Northeast Diaries E05 : Guwahati – Gateway of the Northeastern India

by Adityam · November 17, 2016

Perhaps the most common name in our knowledge that happens to represent the whole of northeastern India is the city of Guwahati. Serving as a pathway to all the dwellers going to the other places of interests in this region of India, Guwahati city is a hub for all your solutions. Entertaining a busy crowd in the whole city right from the airport, bus station, railway station or the ferry ports; this city is a vital bridge connecting the logistically challenged areas of the other northeastern states to the mainstream landmass of India.

Guwahati has been recently listed as one of the top 20 cities of India that are to be polished into smart cities. Also the Guwahati railway station has been recently boosted with the Google initiative of providing free-and-fast WiFi to the commuters. Apart from these current upshots, the city is having one of the IIT’s and IIIT’s in it; and other premier institutes of the country. So you can surely make it out that even though we get to hear less and sometimes the least from the Northeast, the places are not that isolated as we expect them to be.

IIT Guwahati is one of the core IITs that is contributing towards excellence of technical education

Adding shine to the silverwares, the city has been recently gifted with an International cricket stadium built by the BCCI and the Assam Cricket Association at Barsapara. In its final phases of completion, the stadium shall start hosting some high profile matches from the New Year of 2017 onwards.

May look like the MCA, Australia; but it’s the newly built Barsapara Cricket Stadium

Besides that, the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium at Sarusajai has already hosted a series of top notch football tournaments and some classic clashes of the Northeast United FC (NEUFC) in the Hero-ISL. Home ground for the John Abraham owned NEUFC, the stadium witnesses the influx of all the football fans coming from the other northeastern states with the team’s flag and banner flying and waiving high. The stadium has been also very recently confirmed as one of the venues of the Fifa U-17 World Cup, 2017.

A glittering moment from the Inauguration of the Hero ISL – 2017

Step foot on the busy ports of Guwahati and witness the mighty Brahmaputra River from its bank. Just near to the Pandu Port is the famous Saraighat Bridge, connecting Guwahati with Lower Assam. It is here that the famous Saraighat Battle was fought between the Ahoms and the Mughals where the fearsome leadership of Bir Lachit Borphukan helped the Ahom Army defeat the Mughals and prevented them from invading this diversified land; and thus becoming one of the few areas where the Mughal architecture was not accessible.

The lifeline connecting Guwahati from the past 55 years – Saraighat Bridge.

Having access to all the destinations of the unexplored paradise, Guwahati has a strong hold over the tourist population. One has to get through here if you plan to visit some place of the Northeastern India. Providing some scenic routes both by road and railways, the trip to any of your destination plan here is something to fantasize about. The roads and surroundings so serene that you can achieve nothing but the peace of mind which is searched by all.

The most prominent fascinations in Guwahati you should try not skipping it will be :

Kamakhya Temple:

Stationed in the Nilachal Hills, this temple is dedicated to the Indian tantric goddesses and is one of the 108 Shaaktipeeths of India. The famous Ambubachi is held annualy in this temple around the mid-days of June. Devotees or Bhakts from every corner of the globe comes here during this mela and offers their respect to goddess Sati.

Assam State Zoo and Botanical Garden:

The largest and the oldest zoo in the Northeastern India, this wildlife hub is home to around 1000 species of animals, reptiles and birds; out of which many of them are endangered and indigenous species. Considered as one of the complete zoos, the place here nurtures a variety of free ranging wild species. Located from the dense population, the zoo has some convenient pricings as well as a promising ambience to cater the need of the visitors.

Umananda Island:

Ferry journey to the Island.

Being the world’s smallest inhabited island, Umananda is not that far and also not too close to Guwahati. Standing in between the Brahmaputra River, the island is well connected to the visitors with ferry/motor boat services. The island is also home to the Golden Langurs, which is considered very much sacred by the Himalayan people.

Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshtera:

Treasuring the artistic as well as the ethnic caliber of Assam, the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra is a cultural museum which entices tourists in large numbers. The cultural complex and its campus is a splendid interpretation of the life and the culture of ethnic groups of Assam. Named in the tribute of one of the greatest integrators of the Indian society Srimanta Sankardeva, the establishment here aims to preserve, promote and develop the rich cultural patrimony of the ethnic community of the state of Assam.

Tirupati Balaji Temple:

Built in resemblance of the famous Tirupati Temple of South India, the Balaji Temple is one of the center of Guwahati’s attraction. The whole temple is made of pure white marble stone. The glittering white colour adds more to the beauty of the temple.

Sualkuchi:

An ancient craft village and home to the famous silk heritage of Assam, Sualkuchi is just a 40min drive from Guwahati. The famous Mekhela Chador and the Gamusa made here is too high on demand in all parts of the world.