dance, music, food, festivals, bonfire, boat rides and many more. Manas Wildlife Sanctuary is indeed one of the top tourist places in Guwahati.
Nehru Park, Guwahati
Nehru park, one of the major parks in Guwahati is a wide open area with children’s play ground, jogging track and a beautiful garden with flowers and grasses. Nehru park is situated opposite to Cotton collage, Guwahati and a very popular place for the students to hang out with friends. Named after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, this park is decorated with 45 beautiful statues that represent various Assamese dance forms, culture and tradition. This park in the centre of Guwahati city is not only popular among the local Guwahatians but also being loved by tourists.
It’s time for Shopping!
So after you have visited all the famous tourist spots in Guwahati, would you not like to carry few things as memories? If you are in Guwahati and want to shop hard, Fancy bazaar will be the best place. From cloths, jewelleries, shoes, home decor items, kitchen appliances, furniture to electronic items- you will find anything and everything you want to buy in Fancy Bazaar. If you want to go for something traditional, then Fancy bazaar has that option too. You can buy traditional Assamese jewelleries, Assam silk, Assamese traditional dress- Mekhela Sador, Assam tea, traditional bamboo and wooden crafts, decorative items, clay pots and many more.
The street food stalls in Fancy bazaar are a major attraction of the market. The tasty yummy foods, drinks and beverages can satisfy your taste buds to the fullest. Situated beside the river Brahmaputra, this market in Guwahati is an ultimate destination for the shopping lovers. Moreover many of the high rated hotels in Guwahati has their establishment near Fancy bazaar, so it indeed has become a very well connected place for the tourist who can stay there, get good transportation facilities to the other places in and near Guwahati and quest the thrust of shopping in Fancy bazaar.
Along with Fancy bazaar there are several other markets in Guwahati that are also popular among the locals. Uzan bazaar in the northern part of the city, Ganeshguri market near Dispur-the capital of Assam, Adabari market- specially known for wholesale of vegetables and fruits are also some of the busy markets in Guwahai.
Distance of the tourist places in Guwahati from Guwahati railway station and Guwahati airport and plan accordingly:
| Tourist Places in Guwahati city | Distance from Guwahati railway station | Distance from Guwahati airport | Modes of public transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden | 5km | 28.2km | Cab, taxi, rented cars, city buses,auto |
| Kamakhya Temple | 8km | 17.3km | Cab, taxi, rented cars, city buses,auto |
| Basistha Temple | 11.4km | 33.4km | Cab, taxi, rented cars, city buses,auto |
| Dipor bil | 12.4km | 15.4km | Cab, taxi, rented cars, city buses,auto |
| Shrimanta Shankardev Kalakshetra | 9.9km | 35.5km | Cab, taxi, rented cars, city buses,auto |
| Nehru Park | 1.1km | 21.9km | Cab, taxi, rented cars, city buses,auto, by walk |
| Kaziranga National Park | 190.1km | 213.4km | Rented cars, Buses |
| Umananda | 2.3km | 22km | Rented cars, Buses, boats |
| Manas National Park | 133km | 138km | Rented cars, Buses, taxi |
| Accoland Amusement And Water Park | 21.2 km | 4.9 km | Rented cars, Buses, taxi |
| Shillong | 95.5km | 118.8km | Rented cars, Buses, taxi |
Do you want to visit Shillong- the Scotland of East?
If you are searching for best tourist’s places in Guwahati and making a plan to visit Guwahati, you must extend your plan to visit Shillong as well. Guwahati being the central place in Assam can be considered as the door to the other north eastern states of India, Shillong in Meghalaya being one of them.
The dancing clouds, the cold breeze, the blue sky, the colourful flowers and orchids, the beautiful waterfalls, the green hills, the pine trees, the heavenly view of cherry blossom, the hospitality of the innocent Khasi people, the homely environment, the quit and calm surroundings or the exotic traditional food- what do you need to blow your mind? Shillong can provide you all. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. And it derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped at the Shillong Peak. Being situated at a height of about 1496 meters, Shillong gives a relief to its visitors pleasing them with the soothing climate. Sohra or Cherapunji, Mawsynram, Mawlynnong- the cleanest village in Asia, Umiam lake, Borapani, Elephant fall, Shillong peak, Wards lake, David Scott trail, 7 sisters falls, Kyllang rock, Litlum canyons, Shillong lake, Jowai etc are some places to visit in and near Shillong.
It is the gateway to Cherrapunjee- the place with the highest rainfall. Cherrapunjee is also known as Sohra and is a high-altitude town in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. It’s known for its living root bridges, naturally formed from rubber trees. It is about a 1.5hr journey from the city of Shillong. Along with this the whole state of Meghalaya is the home of many naturally created caves, waterfalls, mountains and hills and crystal clear lakes.
Ready to pack your bags for tourist places in Guwahati?
There are a lot of places in the world that are full of real beauty, trill and unique resources of happiness but less explored or unexplored. North east of India is one of them. So next time when you are planning for a vacation, rather than going for the typical tourist destinations, why don’t you think for the places to visit in Guwahati and other places in north east of India. Trust us, it will be real fun!
