Guwahati, the starting point straddling either banks of the Brahmaputra, Guwahati-said to be the legendary Pragiyotishpur or city of Eastern Light is a bustling, busy and crowded city.

Guwahati word is formed by 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.

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. 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.

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.

Places to See:
Sualkuchi - It 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.

How to Get There
Air: Guwahati airport is situated 18-km east of the centre, and is served by taxis and airport buses, including those run by Indian airlines.

Rail: The railway station is in the centre of town with the state bus stand right behind and operates a very useful left luggage service. The back of the railway station leads into the Paltan Bazaar area, from which most of the private bus companies operate.

Road: Guwahati is the connector city of NH - 31, 37 and 40 with the other cities of India by road. Buses ply from Guwahati around the cities of Northeast India by National Highways. State Transport Express and Super Express buses of Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal, Nagaland, and North Bengal ply from Guwahati

Places to Visit in Assam
Guwahati, Kaziranga, Tezpur