Know about North East

:: GUWAHATI ::

Gateway to North East India.

Guwahati is a major city in eastern India, often considered as the gateway to the North-East Region (NER) of the country and is the largest city within the region. Dispur, the capital of the Indian state of Assam is situated within the city. Guwahati is one of the most rapidly growing cities in India. During past few decades, it has experienced unprecedented spatial expansion and steep rise in population. In fact according to a survey done by a UK media, Guwahati is among the first 100 fastest growing city of the world and is fifth fastest growing among Indian cities. 

Geographical Location : 24 Degree to 28 Degree North 90Degree to 96 Degree East
Climate :                         Sub Tropical Climatic condition 

Altitude :                        55 meters above sea level

Language :                    Assamese, Bengali, Hindi and English.
SIGHTSEEING IN GUWAHATI:

Kamakhya Temple:  

The Kamakhya Temple is a shakti temple situated on the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati city in Assam, India. It is the main temple in a complex of individual temples dedicated to different forms of the mother goddess that include Bhubaneshwari, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tara, etc. A unique festival observed here is the Ambubasi (Ameti) fertility festival in the month of June-July. It is believed that, the Goddess (mother Earth) undergoes her menstrual period during this period.At that time the temple is closed for three days and opened with great festivity on the fourth day. It is believed to be inauspicious to till the ground or to plant seeds, during this period.

Nabagraha Temple:

The temple of nine planets situated on Chitra Chal Hill in Guwahati. In ancient times, it was said to have been a great centre of study of astronomy and astrology. Enshrined in this temple are nine Shivalingams, representing the nine Celestial bodies, each covered with a colored garment symbolic of each of the celestial bodies. The nine planetary gods, namely area - Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu. There is Surya Mandir near Guwahati on the Surya Pahar hill. 

Umananda Temple:

The great Shiva temple situated on the Peacock Island (as named by some poetic British Administrator) in the middle of the Mighty Brahmaputra in Guwahati attracts devotees from all over the country during Shiva Ratri. Considered as one of the largest Beels in the Brahmaputra valley of lower Assam, the Beel is a natural habitat to many varieties of birds. 219 species of birds including more than 70 migratory species are reported in the beel area. Surveys have revealed 20 amphibian, 12 lizards, 18 snakes and 6 turtle and tortoise species in the beel.

Deepor Beel :  

Dipor Bil, also spelt Deepor Beel (Bil or Beel means "lake" in the local Assamese language), is located to the south-west of Guwahati city.It is a permanent freshwater lake, in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River, to the south of the main river. It is also called a wetland under the Ramsar Convention, which has listed the lake in November 2002, as a Ramsar Site for undertaking conservation measures based on its biological and environmental importance.

Basisthashram:

Situated in the southern-most rim of Guwahati city on the Sandhyachal hill is a well known holy cum picnic spot, called Basisthashram, after the great vedic Sage Bashistha, who is said to have lived here. Three rivulets named Sandhya, Lalita and Kanta meet here and flow perennially adding scenic grandeur to the place.

Madan Kamdev:

Madan Kamdev the "Khajuraho of East" is barely 40 kms. Away from the sprawling metropolis Guwahati, Madan Kamdev is an enigma, a mystery, a marvel and in the words of Omar Khayam, "a veil past which I could not see". Very little is known about the origin of these magnificient archaeological ruins. Kamrupa - the ancient name of Assam, is believed to have derived its name from the legend that love God Kama or Madan, after being turned into ashes by an angry Shiva, was reborn here. One believes that Madan was reborn and united to Rati on this tiny hillock. 

Chandubi Lake:

A natural lagoon and fine picnic spot which is 64 kms. from Guwahati. The lake and its surroundings is an ideal holiday resort with the added attraction of fishing and rowing. The place is easily accessible by bus from Guwahati.The best season to visit is from November to April.

Sualkuchi:  

Sualkuchi,32 kms from Guwahati,is one of the world's largest weaving villages often called the Manchester of the East.Assam produces three unique varieties of silks, the Golden Muga, the White Pat and the warm Eri. The entire population here is engaged in weaving exquisite silk fabrics. A renowned centre of silk production, particularly known for Muga - the golden silk of Assam, which is not, produced anywhere else in the world. 

Hajo: 

Located 32 kms. From Guwahati on the north bank of the Brahmaputra, it is a place where three religions meet - Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. It has a large number of temples, the chief among them being Hayagriva-Madhab Temple. There is a belief that this temple contains the relic of Lord Buddha, while a section of the Buddhist hold that Lord Buddha attained nirvana here. Large number of Bhutanese visit this temple every year during the winter season.There is a place of pilgrimage for Muslims here known as Poa-Mecca.According to mythology, the Pandavas had taken shelter in this region during their agyatvas or the period in hiding. One can see the stone bowl used by Bhima during this agyatvas. The famous mosque built by Pir Giasuddin Aulia and is held that it has one-fourth sanctity of Mecca and so it is known as Poa-Mecca. It is believed that by offering prayer a faithful gains one-fourth (poa) spiritual enlightenment of what could be gained at Mecca and so is known as Poa-Mecca.

TRANSPORT:

Nearest Rail-Head:	Guwahati Rail Station.
Nearest Airport :	Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport.
Road Highway:	Well connected with the rest of the country by National

:: The Begining ::