< Disclaimer> < Return To Issue Article Index >

Exploring India is always an experience of a lifetime and it may not be possible for one individual to cover the whole Indian subcontinent during lifespan. As many of us travel to experience and share some of the unique locations, I am trying to experience India’s northeastern region, which is still a mystery and is least explored.  Guwahati (also spelt as Gauhati) is the gateway to Assam and the Northeastern region is a fast growing metropolis and the most important city of Assam. Once known as “Pragjyotispura” or “Light of the East”, the city is situated on the southern bank of the river Brahmaputra.  Guwahati Is the nerve point of all the business activities of the whole northeastern region and also is the main educational center of the northeastern region.

Brahmaptura River

It remains pleasant all through the year but the best time to visit is between October and April.

Getting There:

Almost all the major international Air Lines fly to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi as well as other major touchdown points such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, Bangalore etc. from where a direct flight option is available for Guwahati. Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Air Sahara are the three major airplane operator within India and all of them have convenient connections to Guwahati. For accurate information on your scheduled date, please check with your travel agent for details or you can check www.airindia.com.

The city is also connected with almost all the major Railway stations of India and you can avail the option of arriving by train with Rajdhani Express running daily from New Delhi. The Guwahati Railway station is located in Paltanbazar, which is in the center of the city and the Assam State Transport Corporation Bus stand is adjacent to the Railway Station, which also has a Left Luggage Service (04:30am – 10:30pm). The Paltanbazar area is a place of various business activities and is chaotic too. It has some of the cheap hotels of the city and has share Taxi service for the airport from near the Hotel Nandan. Within the ASTC Bus Stand Complex, there is a Tourist Information Center run by Vraman Versa Holidays along with the Assam Tourism Development Corporation, which can provide you with the up-to-date information on the region and can also arrange for your stay (Ask for the Paying Guest Options) and sightseeing within the city and across the state.
.

What To See While In Guwahati: Kamakhya Temple: At distance of 8km from the town, the temple is situated in the Nilachal Hill overlooking the Brahmaputra River and the Guwahati City is one of the most important Shakti temple of India. Thousands of visitor’s offers prayers to Kamakhya everyday and the temple is being renovated in recent times with the objective of providing visitors with better facilities. It is one of very few temples in India who in spite of having strict Hindu rituals offers western tourist to visit the inner sanctum. Animal sacrifice is very much a part of the ritual here. It is believed that the blessings of Goddess Kamakhya may help a barren woman to bear child. Navagraha Temple: Located on top of a hill surrounded by trees and monitored by monkeys, Navagraha Temple or the “Temple of Nine Planets” is an ancient seat of Astrology and astronomy. Umananda Temple: It’s a Shiva Temple, which is located in the middle of the Brahmaputra River near Guwahati and said to be one of the smallest human inhabited river island in the world. The presence of few Golden Langoor attracts visitors to this temple. Assam State Museum: Located near the Standard Chartered Bank on the G.N.B Road, the museum displays various aspects of Assam’s Culture and has Epigraphy, Sculpture, Natural History, crafts and few other sections as well.

Jolporee: A luxury cruise vessel run by the Assam Tourism Development Corporation offers a thrilling river cruise experience on the Brahmaputra river which runs daily during the evening time.

Sualkuchi: 32 km from Guwahati on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River, Sualkuchi is famous for Assam Silk.
.

Accommodations: The city has plenty of options for the travelers. Standard Hotel option is available in Paltanbazar.Some of them are: Hotel Mahalaxmi (Ph: +91 361 2602063/2602508); Hotel Vikas International (Ph: +91 361 2600338/2635037/38/39); Hotel Nandan (Ph: +91 361 2522464/65/66); Anada Lodge (Ph: +91 361 2544832); Hotel Tibet (Ph: +91 361 2639600). In the Luxury range: Hotel Landmark (Ph: +91 361 2455248/2528218); Hotel Rajmahal (Ph:+91 361 2522476/2511602-607); Hotel Dynasty(Ph: +91 361 2510496-99); Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok(Ph: +91 361 2602282-85); Hotel Belle Vue(Ph: +91 361 2540847).

The Jolporee leaves on its night journey down the Brahmaptura River.

.
For Paying Guest Options call +91 361 2226908,09864042282. Best recommended for single woman travelers and budget class globetrotters.

Dining:

Guwahati offers a wide variety of eating options to choose from where most of the restaurants concentrating on Mughlai and Chinese food. If you are interested to taste the local Assamese cuisine visit Paradise in the Silpukhuri area of the city. Xica, another newly opened restaurant near Paradise offers Thai and Mexican dishes. If you are either Mexican or a Thai national, do visit to find out the taste.

Shopping:

Paltanbazar along with Panbazar and Fancy Bazar has the distinction of being the major shopping areas of the city. Some shops in Panbazar sells the Famous Muga Silk of Assam.

Emergency:

ISD /STD Code: 91 is the India Country code and 361 is the Guwahati code.

Police: 2540138,2540113

Ambulance: 2544356,2544357 (GLP Social Circle)

Fire Control: 2540222

Post Office: 
General Post Office (2541293), Near the State Bank of India, Panbazar. 

Telegraph Office: 

Central Telegraph Office (2542892), Panbazar.

Foreign Exchange:

Standard Chartered Bank (2540597/2632255), G.N.B. Road.
State Bank of India (2543576/2540634) 

Information Offices:

1. Directorate of Tourism, Station Road, Guwahati 781 001,Ph.: 2544475,
2. Assam Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., Ulubari, Guwahati 781 007,
Ph.: 2454421
3. Vraman Versa Holidays, # ATDC Information Center, ASTC Bus Complex,
Paltanbazar, Guwahati 781 007, Ph.: 2607058

Rajdeep Bhattacharjee is a Travel Writer and can be contacted at rajdeep@ecotourism.cc
...

< Send a Letter to the Editor > < Subscribe> < Submit An Article >< Disclaimer>