Guwahati :
Situated on the bank of the great river Brahmaputra, this fast growing city is the gateway to the North Eastern India. Guwahati is well connected by airand rail with New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. By road Guwahati is 2160kms from Delhi, 3104kms from Mumbai, 2688kms from Chennai. The famous shakti temple of mother goddess kamakhya is located on the Nilachal Hills,the ancient shiva temple of Umananda is situated on the Peacock island in the middle of the river Brahmaputra, the Nabagraha temple (temple of the nine planets), Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Balaji temple, Science Museum, Vasistha ashram (founded by famous sage Vasistha admidst idyllicnatural ppanorama), the State Museum, the State Zoo-cum-Botanical Garden,Planetarium, the Saraighat Bridge over the Brahmaputra, the Guwahati oil refinery, latchit Barphukan park and the Gauhati University are the place worth visiting in an around the city.
»Museum - Assam State Museum is 10 minutes walk from the Railway Station,Opening hours: 10.00 to 17.00hrs. during summer and 10.00 to 16.30hrs during winter (Monday closed).
» Vasisthashram - Hermitage of sage Vasistha and also an ideal picnic spot. Twelve kms. from Railway Station. City buses ply regularly.
» Nabagraha Temple - Three kms from Railway station. A temple of nine planets believed to be the ancient seat of study of astronomy. It can be easily reached by taxi or auto richshaw.
» Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra - Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra has been set up as a grand exposition of the life and culture of the people of Assam. Named after the greatest Vaishanava saint and the greatest integrator of the Assamese society Srimanta Sankardeva, the Kalakshetra is a multi-arts complex. It is chosenm as the venue for many cultural activities.
» Umananda Temple - A Shiva temple on anisland in the midst of the river Brahmputra. One can visit the temple by crossing the river by country boat plying from Kachari ghat.
» Madan Kamdev - Barely 40kms, away from the sprawling city of Guwahati, on N.H. 52 Madan Kamdev is an enigma, a mystery,a marvel and in the worlds of Omar Khayam, "a veil past which I could not see". Very little is known about the origin of this magnificent archaeological ruins. Written history is almost silent on it, leaving wide room for conjectures and hypothesis about its origin.
» Kamrupa - the ancient name of the assam, is believed to have derived from the legend that God of love Kama or Madan,after being turned into ashes by an angry "Shiva", was reborn here. One school believes that Madan was reborn and united to Rati on this tiny hillock.
How to get there : Baihata Chariali, 35kms, from Guwahati, is on the National Highway 52, Madan Kamdeva is 5kms to the South East of Baihata Chariali. Being on the National Highway, Baihata-Chariali iswell connected with buses which ply every 15 minutes from Guwahati. Taxis,Minibuses are also available. Transport at moderate rates can be hired from the travel agencies at Guwahati.
Where to stay : There is no hotel, restaurant or other places of accommodation at madan Kamdev due to its proximity to Guwahati. A visit or can spend a day and return to Guwahati the same day.
Season : From October to May
What to wear :Cotton in Summer and light Woolen in winter.
» Sualkuchi - Famous for Assam's silk industries(Muga & Pat) 32kms from Guwahati on the North Bank of Brahmaputra. Buses ply regularly from Adabari and Kachari.
» Hajo - A place where three religions Hinduism,Islam & Buddhism meet. 32kms away from Guwahati on the North bank of the Brahmaputra. It has a number of temples, the chief among them being the temple of Hayagrib Madhab. There is a belief that this temple contains there lic of Lord Buddha. A section of the Buddhist hold that Lord Buddha attained nirvana here. Large number of Bhutias visit this temple every year during the Winter season. There is believed also a mosque built by PirGiasuddin Aulia and it is also said it has one fourth sanctity of Mecca and so is known as Poa Mecca.
KasirangaNational Park :
The first National park in Assam situated in central Assam situated incentral Assam with an area of 430sq.kms. It is the home of the great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros (Unicornous). The landscape of Kaziranga is of sheer forest, elephant grass, rugged reeds, mellow marshes and shallow pools.
Wildlife - Rhinoceros, Elephant, Indian bison, Swampdeet, Sambar, Hog deer, Sloth bear, Tiger, Leopard, cat , Jungle cat, Hog Badger, Capped languer, Hoolock gibbon, Jackal, Goose, Hornbill, Ibis,Cormorant, Egret, Heron Fishing Egale and others.
Season - November to April.
Manas National Park :
A major Tiger Project, Manas is one of the India's most magnificent National Parks. It is situated on the bank of the river Manas with the back drop of the sub-Himalayan hills. The National Park is known for its unique combination of unparalleled scenic charm and a rare wealth of wildlife.Manas is one of the nine tiger reserves elevated watch tower one can see them yielding to their death wish and their little plumage dropping down.
Season - August to November
What to wear - Heavy woolen in winter. Cotton in summer
Other Attraction :
Exciting trekking in Borail hills. Visit to orchid garden. Tradition aldance and music of the tribals is an added attraction.
