Guwahati is the largest city in the state of Assam. The name Guwahati is made of two words, 'Guwa' meaning areca nut and 'Haat' meaning market place. It has been an important administrative and trading center and river port, since the beginning. With the passage of time, it has grown to a considerable extent, establishing itself as the industrial, educational and commercial center of the region. Besides, the natural beauty it has been blessed with is simply awe inspiring. Situated on the banks of river Brahmaputra, it is one of the beautiful cities in India. As a matter of fact it is also referred to as the 'Gateway to North Eastern Region'.

Tourist Attractions

The major tourist attractions in Guwahati include Kamakhya Temple, which is situated on a Nilachal Hill. It was built in 10th century by Koch King Naranarayan. The temple still follows the tradition of animal sacrifice to appease the Gods. It is regarded as one of the important shrines of Shakti worship by tantriks. Besides, Umananda Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Assam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on an island. To reach the temple, one has to take a ferry or motor boat from Umananda Ghat. Another important shrine in Guwahati is Navgrah Temple.

Situated in east Guwahati, it was the ancient seat of astrology and astronomy as it is dedicated to the nine planets. Contained in a red beehive shaped dome, the central lingam is further surrounded by nine, to depict the celestial bodies. For wildlife enthusiasts, Guwahati Zoo is the ideal hangout. It is one of the richest wildlife havens in the country in terms of flora and fauna. The major attraction here are one horned Rhinoceros, Tigers and the Hoolock Gibbon. Moreover, to complete the tour, one must visit the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra.

It was built in 1990's and provides a glimpse of the review of the artistic excellence of the region. Around 12 km from the railway station, Vashistha Ashram is located. It is an interesting ancient shrine, which is said to be the abode the sage Vashistha once. Three beautiful streams Lalita, Kanta and Sandhya flow from here, making the site blissful. Besides, there are many museums in the city namely, the State Museum, Anthropological Museum, Forest Museum and Cottage Industries Museum. These places serve as the treasure houses of Assam's rich cultural past. The Guwahati Planetarium is one of the finest in the country and is an exciting site for all.

How to Reach
By Air: Guwahati has its own airport and is well connected to rest of the country with direct flights. The major cities it connects with include Delhi, Kolkata, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl, Dibrugarh and Jorhat.

By Rail: The city is an important terminus on the North Eastern Frontier Railway junction. Thus, it is well connected to rest of the country via train.

By Road: Guwahati is the hub of road network to the north eastern region and western parts of Assam.