Assam Tourism

ASSAM, India - "The Gateway to North-East India"

Temperature:

Summer: 18°C to 37°C; Winter: 7°C to 26°C

Best Time to Visit:

From October to April. The torrential monsoon period (July to August) is best avoided as the swollen Brahmaputra causes havoc in its wake.

GUWAHATI :

Guwahati, the capital city of the northeastern state of Assam, was formerly known as Pragjyotishpur (the City of Eastern Light).  Located on the bank of the Brahmaputra River, Guwahati is also the largest city of Assam. This city is also the second largest metropolitan area in entire Eastern India. The gateway to the seven other northeastern states, Guwahati is a vital tourist link point, besides being an attraction in itself.

SOME ATTRACTIONS OF GUWAHATI

Kamakhya Temple - The Kamakhya Temple is a Sati Pith 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 as the Dasa Mahavidya, including Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tripura Sundari and Tara. It is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and Tantric worshipers.

Kalakshetra - Shankardev Kalakshetra is an Assamese cultural museum in the Panjabari area of Guwahati, India. It includes an art gallery and a children's park. It is named after the great Vaishnavite reformer of Assam, Shankardeva. The artistic excellence of Assam and rest of the north-eastern region is displayed here.

Balaji Temple - Tirupati Balaji is a magnificent temple at Lokhra, near Guwahati, in Assam. It is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, and is a holy place for the pilgrims from the north-east. The sanctums of Lord Ganesh, Lord Balaji and Goddess Durga can also be seen here. The architecture of this temple is unique, and takes after the South Indian temples.

Nabagraha Temple - The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is worshipped here in the form of nine shivlings, representing the nine planetary gods of Hinduism. Each shivling is wrapped in a cloth having a specific color. Each of these colors symbolizes one of the nine planets. The temple was built in 1752.

Sukresvara Temple - This temple is situated on the banks of Brahmaputra River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It contains one of the largest Linga in India. This temple was constructed in AD 1744.

Assam State Museum - Established in 1940, it is one of the biggest multipurpose museums in the country. The museum has separate sections for archaeology, epigraphy, numismatics and iconography. The collection includes archaeological, wooden and bell-metal objects, ivory, terracotta, pith, tribal objects and dioramas of tribal life. Painting, old textiles, arms and weapons, ethnographic objects and stone sculptures are the other artifacts on display.

River Cruise – A River Cruise on the mighty Brahmaputra is a wonderful opportunity to get a feel of this legendary river. Catch the ferry travelling between Sukheshwar Ghat and North Guwahati or travel a little more stylishly in one of the state tourisms run vessels.

Hajo - "A Multi-Faith Pilgrimage Centre"

It is the largest fresh Water mid-river deltoid island in the world. It is situated in the upper reaches of the river Brahmaputra in Assam. This Island, with a population of 1.6 Lakhs, majority being tribal, is endowed with rich heritage and has been the abode of the neo-vaishnavite Cultural. The island is a bio-diversity hotspot and has rich ecology with rare species of flora and fauna. Majuli for the past five centuries has been the cultural capital of Assam. The main depositories of cultural and spiritual heritage are the Sattras, which are just like Gurukul (hermitages) of yore. Here up to 400 celibates’ stay for life preserving spiritual and cultural heritage, renouncing worldly desires. From the time of the great Vaishnavite renaissance of 14th and 15th century AD, under Srimanta Sankardeva, Srimanta Madhab Deva and other saints this island became the seat of Vaishnavite religion, art and Cultural. The famous Satriya Nritya (Dance) and Ankiya Bhaona (Traditional Drama) created by Sankardeva are now Internationally acclaimed and Nationally honoured. Majuli is equally famous for Tribal Folk Cultural and Heritage. It is said to be the cradle of Missing and Deori Culturals. Explore in and around Majuli. 

Visit - Dakhinpat Satra, Bengenaati Satra, Shamaguri Satra and the Garamurh Satra and  also visit - Missing tribal village.

SIVSAGAR -"Imprints of Ahom Dynasty"

Wildlife:

Kaziranga National Park:

In the heart of Assam, located on the banks of the mighty Brahamputra River. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals, including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds. With Open country covered mostly with elephant grass, Kaziranga gives visitors a chance to see the fauna at fairly close quarters. The total number of rhinoceros in the park is 70 percent of the total population of this species in the world. The values and criteria made Kaziranga National Park to get inscribed in the World Heritage Site List 1985.

Jeep Safari: Jeep Safari available from 1st November to 30th April. Jeep Safari is from 7.30am to 9.30am & 2pm to 3.30pm.

Elephant Safari: Elephant Safari is available from 1st November to 30th April. First ride is from 5.15am to 6.15 am and Second ride is from 6.30am to 7.30am from November to April (unless census may be scheduled).

Range:  1- Kohora (Central) Range. 2- Bagori (Western) Range. 3- Agoratoli (Eastern) Range. 4- Burapahar (Ghoraketi) Range. 5- Panbari Reserved Forest.

Nameri National Park:

Nameri National Park is located in the foothills of the eastern ranges of the Himalayan Mountain Range. The forests are home to a host of different animals. The national park is home to a substantial population of elephants. Some of the other animals that can be seen here are leopards, bisons, wild boars, black bears, giant squirrels, capped langurs and sloth bears. There are a few species of birds that are present here as well. One can see hornbills, wood ducks, plovers, bee eaters and babblers. Safaris can be arranged in the park and this is the best way to see the place. Jeeps and SUVs are used for these safari rides and they are protected on all sides with an iron grill.

The park is also home to evergreen forests and they are lush green for many months of the year. Some of the most popular activities in the park include white water rafting and angling. There are several spots that are ideal for angling. However, one has to obtain permission from the forest department for angling. Families can also swim and sunbathe in certain sections of the park.

Manas National Park:

Manas National Park, a project Tiger Reserve and a World heritage Site, is 176 Km. north-west of Guwahati. Other denizens of the dense jungles here are the one – horned rhinos, tigers, hispid hare, gaurs, pygmy hogs and rare golden langurs. It’s a paradise for birdwatchers for it has a stunning selection of avian life.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve in the Morigaon district of the state of Assam in India. It is located about 30 km east of Guwahati. The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is about 48 km by road from Guwahati. It is a 1-hour drive through a road passing by River Brahmaputra, and a small portion of the village of Mayong. It has a dense population of the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros. Though the total notified area of the park is 38.80 square kilometres, only 16 square kilometres is the effective rhino habitat. Pobitora was declared a reserved forest in 1971 and a wildlife sanctuary in 1987. It covers flat flood plains and a hillock.