Guwahati is the capital of the state of Assam and is also known as the gateway to North-East India. It is a bustling city beside the Brahmaputra river and is one of the largest cities in the Northeast. With the best places to visit in Guwahati, the destination offers recreational activities and retreats.
The region consists of green hills, tea plantations, religious places, art workshops, and educational institutions. One of the highlights of a trip to Guwahati is the authentic Assamese food.
The best places to visit in Guwahati are-
1. Kamakhya Temple
A visit to Guwahati remains incomplete without exploring this temple. The Kamakhya Temple is located on the Nilachal hills, about 7 km from the main city. This is one of the popular places to visit in Guwahati as it is a site of great religious, historical, and archaeological importance.
Dedicated to Devi Kamakhya, goddess of desire, the temple is one of the oldest Shakti Pithas in India. It is also one of the vital Hindu pilgrimage spots. It has multiple interesting legends and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Guwahati.
2. Umananda Temple
Located on Peacock island, Umanada temple is a sight to behold. It features high in the best places to visit in Guwahati dedicated to Lord Shiva. The mighty river, the Brahmaputra, surrounds the temple. It sees hordes of devotees throughout the year who visit the shrine to ward off their sins and seek the lord’s blessings.
For an amazing time check out 13 fun places to experience nightlife in Guwahati
3. Sukreshwar Ghat
Sukreshwar Ghat is a stunning temple situated alongside a vibrant ghat and is home to many religious ascetics. It is a serene destination where tourists come to relax and unwind in the beauty of the river flowing by. It offers a combination of peace and spirituality. The temple close to the ghat was constructed in 1744 by the King of Assam, Prammata Singh. It is one of the popular religious sites in Guwahati and experiences a large footfall that offers prayers during Magh Bihu. If you are looking for an ecstatic and fulfilling spot, this is among the best places in Guwahati.
4. Nehru Park
Located within the city, it can offer tourists an escape from the chaos of the city. The park has an activity area for children and rows of vibrant flowers. Its most striking features are the many statues depicting various dance forms and folklore. The park also has an open-air theatre where local artists perform their crafts and talents every evening. If you are looking for relaxing places to visit in Guwahati, Nehru Park should be at the top.
After the sight seeing you can check out the 11 Best Places to Shop in Guwahati
5. Basistha Ashram and Temple
Basistha Ashram and Temple was once home to Basistha Muni, the head priest of Lord Ramchandra. He was known to do penance, get accomplishments and attain salvation. There are many prominent folktales related to the temple. A tributary of Ganga also flows close by to the Ashram.
The Ganga aarti, which takes place thrice a day, is a spiritual experience. Tourists can spend hours on the temple premises taking in the beauty and essence of the Ashram and its spiritual atmosphere. If you are looking for a profound divine experience, Basistha Temple should be on your list of places to visit in Guwahati.
6. Assam State Museum
Image Credits- www.tripuntold.com
Renowned as one of the richest repositories of antiques, the Assam State Museum is known as one of the biggest museums in India. It is situated in the scenic locales of Dighalipukhuri. It was built in 1940 and boasted of being one of the oldest museums in North-East India. It should be on the list of history buffs as their top picks for places to visit in Guwahati. Many important archaeological finds, precious gemstones, and jewellery are perfectly preserved.
To relish the local food check out 10 Street Foods in Guwahati You Absolutely Must Try
7. Assam State Zoo
Popularised as the largest zoo in North-East India, it is situated in the Hengrabari Reserve Forest. It is one of the exciting places to visit in Guwahati. It is home to a wide variety of birds, animals, and the very popular one-horned Rhinoceros. It is a popular tourist attraction site if you are a wildlife enthusiast. It is also called the green lung of Guwahati. This bio-reserve is a nice place to indulge in many nature-centric activities and encourages animal conservation.
8. Shraddhanjali Kanan
A popular open-air garden situated in Tarun Nagar, Shraddhanjali Kanan is a fun and exciting place to visit in Guwahati. There are many colourful and vibrant rows of flowers of wide varieties. It is a popular spot for yoga and fitness enthusiasts in the morning and evening.
Moreover, the children’s play area is equipped with swings and other playground equipment to keep kids busy. The laser and musical show is a spectacle to watch. Additionally, many concerts are organised in the open-air theatre on weekends.
9. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is a delight for all nature lovers in the Mayang Village in the Morigaon district. It ranks high among the popular places to visit in Guwahati for couples.
The natural reserve offers some memorable sights of the great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros found in a considerably high population. It boasts incredible biodiversity and you should add it to your itinerary for places to visit in Guwahati.
Situated on the Chitrachal hill, Navagraha Temple is known as an abode for prominent celestial bodies. The temple is home to 9 phallic emblems representing the astrological connection with deities. It happens to be a research centre constantly revolving around the subjects of astronomy and astrology.
Tourists are attracted to the temple due to its religious significance. Along with this, travellers research ample information about its history and how it survived an earthquake.
11. Saraighat Bridge
Saraighat Bridge is a rail-com-road bridge over the Brahmaputra river. The bridge’s construction started in 1958 and was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. The bridge connects Northeast India with the rest of the mainland. It has been named to commemorate the famous battle of local hero Lachit Barphukan against the Mughal rule.
This is a first-of-its-kind bridge in India and is considered one of the beautiful places to visit in Guwahati. The bridge is a testament to engineering and Assam’s rich history. Moreover, it offers a breathtaking sunrise and sunset view over the Brahmaputra.
12. Guwahati Planetarium
Image Credits- www.holidify.com
For lovers of astronomy and space, it is easily one of the best places to visit in Guwahati. It attracts a good amount of visitors every day. It is an enthusiastic retreat for people with an endearing love for the universe and knowledge about planetary systems. Along with enhancing your knowledge of the solar system, it is also a popular astronomical research center.
In a nutshell, Guwahati is a city with a dynamic variety of striking tourist spots. The favourable time for places to visit in Guwahati is between October to early April. However, booking is duly suggested to enjoy a relaxing stay. The city’s ancient architecture along the riverine view makes it a cherishable experience for anyone planning to visit.
