Guwahati has several places of historical interest. Perhaps
the biggest attraction is the Kamakhya Temple atop Nilachal hill, where the
Goddess Kamakhya is worshipped and which commands a majestic view of the city
and the river. Guwahati is actually two words: Guwa meaning areca nuts. Although
guwahati is the most important commercial hub of the region, this capital of
Assam is located at the adjoining township of Dispur.
The ponds here are home to giant turtles which are quite Used to being fed by
visitors. Another temple which draws people is the Shiva temple on the island.
There other centres of religious and archeological interest such as the temples
of Nabagraha and Basista as well as of Janardhana. Those who are interested
in cruises can take one, either on the ferries that travels regularly between
sulkheshwr Ghat and North Guwahati or travels style in the vessels of the statement
Museum is a must for visitors, with exhibits which date to the 7th Centuries
A.D. stone sculptures and bronzes.
Day Trips in Guwahati
Sualkuchi is an hour's drive from Guwahati and produces the golden silken
thread for which Assam is famous. One can see the silk begins its journey from
the cocoon stage, to its unraveling and then to the loom and finally as a saree
or the traditional Mekhala Chador, the two piece saree, which women wear on
festive occasions.
Hajo, 25 kms west of Guwahati, is the site of the Pua-Mecca mosque, setup
by an Iraqi prince who turned preacher and traveled all the way to Assam in
the 12th century to spread the prophet's teaching. Hajo is revered by Muslims
and Hindu's for in the town is the Hayagriba Madhava Temple reached by way of
a long stone stairway. At the base of the stairway is a large pond where resides
one of the town is also well-known for its bell-metal work, of plates and serving
bowls.
Madan kamdev About 35km away, is an archaeological site where erotic
sculptures and other stone carvings abound.
Shopping Pleasures In Guwahati
Guwahati is the commercial capital of the North east. Its markets are busy and
noisy and well stocked, especially with local handicraft sand handloom for handicraft
item include the State Government department store, Pragiyotika at Ambari as
well as many privately owned shops in Pan Bazar and Fancy Bazar, two of the
main commercial markets, that sell a range of items- from muga silk to bell
metal, canework to woollen shawls and elegant Naga and Manipur jackets