» Majuli - The biggest riverine island in the world. Majuli is famous for its Satras or Vaishnava monasteries which are the centre of learning, art and culture. The nearest ferry ghat Nimati ghatis only few km from Jorhat town. It is also famous for migratory birds and Mishing culture. Tourists intending to visit Majuli can stay in the Tourist lodge, Jorhat or in the Govt. Circuit House at Majuli.
Orang(Rajiv Gandhi) National Park :
A miniature Kaziranga, covering an area of 72sq.kms. The animals to be seen in this Park are one-horned Rhinoceros, Elephant, Leopard, Sambar, Barking Deer, Tiger, varieties of water birds, Green Pigeon, Florican, Teal, Goose etc.
Transport - Orang is 150kms from Guwahati on the north bank of the river Brahmputra and 32kms from Tezpur. Transport can bearranged from Guwahati & Tezpur.
Accommodation - There is a forest Rest House where tourists can stay. For reservat in, please contact the Divisional Forest Officer, Western Assam Wildlife Division, Tezpur, Dist. Sonipur (Assam). A tourist lodge is almost completed at Orang National Park which will be available soon.
Sivasagar :
Sivasagar is 369km towars east of Guwahati and a district headquarter of the same name. It is also leading tea and oil producing district. The Eastern Regional Headquarter of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission is located at Nazira 18kms from Sivasagar. Sivasagar was the capital of the migthy Ahoms who ruled Assam at a stretch for six hundred years before the advent of the British. It is a beautiful town located around the huge Sivasagar tank, an artificial lake constructed by queen Madambika in 1734A.D. The Shiva dol or Shiva temple on the bank of this tank is believed tobe the highest Shiva temple in India.
How to reach - Jorhat is the nearest airport (60kms) and Simulguri is the nearest railway station 920kms). Buses are available from Guwahati and other towns.
Where to stay - Tourist Lodge, Dak Bugalow, Govt. Circuit House, Hotel Siddhartha, Hotel Brahmaputra, ONGC Guest House and others.
What to see - The ancient temples and monuments to be seen at Sivasagar are Kareng Ghar and Talatal Ghar, Ranghar, Gargaon Palace,Joysagar Tank and Temple, Namdang Stone Bridge, Charaideo Maidam, Ajan PirDargah.
Nameri National Park :
Situated at the foot hills of the eastern Himalaya Nameri is the third National park of the state. Covering an area of 200sq.kms., Nameri is the treasure house of may endangered species of wildlife like the White-Winged Wood-Duck, Mahseer, Tiger, Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Sambar, Elephant, Gaur,Indian wild Dog, four varieties of Hornbill and varieties of birds. It is about 35kms from Tezpur town.
Where to stay - There is a Eco-Camp at Potasli and twoTourist Lodges at Bhalukpung.
Batadrawa - Batadraw or Bardowa is the birth place of the greatest Vaishnava Saint Srimanta Sankardev. Shrine and a centre of vaishavaart and culture. It is about 140kms from Guwahati and about 15kms from Nagaon town.
Dipu - The Hilly town is the district head quarter of the Karbi-Anglong district. Diphu is the centre of Karbi art and culture. The Karbis are one of the indigenous tribes of the state and they are well known for their hospitality and colorful culture. Both day and night buses plyr egularly from Guwahati to Diphu. It is also connected by rail service fromGuwahati.
Digboi - Surrounded by numerous tea gardens and mystic blue hills, Digboi is a major oil town. One of the oldest refineries of the world exists here. There is also a War Cemetry and a golf course in Digboi.
Dibru-Saikhowa NationalPark :
One of the fascinating National Parks of the state. Covering an area of 340sq.kms. Dibru-Saikhowa National Park is famous for its semi-wild horses and other wildlife like the White-Winged Wood-Duck , Tiger, Leopard,Elephant, Asiatic Buffalo, Slow Loris, Clouded Leopard, Hoolock Gibbon and more then 250 varieties of birds. The park is only 13kms away from Tinsukiatown.
Season - November to April
Tezpur :
By its unique location and picturesque setting on the north bank of the majestic river Brahmaputra, Tezpur can be considered as one of the most beautiful town of the state. Tezpur can also be remembered for the legend of princess Usha, the daughter of King Bana and for prince Aniruddha, the grandsons of Lord Krishna for their eternal love and romance. It is 181kms from Guwahati Buses ply regularly from Guwahati & other towns of the state, the nearest railhead is Rangapara and airport is Salonibari.
Bhalukpung :
Situated on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, Bhalukpung is known for its unique natural beauty and rafting. Far from the madding crowd.Bhalukpung is a place of peace and tranquility. It is only 56kms. from Tezpur town. Mini buses ply regularly to Bhalumlung from Tezpur. It is the entry point to Bomdila and Tawang. For Comfortable stay there are two Tourist Lodges run by Assam Tourism. There is also a Eco-Camp at Potasalinear Bhalukpung
