Guwahati
Guwahati is one of the oldest urban regions in India. It is the largest city in Assam and is known as the ‘gateway to North East India”. It is an excellent combination of a rapidly growing urban area and a natural retreat.
Guwahati: Historical Background
The name Guwahati is the combination of two Assamese words “Guwa” which means areca nut and “haat” which means marketplace. The origin of this city goes back to the age of the Indian Puranas making it one of the oldest cities in Asia. According to epigraphic sources, Guwahati was chosen as the capital of many ancient Indian kingdoms. According to the Mahabharata, the great Indian epic, Kings Narakasura and Bhagadatta chose this city as their capital.
The ancient names of Guwahati were Pragjyotispura and Durjopura which mean the “City of Astrology” and the “City of Lights”.
Guwahati: The city of temples, a wildlife retreat and a shopper’s delight
Guwahati is home to many ancient Indian temples like the Kaakhya temple, Navagraha, Lankeshwar temple, Rudreshwar temple and the Basista Temple. Most of these temples are considered World Heritage sites by The UNESO and receive the same appreciation as the Khajuraho temples of Central India.
Guwahati is located on the banks of India’s longest river, the Brahmaputra. The foothills of Shillong along with the river make it a great wildlife retreat. It also consists of popular wildlife sanctuaries and reserves that house some rare and protected wildlife species.
Read More: List Of Things That You Must Do In Guwahati Trip
People and Culture
Guwahati supports tribal dance, music and art forms. Because of various ethno-cultural groups that live in and around Guwahati, one can experience a great blend of culture here. Assamese is the local language in Guwahati.
Bihu and Durga Puja, Ambubachi Mela are the most important festivals in Guwahati.
Popular Local food and shopping stuff
Local markets are always recommended if you want to feel the culture of a place. There must be many food vendors on street and local handicrafts or popular things.
Guwahati is also the home of fashion with imports coming in from various parts of the world. The city is flooded with shopping malls and markets where one can buy clothing, handicrafts and local artifacts.
You can try variety of dishes like Momos, Chowmein, Silkworms, Lucchi, Thukpa & Khaar in the street of Guwahati and of course don’t miss the sip of Assam Tea here.
Climate and best time to visit
Guwahati has a humid sub tropical climate. Therefore, the best time to visit the city is during the cold, dry months between November and March.
Availability of Accommodation Type
There are various type of accommodations in Guwahati, that includes resorts, different categories hotels and homestay. Also, a few of the vendors provides campaign tours in and around Guwahati.
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