To spend a wonderful vacation in the wilderness, hearing the chirping of birds, listening to the whispers of wind, excited by the sound of gushing river and set the clock back to let your mind race to the past, you need to be at Guwahati, Assam. Situated on Brahmaputra River banks, Guwahati is a paradise for nature lovers. The majestic Himalayan ranges and the famous Brahmaputra River provide a stunning landscape and the rich cultural background of the place combine to provide you with unique experience, which will remain in your memories forever. You will not be short of tourist attractions in the land; neither will you find the place to be short of entertainment. Guwahati offers the best and it is indeed a tough task to decide on what to see and what to miss, if your vacation is short.
Here are the top 10 places to visit in Guwahati, which you would not want to miss on your next tour to the place.
1. Umananda Temple
One of the most important temples of Guwahati, Umananda Temple is situated on Peacock Island in the middle of Brahmaputra River. The temple belongs to the 17th century and it was constructed by Bar Phukan Garhganya Handique. Since the temple is at the center of River Brahmaputra, it can be accessed only on ferries or motor launches. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the sculptures and engravings depict other gods namely Surya, Ganesha and Devi. The walls of the temple are wonderfully engraved and sculpted, which stand proof of the artisanship of the people of the past.
2. Guwahati Planetarium
Guwahati Planetarium is located on MG road. It is one of the popular tourist destinations in Guwahati. The planetarium conducts sky watching sessions regularly. Viewers are delighted by special shows projected here.
3. Kamakhya Temple
Kamakhya Temple is situated 7 km away from Guwahati on Nilachal Hills. The temple was reconstructed in the year 1565 after it was destructed by Kala Pahar. The temple has several myths associated with it. Kamakhya Temple complex houses five temples inside it. The temple gains more importance, as in this place of worship, Aryans and non-Aryans follow common practices and hold common beliefs.
4. State Museum Guwahati
Located at the heart of the city Guwahati, the Assam State Museum is one of the important tourist attractions of the place. This museum was established in the year 1940 by the Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiti. It is said to be one of the biggest multipurpose museums in the country. The museum exhibits different sections like epigraphy, sculptures, crafts, natural history and folk art forms. The most rare and antique collections are being displayed here which makes this museum quite a unique one. The sculptures showcased here are generally made of stone, metal, wood and terracotta. The collections of ivory paintings, royal garments, coins, bamboo items and musical instruments are the eye-catching items of the museum. There is also a library in the museum where one can find a rich collection of books, journals and periodicals related to culture, art, biography, mythology and other fields. The book lovers would definitely be excited about this section as it offers the option of sitting and reading several new books.
5. Nehru Park
Nehru Park is an ideal location if you are here with your family. The serene atmosphere spell bounds you. You could grasp the essence of the life and culture of the people of Assam. The concrete statues depict various dances namely Bihu, Deodhani, Bor Taal and Ojapali. The park has excellent facilities to entertain children. There are various rides to keep the children amused. You will love the rock garden here. Yet another specialty of the park is the open-air theatre.
6. Green Wood Resort
Just 15 minutes from the railway station and a little less than an hour away from the airport, the Greenwood Resort is greatly famous of the nature resorts in Guwahati. Spread in an area of about 55 acres, the resort is an ideal location for get-together, corporate outings and business meetings. With one auditorium/hall and 5 lawns inside the property, the place is becoming the top choice of almost everyone in Guwahati for any occasion that one may have.
Serving amazing food through the day, the resort also offers a roster of amazing services like parking, swimming pool and orchid garden alongside a bar on the property. You can find rooms belonging to 6 different classes, to suit everyone’s need here.
7. Sankardev Kalakshetra Museum
In the Panjabari area of Guwahati, there is a cultural institution known as the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Museum, or just Kalakshetra. The institution is in the name of a famous playwright and poet of the medieval period called Srimanta Sankaradev. He was also a follower of the Vaishnava religion, and some people even consider him a vaishnavite saint. This is a nonprofit cultural institution which, apart from the museum includes library, and various preserving facilities. There is even a children’s park within the premises of institution. The museum exhibits different types of items which are used by the diversified ethnic groups of Assam. A number of cultural objects of the state are also displayed in the museum. There is an open air theatre in the premises, where traditional dance and drama are performed. The idea in the institution as well as the museum is to preserve the diversity of the state without harming the unity of it. The architecture of the place also reflects the cultural heritage of Assam.
8. Alfresco Grand Cruise
Alfresco Grand Cruise, gear up to visit the most scenic place in Guwahati. Visit an evening river cruise on the Brahmaputra rivers to witness the most beautiful Sunset and sunrise scenes along with great mills with your loved ones. Enjoy the delights of live music and cultural activities like folk dance and music for the most splendid evening. It is surely the most memorable activity on the trip.
9. Guwahati Zoo
Also known as Assam State Zoo cum Botanical Garden, Guwahati Zoo is spread over a large area of 432 acres of land. The zoo is a habitat of more than 890 animals, reptiles and birds from across the world. Some popular wild creatures that you can expect to see here are leopard cat, one-horned rhino, tiger, clouded leopard, golden langur, Himalayan black bear, elephant and hoolock gibbon. The place is ideal sightseeing choice for someone who has a keen interest in nature and wildlife.
10. Digholi Pukhuri
The city of Guwahati has a beautiful man-made pond which is rectangular in shape and is named as the Digholi Pukhuri. The history attached to this pond says that is was created by Bhagadatta who constructed it by digging a canal from River Brahmaputra. This canal was used by the Ahoms as the naval yard during the ancient times. Today it is one of the prominent tourist spots of the city where you can enjoy boat rides and other recreational activities. There is also a children park within the lake complex. The couples have a gala time here sitting beside the lake and spending some time with their loved ones.
This place is also an ideal one for organizing a family get together where you get to rejoice with everyone amidst a beautiful ambience. It is also a place where activities like rowing championships are held. The lake offers a breathtaking view during the evenings when the place is lit up with several lights. There is a café near this lake where you can relax and enjoy coffee after relishing the boat ride. Capture some really good moments spent here with your family.